Races

Runner by Runner: Newmarket Handicap

Posted on | Posted by Warren Huntly

1. Gytrash (57kg)

Trainer: Gordon Richards
Jockey: Ben Melham
Barrier: 2

Maintained his impressive first up record by winning the Black Caviar Lightning and in doing so recorded the quickest last 600m section for the meeting. He also boasts an enviable second up record and is proven down the straight course at 1200m.

2. Zoutori (55kg)

Trainer: Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra
Jockey: Damian Lane
Barrier: 8

Ran well first up to finish second behind Pippie in the Oakleigh Plate, recording the second quickest last 800m of the meeting. He is a multiple winner at Flemington, including the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality over 1200m and is also a previous second up winner.

3. Despatch (54.5kg)

Trainer: Tony and Calvin McEvoy
Jockey: Jamie Kah
Barrier: 6

Held his ground okay when resuming behind Gytrash in the Black Caviar Lightning. Has won the Group 1 Goodwood over 1200m so is proven at the trip and is a previous second up winner but needs to improve significantly on his first up run to be a winning chance.

4. The Inevitable (54.5kg)

Trainer: Scott Brunton
Jockey: Brett Prebble
Barrier: 13

Tassie galloper resuming that is small in stature but big in heart. He has measured up well to quality opposition when travelling to the mainland previously and is building an impressive record. His recent trial in Hobart indicates he is in great order and he has been victorious in two of his three first up attempts to date.

5. Bivouac (54kg)

Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Glen Boss
Barrier: 7

High quality three year old who started favourite in the Oakleigh Plate when resuming but didn’t appear suited by the pattern on the day. Will no doubt will strip fitter here and ran well when second to Exceedance in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes over this course and distance during last year’s Spring Carnival.

6. Exceedance (54kg)

Trainer: Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes
Jockey: Dwayne Dunn
Barrier: 11

Another high quality three year old who won the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes over this course and distance at his last start. Has been prepared to resume with three recent jumpouts and is currently unbeaten when produced first up.

7. Halvorsen (53kg)

Trainer: Robbie Griffiths
Jockey: Andrew Mallyon
Barrier: 9

Has a distinct liking for racing down the Flemington straight and clocked the quickest last 800m of the meeting when running in the Oakleigh Plate last start. The weights being raised 1kg allow regular rider Andrew Mallyon to take the ride and he has already won five aboard him.

8. Mystyko (53kg)

Trainer: Trevor Rodgers
Jockey: Dean Holland
Barrier: 1

Handy sprinter who has won at Listed level and has run well without winning down the Flemington straight. Lacks the class of a number of his key rivals and despite the handicap conditions looks safely held.

9. Tofane (53kg)

Trainer: Michael Moroney
Jockey: Michael Dee
Barrier: 10

Multiple Group winning mare who has displayed a brilliant finishing burst. Couldn’t get into the race when resuming and running last in the Black Caviar Lightning but is much better suited at 1200m and is currently unbeaten second up.

10. Trope (53kg)

Trainer: Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes
Jockey: Michael Poy
Barrier: 5

Talented sprinter who has been placed at Group level, however his only win to date was recorded in a maiden on the Kensington track in February last year. He will be fitter for his first up run in the Oakleigh Plate and has a powerful finish but his lack of early pace counts against his winning chances.

11. Loving Gaby (52.5kg)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Craig Williams
Barrier: 4

Group 1 winning three year old filly over 1200m at WFA that resumed with an outstanding performance to run the quickest last 200m of the meeting when finishing second behind Gytrash in the Black Caviar Lightning. Looks ideally suited under handicap conditions and stepping up to 1200m.

12. Banquo (51kg)

Trainer: Danny O’Brien
Jockey: Dean Yendall
Barrier: 3

Fitter for two recent runs but is yet to win at a distance of less than 1400m. Lightly raced and still open to some improvement but would have to perform to a higher level than his previous performances to be a winning chance.

13. Libertini (51kg)

Trainer: Anthony Cummings
Jockey: Jye McNeil
Barrier: 12

Quality filly who ran fourth behind Flit when resuming on a soft 7 rated track at Randwick. Ran third behind Exceedance and Bivouac in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at the end of her last preparation and is currently unbeaten on good rated tracks. With three of her four wins to date coming at 1200m it appears to be her preferred trip.

Selection: Loving Gaby

Already a Group 1 winner at WFA against the older horses, she finished off the Black Caviar Lightning in outstanding fashion first up. Ideally suited stepping up to 1200m under handicap conditions second up. Two of the other three year old’s in Bivouac and Exceedance shape as strong dangers, with Gytrash and Zoutori looking the best of the older horses.

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