Races

Runner by Runner: Australian Guineas

Posted on | Posted by Warren Huntly

1. Alligator Blood (56.5kg)

Trainer: David Vandyke
Jockey: Ryan Maloney
Barrier: 2

With nine wins from his ten starts it goes without saying that he’s building an impressive record. At his only test at 1600m he was narrowly defeated by Super Seth in last year’s Caulfield Guineas. He is unlikely to be improving at this stage of his campaign, but if he is able to hold his form he is sure to prove hard to beat again.

2. Dalasan (56.5kg)

Trainer: Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas
Jockey: Jamie Kah
Barrier: 3

Fitter for two runs back from a spell and may not have been suited by the relatively slow early tempo behind Alligator Blood, Catalyst, Chenier and Soul Patch last start. He should appreciate the step up to 1600m and took out the Carbine Club Stakes the last time he raced over this course and distance.

3. Alabama Express (56.5kg)

Trainer: Michael Moroney
Jockey: Michael Dee
Barrier: 6

Comes into this race as a last start Group 1 WFA winner and should be fitter for that victory over 1400m. He didn’t get any favours in the run on that occasion defeating other Group 1 winners in Fierce Impact and Kings Will Dream. Although he is yet to be tested at 1600m, he gives every impression he will run it out strongly.

4. Catalyst (56.5kg)

Trainer: Clayton Chipperfield
Jockey: Damian Lane
Barrier: 4

One of a number of boom Kiwis currently in Australia and measured up admirably fighting right to the line behind Alligator Blood at his first Australian start. He should have derived a good deal of fitness benefit from that run and may settle into the one out one back position. From there he should be ideally placed to pounce in the home straight and looks ideally suited stepping up to 1600m.

5. Soul Patch (56.5kg)

Trainer: Ken Keys
Jockey: Craig Williams
Barrier: 1

He was safely held when resuming behind Alligator Blood and others over 1400m in the CS Hayes Stakes last start, but he was able to run the quickest last 200m of the race. In easier company he is a previous second up winner and with a Group 2 victory over 2040m to his credit, looks suited by the step up to 1600m.

6. Superstorm (56.5kg)

Trainer: Grant & Alana Williams
Jockey: William Pike
Barrier: 7

Freshened up well to record a dominant victory over 1500m at Listed level at Ascot in Western Australia last start after competing admirably at Group 1 level in the Kingston Town Classic. Will be fitter following that last start win and largely untapped but would need to run to a higher level than his previous performances to be a winning chance.

7. Chenier (56.5kg)

Trainer: Anthony Freedman
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Barrier: 5

Highly talented and resumed from a lengthy break with an outstanding performance to finish third and run the third quickest last 200m of the race behind Alligator Blood and Catalyst in the CS Hayes Stakes. He is unknown beyond 1400m but gives the impression he will appreciate the rise to 1600m and will undoubtedly strip fitter with that first up run under his belt.

8. Commodus (56.5kg)

Trainer: Mark Sues
Jockey: Ethan Brown
Barrier: 8

Maiden galloper who is going well enough to win a race in that grade. After being slowly away last start he worked home well behind Relucent who was able to break his maiden status on that occasion. The quality of this field appears lengths superior to the fields he has been competing against and although he is still open to improvement, looks safely held.

Selection: Catalyst

The barrier draw sets the race to be run in a similar fashion to the CS Hayes Stakes fought out by Alligator Blood and Catalyst. Perhaps Alabama Express through a different form line is the other major speed influence. This should provide an opportunity for Catalyst to secure an economical run just off the speed and use his barnstorming sprint to advantage in the home straight. Alligator Blood is sure to prove hard to run past once again and Chenier, through the same form line, is sure to be running home hard with Catalyst.

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