More Joy in the Theo Marks

The Theo Marks (Sebring Sprint) fits perfectly into the program of the top Sydney horses in the Spring.

The last decade alone has provided mostly G1/G2 winners as victors in the Theo Marks leave alone those who run the placings. See where the winner has come from and might go to?

• 2005 – PARATROOPERS 3g (Commands x Crew) ($4.50 fav)

Jockey: Darren Beadman, Trainer: John Hawkes

Barrier: 8, Weight: 52.0kg

Gross Time: 1:16.84, 600m Sectional: 33.98

Margin: 1.8L, Track: Good, Starters: 9

2nd: Perfect Promise (54.0kg), 3rd: Outback Prince (54.0kg)

Timeform Rating: 124

What a lovely little grey horse Mark I. He was crucified by illness and injury in a career which should have gone on much longer than 21 starts. But before those problems set in, this was his prep. After a 3yo quality win he was set for and won the Golden Rose in a race which was nearly the best of a great series of Roses to date. In his year he defeated Racing To Win, Pendragon, God's Own & Carry On Cutie – all G1 or G2 winners in the end. But as a gelding there was no cotton wool for him. A fortnight later he ran in the Theo Marks, coming back 100m in trip which may have been the reason for the good odds. This field was no pushover either with Desert War amongst them but Beadman rode him like a WFA horse, up on the speed and ready to unleash. He came home in a blistering 33.98 seconds – is it any wonder the backmarkers couldn't catch him. An easy Stan Fox win was followed by one of the most famous Caulfield Guineas of them all when he looked home until God's Own somehow found a way.

• 2006 – RACING TO WIN 4g (Encosta de Lago x Surrealist) ($2.35 fav)

Jockey: Glen Boss, Trainer: John O'Shea

Barrier: 5, Weight: 58.5kg

Gross Time: 1:16.47, 600m Sectional: 34.79

Margin: 1.5L, Track: Dead, Starters: 11

2nd: New Edge (52.5kg), 3rd: Regal Cheer (55.0kg)

Timeform Rating: 125

What a lovely little grey horse Mark II. This fella had many a stoush with Paratroopers but in the end he too would find injury and illness very annoying. However he has been able to at least fulfil much of the ambition of connections taking a hand full of G1s and still racing on to this day. He was put aside after that Golden Rose and came back the next Autumn to clean up with Hobartville, George Ryder and Doncaster Hcp memories. He then kicked off in a star studded Warwick Stks at Randwick with only Court's In Session able to hold him out. Like Paratroopers he came back the 100m to the Theo Marks but the difference was he sat back beyond midfield. Some margin back early he made ground then unfurled that burst we know he has to charge over the field and win in good time on a dead track. The George Main was a doddle, the Epsom a dogfight with Desert War on the big boy's turf (Hcp@Randwick) before disappointment in the Cox Plate.

• 2007 – ABANDONED DUE TO EI

• 2008 – HURRIED CHOICE 4m (Choisir x Hustle Bustle) ($8)

Jockey: Jeff Lloyd, Trainer: David Payne

Barrier: 9, Weight: 52.0kg

Gross Time: 1:17.14, 600m Sectional: 35.48

Margin: 0.2L, Track: Good, Starters: 9

2nd: Forensics (55.5kg), 3rd: Ice Chariot (55.5kg)

Timeform Rating: 115

This filly as she was at the time was quite unique as she was one of the last to race before EI struck when 4th in the San Domenico and was one of the first to resume at Rosehill four months later. David Payne got them a pearler when he said they all needed time. She was obviously a stout lass because she would take a few to get ready for a big run. That was the case here are being around the mark in the Premiere and Concorde sprints. This Theo Marks was devoid of speed as it contained quite a few backmarkers and stayer resuming. Somewhat uncharacteristically Lloyd took her to the front and controlled it. Hoystar was backed into a short quote but was terrible. Lloyd lifted the winner late but the later the better as she'd only had one go beyond 1200 before and it was a poor 10th in the Hobartville. With no weight she held off former Slipper & Golden Rose winner Forensics who would take another G1 at Flemington in November.

• 2009 – RACING TO WIN 7g (Encosta de Lago x Surrealist) ($6.50)

Jockey: High Bowman, Trainer: John O'Shea

Barrier: 11, Weight: 60.0kg

Gross Time: 1:22.18, 600m Sectional: 34.98

Margin: 1.8L, Track: Good, Starters: 11

2nd: Rock Kingdom (52.0kg), 3rd: Triple Honour (54.5kg)

Timeform Rating: 126

The great old horse was seemingly always on the comeback from injury. At his best even these days, he was a dangerous horse to dismiss. After just missing in the Doomben Cup in the winter he had a spell and came back when unlucky in the Warwick Stks. But having won this race before as far back as 2006, he was still $6.50 for this edition. Madness at the start as Newport nearly did his naughty trick again but the jock held on as Dreamscape and Friday Creek took it up early. Racing to Win was still well back even into the straight but with the 60kg he needed luck. Bowman rode him superbly, getting splits off heels at the furlong just as Rock Kingdom was hailed the winner. That would be his last win as he'd disappoint when odds on in the George Main then a struggle there after. What a top little grey horse he was winning countless G1s.

• 2010 – MORE JOYOUS 4m (More Than Ready x Sunday Joy) ($2.10 fav)

Jockey: Corey Brown, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse

Barrier: 9, Weight: 54.5kg

Gross Time: 1:22.16, 600m Sectional: 33.31

Margin: 3.5L, Track: Good, Starters: 11

2nd: Rothesay (52.5kg), 3rd: Drumbeats (53.0kg)

Timeform Rating: 122

Generally good horses win this race. Under whatever name and over whatever distance, class often uses this as the lead up to the George Main. No exception in 2010. Gai set the top mare for what would be a Cox Plate preparation but first up she got right back in the Sheraco before charging home. However that methodology won't win too many WFA races. So she went to the front in the Sebring (Theo Marks). While the well backed Rothesay was cluttered away on the fence, Brown had her idling in front, controlling at the right tempo. She simply outsprinted them, roaring away by near four lengths. More Joyous was at the top of her game, continuing her great trot in Sydney races.

RACE PREVIEW

o Run at 1400m for the second time since 1984.

o Great race for the big Sydney stables.

o Pretty good race for favourites or horses in the market.

o Hurried Choice was the first female winner since Mamzelle Pedrille in '96, then More Joyous soon after.

o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner – 4yo (5 times)

o Last 10 Winners Average Weight of winner – 55.5kg

o Last 10 Years Winningest Barrier Range <9-12> - 4 times

o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner – $5.60

o Breakdown of winners – 6 geldings, 2 mares & 1 entire

o Last 10 Years Challenge Stks / Theo Marks Stks double – Hurried Choice ('08)

o Last 10 Years Sheraco Stks / Theo Marks Stks double – More Joyous ('10)

o Last 10 Years Doncaster Hcp / Theo Marks Stks double – Racing To Win ('06)

o Last 10 Years Golden Rose / Theo Marks Stks double – Paratroopers ('05)

o Last 10 Years Royal Parma Stks / Theo Marks Stks double – Defier ('02)

o Last 10 Years Warwick Stks / Theo Marks Stks double – Defier ('02)

o Last 10 Years Hobartville Stks / Theo Marks Stks double – Racing To Win ('06)

o Last 10 Years Queen Elizabeth Stks / Theo Marks Stks double – Defier ('02), Shogun Lodge ('01)

o Last 10 Years QTC Cup / Theo Marks Stks double – Falkirk ('04)

o Last 10 Years Rowley Mile / Theo Marks Stks double – Fiery Venture ('03)

o Last 10 Years Hollindale Cup / Theo Marks Stks double – Shogun Lodge ('01)

SUMMARY & SELECTIONS

Important to note this race has gone back to the 1300m.

Many a good horse has aimed up at this during the Spring with the view to the George Main and then the Epsom or onto Melbourne. This really has been a WFA horse's race even though it is conducted as a Quality with the best handling the weight.

Because of the field size there should at worst be a decent clip with a few of these going forward.

Given his Rosehill record have to like the way Ilovethiscity is going. You would have loved it to be 1400m but he went nicely first up and will be fitter again.

His best is getting the last crack at them rather than like the Warwick Stks where he was the hunted. Certainly has the weight but best is in G1 races compared to the others.

His conqueror at Warwick Farm Pinwheel is such a consistent horse he has to be there. Strangely has not run at Rosehill since 18 months ago as a 4yo and is unbeaten here.

The distance is perfect for him as is any track condition but can he hold off the other horse.

Looking for Torio's Quest to go well first up. Had a nice trial win at Gosford in August but he really needs it dry. He can explode on the firmer surface.

His best is very good.

Selection: (2) ILOVETHISCITY

Hardest to Beat: (1) PINWHEEL

Best Roughie: (9) TORIO'S QUEST