Races

Runner by Runner: Karrakatta Plate

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

1. Gemma’s Son (57.5kg)

Trainer: David Harrison
Jockey: Paul Harvey
Barrier: 7

One of the most dominant 2 year olds we have seen in recent seasons. Undefeated after 4 starts, winner of the Pinjarra 2yo Magic Millions eased down by 1.9L and then the Listed Perth Stakes by 2L when running past them in first gear. Paul Harvey never turned a hair in the Perth Stakes, not a single strike of the whip just pure raw ability. From the gate he should at worst sit outside the leader and if he gets to that position it could well be game over (again).

2. Dom To Shoot (57.5kg)

Trainer: Sean & Jake Casey
Jockey: Patrick Carbery
Barrier: 8

Has to date bypassed the feature races and that has proven a wise and profitable decision. Winner of 2 from 4 and nosed out on another occasion by the smart filly Watch Me Dance in a driving finish. Beat Queen Brown last start and that filly came straight out to make the form look even better. Massive baby (600+kg) and demands respect if he can find a position in running.

3. Brooklyn Pier (57.5kg)

Trainer: Neville Parnham
Jockey: Steven Parnham
Barrier: 2

Strong debut winner back in January and then was immediately tipped out for a spell to be targeted at the riches of the Autumn features. Returned with a 400m jump out and then the blinkers went on for the first time in the Perth Stakes. Was crossed on that occasion and then never able to really hit top gear. Stable hold a big opinion of him and expecting a better showing in the Karrakatta.

4. Dark Assault (57.5kg)

Trainer: Roy Rogers
Jockey: Jarrad Noske
Barrier: 3

Still a maiden galloper but has been super impressive his last few starts. Kept fresh throughout a fairly lengthy campaign by Great Southern trainer Roy Rogers, and his last two efforts at big prices have been brave. Sat outside Gemma’s Son in the Pinjarra Magic Millions and fought on into fourth at 100-1, and then for a fleeting moment looked like testing him in the Perth Stakes. Perfect draw for him, live top 3 hope. 

5. Ima Single Man (57.5kg)

Trainer: Chris Gangemi
Jockey: Jordan Turner
Barrier: 10

Could not have been more impressive on debut when over racing, racing greenly and still gunning down Our Boy Dylan. That galloper went into a 2 year old race last Saturday and was a dominant winner making the form look even stronger. Ima Single Man recorded a final 200m of 10.83 on debut. That is the fastest furlong split of the 2 year old season to date. Draw really hurts but looks extremely promising.

6. Starfield Impact (55.5kg)

Trainer: Mike Santich
Jockey: Jason Whiting
Barrier: 14

In any other year she would have her hands wrapped around the 2 year old of the year trophy. Winner of the Crystal Slipper, Supremacy Stakes and Gimcrack Stakes. Dual black type filly who can race on the speed and off the speed. If she leaves the gates cleanly Jason Whiting may be inclined to burn across from the wide gate in an attempt to find her a position. Impossible to fault her form but will need some luck from the carpark.

7. Watch Me Dance (55.5kg)

Trainer: Steve Wolfe
Jockey: Shaun McGruddy
Barrier: 9

You only need to watch the replay of her debut run to see just how much X-factor this filly possesses. Horses do not win from where she was at the top of the straight, let alone a 2 year old on debut. Showed it was no fluke in the Pinjarra Magic Millions before beating Dom To Shoot and giving the Gimcrack a serious shake. Steve Wolfe turns to his old mate Shaun McGruddy for the Grand Final and she has to be a big danger to Gemma’s Son with the right run.

8. American Choice (55.5kg)

Trainer: Simon Miller
Jockey: William Pike
Barrier: 6

Simon Miller is widely regarded as the ‘King of the Kids’ but so far this year we are yet to see him wheel out a genuine top liner like he has in recent seasons. American Choice was arguably a good thing beat in the Supremacy Stakes but then was under pressure a fair way from home in the Gimcrack. Jury is out on just how good she is.

9. Our Danni (55.5kg)

Trainer: Luke Fernie
Jockey: Lucy Warwick
Barrier: 12

Not a lot has gone right for her this preparation. First-up came across from a wide gate and had to punch the breeze outside a horse who was expected to be ridden with a sit. Got kicked in the mounting yard before the Supremacy Stakes and ran far below expectation and then tramped wide the trip in the Gimcrack when beaten 7.5L. Barrier draw will have Luke Fernie pulling out his remaining hair.

10. Justhandy (55.5kg)

Trainer: Bob McPherson
Jockey: Clint Johston-Porter
Barrier: 11

Ran fourth behind Starfield Impact in the Supremacy Stakes when settling off the speed. Given every chance by Joey Azzopardi in a midweek 2 year old race when sitting on top of the speed. This is a deal harder, one of the roughies.

11. Precautionary (55.5kg)

Trainer: Fred Kersley
Jockey: Shaun O’Donnell
Barrier: 13

Blinkers went on first-up in the Gimcrack Stakes and she ran the second fastest final 600m behind Watch Me Dance. Got a long way out of her ground at all career starts and again draws wide. One to keep an eye on heading toward the 1400m of the Sires.

12. Solaia (55.5kg)

Trainer: Darren McAuliffe
Jockey: Chris Parnham
Barrier: 5

Really caught the eye in a 400m jump out before winning in style on debut at 1200m at Bunbury. Beat subsequent winner Our Boy Dylan comfortably and then was caught three deep the trip from gate 4 in the Gimcrack after being a half stride slow. Run was full of merit and she could get under the radar.

13. Come Magic (55.5kg)

Trainer: Dion Luciani
Jockey: Brad Parnham
Barrier: 4

Speed, on speed, on speed. This filly was able to break 24 seconds in her 400m dash up and then crossed from a wide gate in the Gimcrack. Drawn barrier 4, blinkers on, she’ll be your leader but may find 1200 a touch too far.

14. Time Scale (55.5kg)

Trainer: Simon Miller
Jockey: Joseph Azzopardi
Barrier: 1

No match for Solaia on debut when working forward from a wide gate. Last start finished third 2L behind Dom To Shoot and meets him 2kg worse for being beaten. Blinkers on first time, drawn gate 1, should get a soft run but looks a little out classed.

SELECTIONS: Watch Me Dance/Solaia

Much like the Oaks preview with Tuscan Queen last week, Gemma’s Son is the best 2 year old we have seen and deserves to be in the red. Opened $1.70 with TABtouch and that looks a reasonable quote for those who like backing them at odds on. For those of us who like a bit more of a thrill we’ll throw up Watch Me Dance and Solaia as a blowout chances. Watch Me Dance has an exciting turn of acceleration and Solaia should track the favourite’s every move. They’ll both jump double figures.

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