First Among Equals Will Be Too Good Says Mitchell

Posted on July 14, 2017July 14, 2017 | Posted by Julio Santarelli

Jockey Aaron Mitchell expects to take up a forward position when he reunites with gun sprinter First Among Equals in the $100,000 Listed Beaufine Stakes (1000m) at Belmont on Saturday.

With four Listed wins from 26 starts and sound efforts in Group One company, First Among Equals is the best credentialed runner with the class edge in the 2017 Beaufine Stakes.

Mitchell, who is enjoying a career-best season in the saddle, picked up the plum ride after combing with the gelding to win the Northam Stakes (1100m) in May.

Mitchell confidently told Tabradio from an inside draw and in a field that lacks depth he expects First Among Equals to be very hard to beat.

“From barrier one we won’t let him get too far back,” Mitchell said.

“I think it’s a soft field and one of the weakest he has seen for a while.

“I think he can race handier from the gate and why not.

“Hopefully we get a spurt at the top of the straight and he can show how good he is.”

First Among Equals, trained by Simon Miller, returns to racing after pulling up sore in the Group One Goodwood Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville last May.

He ran 12^th to star WA-owned galloper Vega Magic, but was galloped on in running and remained in South Australia after sustaining a nasty gash.

“He had two weeks in Adelaide after the leg healed up, but he was doing too well at home and I thought the Beaufine would be a perfect starting point,” Miller said.

“I was prepared to chance my arm because all the real good sprinters are in the paddock or coming into work getting ready for the summer carnival.”

First Among Equals, who has four wins from six first-up attempts, lumps top weight of 61kg in the Beaufine Stakes.

“On paper it looked a little bit scary because I really didn’t know who was going to be there, but when the weights came out we are thrown into it.

“We are very well weighted and it’s good to have a good horse in it because without him the rest of the field is not a stakes race.”

Meanwhile champion jockey William Pike believes Dendee can cause an upset in the Beaufine Stakes, banking on the mare’s first-up record and light weight.

“I know she is a very good fresh horse and we have a light weight,” Pike said.

“I think it’s her best chance to pick one of these races up.”

On the 54kg minimum, Dendee has drawn barrier nine. The daughter of Denman, a winner in two of three first-up races, won the Marjorie Charleson Classic (1200m) and Sheila Gwynne Classic (1400m).