3 minute read
An in-depth look at every runner in the $1,000,000 Group 1 Kia Ora Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
1. Private Eye (Joe Pride ) Needs no introduction with his well-credentialed sprinting profile, earning him the top weight. The gelding was brave in defeat first-up, running second in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) behind Imperatriz before having too much to do last start at Randwick in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1200m). Further, he was restrained from a wide draw and got too far back in a slowly run race but made up significant ground, savaging the line late to clock the fastest final 200m split of the meeting. He has a trick draw but finally gets a race shape to suit, and he has the closing speed/figures to run over the top of his rivals. Chance.
2. King Of Sparta (P & P Snowden): Scratched.
3. Mazu (Joe Pride) Scratched.
4. Uncommon James (Steven O'Dea & Matthew Hoysted) He was solid in defeat, running second in this race last year when SPing favourite, and will look to make amends. He's been set for this race, trialled up well, and has strong fresh form. The gelding can rate to win and maps to have all favours. Has to be in the numbers.
5. Aft Cabin (James Cummings): He is primed for this assignment and expecting him to produce a career peak figure here. The Godolphin galloper arguably should've won first-up in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) after being checked/blocked at critical stages, but once clear, he surged to and through the line. The clock backed up the visuals with him producing the second-fastest final 200m split of the meeting even with that interference, and his last few bounds had merit. In addition, his ratings/sectional profile lines up well against his opposition; he handles all race shapes/conditions and James McDonald rides. Happy to mark him favourite.
6. Buenos Noches (Matthew Smith): He got too far back first-up in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) but flashed home to finish fourth and forgive his last start in the Group 1 Newmarket (1200m) after pulling up lame. He draws to be in a stalking position; the step back in the distance is no issue with the four-year-old coming through high-pressure races, and he can bounce back here with a positive race setup.
7. Kallos (James Cummings): The second of the Godolphin brigade, and he produced one of his career peaks first-up before being unsuited to the race shape last start in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m). Further, he was solid throughout betting, and that must be respected.
8. Remarque (Team Hawkes): Had the bias against first-up in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) when racing in the inferior ground and battled on to finish fourth. The five-year-old maps well but historically regresses from a ratings perspective second-up.
9. Asfoora (Henry Dwyer): She had no luck in this race last year, and her effort had merit. Nothing went right for her last start in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) after she blew the start and then had too much to do. She can bounce back here with Tim Clark riding and expect an aggressive ride from the wide draw. All her peak figures have come over the distance, and she handles rain-affected ground. Knockout chance.
10. Passive Aggressive (Grahame Begg): She was impressive when winning first-up in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) after having 308 days off the scene. She was well-ridden but accelerated hard; repeating that figure can put her in the finish. Additionally, she may get the track pattern to suit and is a key late-market watch being second-up off a long break.
11. Sunshine In Paris (Annabel Neasham): She returns off a 196-day break and has had two trials leading into this, giving her a solid platform. Further, she hasn't been extended in both heats and looks ready to sprint fresh. First-up last prep she ran time and won easily with style. She's an improvised type with a nice action and has key attributes. She has an X-factor and is a leading contender.
12. Zapateo (James Cummings): She's come through the well-documented Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) and had all favours that day, leading at a very slow pace. She gets a weight swing on a few of those rivals but must improve to match it with them.
13. Ozzmosis (Bjorn Baker): He went out on a career peak figure last campaign when leading all the way to win the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m). He showed a sharp turn of foot and maintained a strong finishing speed to the line to hold off the late challengers. The three-year-old looks to have returned well after two solid trials and flys fresh. Expect him to roll forward and use his lightweight to his advantage. In addition, he has an impressive record, and if he can repeat his Coolmore figure around the bend, he'll be hard to beat.
14. Front Page (Matthew Dale): Is a first-up specialist with multiple winning figures at the weights. The dual Kosciuszko winner's best asset is to roll forward at a fast pace and look to run his rival ragged. Expect those tactics with the galloper in on 52.5kg. Can give a sight.
15. Queen Of The Ball (Michael Freedman): Scratched.
16. King's Gambit (P & P Snowden): He started favourite in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield and ran an even race. He's trialled between runs and won a recent heat when not extended at Randwick. He maps to be smothered away and has a storing record at this tack. He has no weight, enhancing his key acceleration/closing speed attributes.
17. Derry Grove (Matthew Dunn): Forgive his last start at this track/distance after being caught three wide out on a limb, but to his credit, he ran on ok. He has gone to a new level this prep but does need to improve to rate here.
18. Quick Tempo (Mark Minervini): He is on the quick backup, gets conditions to suit and races well over this trip. However, this is a lot tougher.
