International Racing: Friday 18 September 2020 – Australia

AEROVICTORY had made steady improvement before winning his last start over this c&d by nearly three lengths. He jumped awkwardly that day, but recovered quickly to speed of to lead and was never headed. He has a wideish draw eight to overcome but is nevertheless taken to be the value bet on the day’s program. HORTENSE is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she is also a speedy sort who messed up her start before finishing second in her latest outing over 1100M. She jumps from draw five and is sure to enjoy the shorter trip today. ICON on the other hand tends to finish off his races well. He did exactly that when ending up in fourth place last time out over six furlongs. He has a handy gate three and should be doing his best work late. 

KARAKORAM drew away in the closing stages after collaring the leaders late to go on to win his last outing over twelve furlongs by 1.3L. He has pulled pole position and could prove good enough to follow up and post his double. WRISTBAND and TRANSFER ALLOWANCE renew their rivalry here and a form reversal is possible. The former did finish one length behind the latter when they last clashed over eleven furlongs, but is 2kgs better off at today’s weights, which should be enough for the tables to be turned. He is also better draw at gate six as opposed to gate ten. This contest is of course over further ground and the latter has his hat-trick attempt and is sure to put up a good fight to record his trio of victories. We can look forward to a close finish here. 

A 4yr old filly and a 6yr old mare could fight out the finish of this race and complete the exacta, but the firm top choice goes to WAHINE TOA who returns from a 20-week rest and has not had a barrier trial. She has however only had the three runs to date and followed up her penultimate run victory over eleven furlongs with a third-place finish over fourteen furlongs next time out, just a neck back from the winner. She takes a big drop in distance, but did finish fourth over a mile on debut, so this may not be such an issue. From draw five, she is made the best bet of the meeting. VITANI is drawn one inside the former and was making good late progress before finishing fourth in her latest outing over the c&d. She was just a length back that day and could emerge as the biggest threat to the top choice. WAIRERE FALLS stayed on well when fifth last time out over a mile and although having to negotiate a wide draw of fourteen, he should be doing his best work late.  

PESKIJEN is a 3yr old filly taking on males. She hit the front at the 200M mark before staying on strongly to fend off all challenges and win over six furlongs on debut. She clearly has some ability and jumping from gate six, she could prove to be better than the balance of this field. TURIN WARRIOR showed the expected improvement to win over six furlongs at the second time of asking. He was returning from a 24 week absence that day and has a handy draw four. He steps up in distance, but on that last showing, he should be right up there in the mix. KUZCO LAD had his consistency rewarded with his maiden win last time out over six furlongs at this track. He won by nearly three lengths by going from start to finish that day and has the early gate speed to move across from his draw twelve without using up too much energy.

BURNING CROWN returns from a 12-week rest but did win his only barrier trial to showcase his well-being. He has his hat-trick outing here after winning his last outing over 1100M by a neck. He is a speedy sort who will enjoy going over the shorter trip. He has a wide gate ten to negotiate but should use that early gate speed to move across with expending too much energy. RARE EPISODE returns from a 25-week rest, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and then winning the latest. He raced wide in his last start before the rest and whilst having draw eight today, be rates the biggest danger to the top choice. JUNGLIZED showed good improvement to end up in third place in his last outing over five furlongs when returning from a 25-week break. He has the widest draw of them all at gate eleven, but should nevertheless still be involved in the finish. 

ROCK has shown steady improvement in his last two runs, finishing fifth in the latest over seven furlongs, a length and a half behind the victor when returning from a 27-week absence. He finished strongly that day suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to his liking. From gate three, he looks to be the one that they all have to beat. SPECIAL REWARD has consistent formlines to his name and stayed on well to finish fourth in his last outing over 1300M. He has his peak run here after a 24-week rest and has a handy draw five. Another honest performance from him can be expected. JUST THINKIN’ is drawn one outside the latter and also has his peak run after returning from a lengthy 43-week break. He won his last start over this distance by a head and should be right up there when they hit the line.

MUGATOO has his hat-trick run after winning his last start over 1900M by just over a length, despite being hampered at the 380M mark. He battled all the way down to the wire that day and if showing the same determination here, he could difficult to topple. From draw seven, he is taken to be the best bet on the program. THE LORD MAYOR ran on strongly to finish second in his last outing over 2100M, just a head behind the winner. He has a handy gate two and should enjoy going over the extra ground. ALIFEROUS has finished third in his last three runs, the latest over ten furlongs when 0.7L behind the winner. He stayed on well that day suggesting the extra ground on offer today will be to his liking.  

WANDABAA is seldom far off the action and has finished second in her last two runs, the latest when one length behind the winner over 1300M. She was making good late progress and on that showing, she should enjoy the extra trip today. She faces a wide draw of eleven, but given her style of running, she should be picking off the frontrunners over the closing stages of the contest. ALL SAINTS’ EVE got up in the shadow of the post to win her last start over seven furlongs by a short-head. She has a far kinder draw two and could pose a serious threat to the top pick. ASIAGO was friendless in the betting markets when winning her last outing over 1300M by one length. She took a big drop in distance from her previous run over ten furlongs, but clearly, the change was to her liking. She jumps from gate six and should be included in all bets.