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 12th 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).
Matt Young’s Monday Pinjarra Selections April 29, 2024 Race 1 CURADH (3) IDEAL INTEREST (6) MIKI SPRING STEP (8) BUNJIL MAN (2) Race 2 PRINCE OF PAIN (3) ATLAS THE TITAN (5) ICY… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Monday Greyhound Best Bets April 29, 2024 NORTHAM Race 5 No. 3 No Payout and No. 1 Apollo Fun Kicking off the Northam season with dogs that absolutely know this track. The… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Sunday Greyhound Best Bets April 28, 2024 CANNINGTON Race 4 No. 4 Trendy Miss A shame this wasn’t a 380m event. She would be a leading show. However she can play for… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Saturday Greyhound Best Bets April 27, 2024 CANNINGTON Race 1 No. 3 All Grunt and No. 7 Cherry Blue The 3 is a real good smokies play here. A little luck into… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Albany Preview April 26, 2024 RACE 1 MORGS FREEMAN has been in consistent form throughout the campaign and won a very similar race to this four starts back. That was… Read More
Weekend Tipsters April 26, 2024 Caulfield Saturday Warren Huntly Quaddie 3 9 4 5 – 8 10 – 1 5 6 – 15 2 1 9 6 3 Best Bet… Read More
Trent Cooper’s Gloucester Park Preview April 26, 2024 Race 1 MACHS BETTOR (1) battled bad draws towards the end of his last campaign but warmed up for this assignment with a good 3rd… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Saturday Caulfield Preview April 26, 2024 Race 1 BEWS caught the eye when resuming and may settle a bit closer from a favourable draw. AWAPUNI PRINCESS will settle close to last… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Friday Greyhound Best Bets April 26, 2024 MANDURAH Race 1 No. 1 Bracton and No. 8 Nitro Ruby Steady one to start the card. The 1 on its best form wins but… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Rosehill Preview April 25, 2024 RACE 1 Racing returns to Rosehill after a hugely successful autumn carnival, no more Group & Listed racing until the spring. Although not drawn well… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview April 25, 2024 RACE 1 Tough race to open up a big day at Eagle Farm even allowing for the smallish field. I’ll lean to the consistent CONNECTICUT… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview April 25, 2024 RACE 1 SIREN ASSAULT won the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes and then last weekend sat three deep the trip in the Karrakatta Plate when still… Read More