1. Chicago Bull
Previous Ranking: 1st
Last Start: October 2, JP Stratton Cup (1st)
No need for him to move from the top spot this week. Had last Friday night off following his Stratton Cup win the week prior. He has been nominated for this week’s Mount Eden Sprint and could clash with Shockwave again. A lot will depend on the barrier draw over the 1730m but bring on another instalment of what’s already a terrific rivalry.
2. Shockwave
Previous Ranking: 2nd
Last Start: October 2, JP Stratton Cup (2nd)
Like Chicago Bull, he had the night off on Friday night in order to get ready for this week’s $50,000 event. He’s put the runs on the board this campaign. He’s not far off Chicago Bull and despite getting beaten last start it didn’t feel like the gap between the pair widened. He sits at number two again but he’s certainly knocking on the door to get the top spot.
3. Mighty Conqueror
Previous Ranking: 4th
Last Start: October 9, Fred Doy Memorial (9th)
Terrific return in the Fred Doy Memorial last week to sit outside Convert Denario and still run second. It was a really pleasing return from the five-year-old and still looks well placed to be the one seed for the powerful Bond stable. He wasn’t giving ground on the line to a horse that is so difficult to get past when he gets the front. I don’t know if he will get the chance to meet Shockwave and Chicago Bull prior to the Cups but that would give us a really good look at where he’s at.
4. Vampiro
Previous Ranking: 5th
Last Start: October 2, JP Stratton Cup (4th)
Comes up to fourth this week with Lochinvar Art sliding down. Again, had the week off last week but is back among the nominations for the Mount Eden Sprint. This is where he could strike. Think back to last year’s Village Kid Sprint where he crossed to the lead and was too slick for his rivals. He also won the Mount Eden Sprint two years ago from the breeze. If he gets a look at leading this week he will give Chicago Bull and Shockwave an awful lot to think about.
5. Convert Denario
Previous Ranking: Unranked
Last Start: October 2, Fred Doy Memorial (1st)
Had the advantage of barrier one in the Fred Doy Memorial on Friday night and made the most of it. He rated 1.55.9 and ran home in 56. It was the performance of a horse that’s now a complete professional and ready to handle the rigours of consistent Free-For-All pacing. There’s no doubt he’s got a way to go to be matching the four above him. It’s going to be horses like him that add depth to the Pacing Cups this year. While he may not yet be up to winning a Pacing Cup, he deserves his place this week in the top six.
6. Lochinvar Art
Previous Ranking: 3rd
Last Start: October 2, Victoria Cup (1st)
It does look a bit silly dropping him after one of the most impressive Victoria Cup wins you’ll see but it does appear as though a trip to Perth is more unlikely than likely now. Trainer David Moran indicated he would likely run him in Victoria on Fremantle Cup night which doesn’t augur well for a trip west. As long as there’s some small chance though he can sit at six. What a win it was on Saturday night. Fingers crossed we get a chance to see him take on the three runners up the top of the these rankings.
Honourable Mentions: Bletchley Park has made way for Convert Denario. He gets a chance to re-enter the rankings this week in the Mount Eden Sprint. The Bird Dance continues to race well and is thereabouts in the FFA ranks. Keep an eye on Simba Bromac as well. If you watch the replay from his sixth placing in the Fred Doy Memorial you’ll see he never got clear running. He’s going better than most realise and will run a big race soon.
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