Races

Runner by Runner: Placid Ark Stakes

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

1. Street Parade (56.5kg)

Trainer: Russell Stewart
Jockey: Paul Harvey
Barrier: 11

Gains the services of Paul Harvey and returned to the winner’s circle last start with an emphatic 60+ Graduation victory over the older horses. Russell Stewart put blinkers on for the first time at his most recent outing and they clearly had an effect. Can come out positive underneath Baby Paris and Just Go to try and find a spot on-speed. Really honest customer.

2. Kosta’s Crown (56.5kg)

Trainer: Sean & Jake Casey
Jockey: Laqdar Ramoly
Barrier: 4

Demolished moderate maiden company to break his maiden two starts ago and then returned to Saturday racing last weekend over 1400m in a 60+ Graduation. Was only fair when beaten fair and square by Stellar Vista and Trade War. Drops back in trip, can ride the speed but probably hasn’t quite lived up to his ripper trials leading into this campaign. Seems as though they’re still figuring out what his best distance is.

3. Just Go (56.5kg)

Trainer: Dion Luciani
Jockey: Brad Parnham
Barrier: 12

Ran second to Snowdome in the 3 year old Classic (1000m) before running third behind Baby Paris and All Show in the Placid Ark Prelude (1000m). Meets Baby Paris worse at the weights for being beaten 1.5L and meets All Show at the same weights for finishing just behind her. The query is going to be 1200m as well as how much petrol he has to burn to get across from the wide gate.

4. Prawns Eleven (56.5kg)

Trainer: Brock Lewthwaite
Jockey: Natasha Faithfull
Barrier: 2

Raw talent. Does a lot wrong and it cost him dearly last Saturday when fractious in the barriers prior to the start and missing away by at least 2 – 3 lengths. “Raced greenly” is a common Stewards Report entry for Prawns Eleven but he is undeniably a gifted animal. Ran a near identical L600 to My Bella Mae on the weekend when working through traffic to find clear air. Fingers crossed the Winkers can help, if he jumps, he’s a live chance, if he doesn’t, it could get ugly for him.

5. Sunny Honey (56.5kg)

Trainer: David Harrison
Jockey: Joseph Azzopardi
Barrier: 8

Was an alarming drifter first-up in a Class 3 when beaten 1.8L by Prawns Eleven. Made good enough late ground to suggest that he’ll be winning races this campaign, but probably not at this level. Expecting him to settle in the second half of the field and finish in a similar position. One of the roughies.

6. Revitup (54.5kg)

Trainer: Dion Luciani
Jockey: William Pike
Barrier: 7

Was a wonderful early season juvenile for Dion Luciani and Loloma Farms. Had 8 starts as a 2-year-old and banked over $500,000 in Prize Money and Westspeed Bonus’. All five wins were over 1000m and the only time in her life that she has stepped past the short course was in the Crystal Slipper (1100) when kicking clear on straightening before being gunned down late. A high speed, high pressure 1200m likely sees her out.

7. Baby Paris (54.5kg)

Trainer: Colin Webster
Jockey: Peter Knuckey
Barrier: 13

The barrier draw threw a spanner in the works for Colin Webster, Peter Knuckey and owner/breeder Gary Bowen. To date she has had 5 starts and only suffered defeat at the hands of Amelia’s Jewel in the Karrakatta Plate when finishing a brave second. Shook off All Show with an air of arrogance and superiority in the Placid Ark Prelude when she loomed large on straightening. Classy filly. Tough filly. Map the obvious query on paper. Needs a big race ride from PK.

8. Rumour Says (54.5kg)

Trainer: Luke Fernie
Jockey: Clint Johnston-Porter
Barrier: 9

Potentially the forgotten filly. Went to the paddock undefeated two from two over Winter at Belmont Park before resuming without a trial in the 3 year old Classic when finishing third. With even luck in the Belgravia Stakes (1200) she goes close to upsetting Amelia’s Jewel and Snowdome. Should be peaking third-up. Dangerous late with the right run in transit.

9. All Show (54.5kg)

Trainer: Trevor Andrews
Jockey: Shaun O’Donnell
Barrier: 5

Returned to racing in a blaze of glory at Belmont Park with a mouth-watering speed display over 1000m when beating up on talented colt Swear To God. Lead the race, ran the fastest L200 split and was eased down to win by over 2L. Was skittled in the 3 year old Classic when looking to have plenty to offer and then raced fiercely throughout in the Placid Ark Prelude. Must settle on the weekend to see the best of her. Her best – clearly good enough.

10. My Bella Mae (54.5kg)

Trainer: Dion Luciani
Jockey: Patrick Carbery
Barrier: 6

Highly promising filly who is still working out what racing is all about. Won on debut in a 3 year old midweeker when utilising the cutaway and bursting clear to win by over 2L. Had an unfortunate programming curveball thrown at her when missing a run on both 29 October & 1 November. Sent that curveball flying into the top tier of the Ascot Grandstand on Saturday with an exhilarating turn of acceleration, putting the race away within two bounds. Like her a lot.

11. Wild Belle (54.5kg)

Trainer: Luke Fernie
Jockey: Chris Parnham
Barrier: 10

Drawn in barrier 10 on paper, however, importantly that means she is drawn inside of Street Parade, Just go and Baby Paris. Should give Chris Parnham the opportunity to use her biggest asset which is her high cruising speed and work across to breeze outside of Revitup or take her on for the fence. Put on a galloping exhibition at Northam in a 1000m maiden when breaking them open in the home straight and put away the older horses in a Class One on Cup Day. Jump and run mission for her.

12. Invincible Ruby (54.5kg)

Trainer: Jackie Panizza
Jockey: Keshaw Dhurun
Barrier: 3

Small stable, apprentice jockey without a claim and a filly who may sneak under the radar. Actually ran the fastest overall L800, 600, 400 & 200 in the Placid Ark Prelude from the rear and clocked the fourth fastest L200 of the entire program (Alaskan God, Miss Conteki, Amasenus then Invincible Ruby). Likely to end up in a fair bit of traffic but with clear running she’s a blowout chance at big odds.

13. Fashion Stakes (54.5kg)

Trainer: Neville Parnham
Jockey: Steven Parnham
Barrier: 1

Double accepted for a 1400m maiden on Wednesday at Ascot and the Placid Ark Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. She’s outclassed here and likely goes round the roughie of the field on current CVs. Might be a preparation too soon for her at this level.

SELECTION: RUMOUR SAYS

Rumour Says will go around an eachway quote and can sneak into the race in the three deep train. Looks like a high-speed race with Wild Belle, Just Go, Revitup, Street Parade and Baby Paris all capable of burning early, as well as All Show and My Bella Mae who will hold positions close-handy. On paper there’s a three deep line and Rumour Says is the kind of filly who can peel off a sharp L600 if given the right run into the race. Brilliant race with at least six legitimate winning chances worthy of the $500,000 on offer. 8 – 10 – 9 – 7

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