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The William Reid Stakes is the final Group 1 of the Melbourne autumn. Join us from 9:20pm AEDT Friday night for a complete preview, pre-race selections and post race reactions.
Who can forget last year’s William Reid Stakes, when the mighty Black Caviar graced the Mooney Valley track, winning in second gear on a memorable Friday night under lights. It was to be her last race in Melbourne.
Many champions of the turf have won this race, with Black Caviar (2011, 2013) and Miss Andretti (2007) winning the William Reid before going on to win at Royal Ascot. Most famously, the great Manikato won the race five years in a row between 1979 and 1983.
The William Reid is is run at weight-for-age over 1200m at the tight-turning Mooney Valley track.
The Lightning Stakes and Newmarket Handicap are the two major lead-up races, with the majority of today’s runners coming through one or both of them.
Who can handle this unique circuit and join the long list of champions to win the William Reid? Let’s take a look at this year’s field.
Fawkner
Finished third in last year’s edition behind the super mare Black Caviar. Can last year’s Caulfield Cup winner come back and win a Group 1 over 1200m first-up?
Drawn wide, will take a sit and hit the line strong but can’t see him in the first three.
Spirit of Boom
Outstanding runs in both the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket to finish second both times behind Lankan Rupee. Has been super-consistent his last two preps and also won third-up last prep.
Can he break his Group 1 duck here? I think he is ready to win here.
Shamexpress
This colossal four-year-old is more suited to the open Flemington track rather than the tight-turning Mooney Valley circuit. His two runs this prep, especially first-up, have been excellent.
Damien Oliver stays aboard, which is a plus, but I don’t have him in first few.
Fontelina
Very disappointing first-up, but that was in a Group 1 Newmarket. From barrier 6 he will start well and be sitting just off the leaders.
He has never raced at Mooney Valley previously but could be a knockout chance at odds.
It Is Written
A Mooney Valley track and distance specialist (13-5-2-3) and proved it once again last Friday night when winning the Listed Abell Stakes.
He finished third here at Mooney Valley in late January in the Group 2 Australia Stakes at weight-for-age but the opposition was much weaker than the field he meets today.
Unpretentious
I tipped him on top in the Newmarket but he was disappointing. Maybe the six furlongs is not his go. He could be more suited to the 1000m.
He has never raced at Mooney Valley and in my opinion the tight turning track could be to his liking.
From barrier 3, Brad Rawiller needs to find some clear galloping room early before the turn and he will be right in the finish.
Can’t leave him out of the multiples, because with my luck he will salute as soon as I jump off his bandwagon.
Samaready
Back to the track and distance where she won the Group 1 Moir Stakes in the Spring. She definitely prefers the sting out of the track with the majority of her wins on a Dead Track (6-5-0-0).
She ran well in the Lightning before a slightly disappointing run in the Newmarket (although she meets those runners much better at the weights now).
If the track is rated Dead and she can reproduce her Moir run, she is going to be hard to beat here.
Gig
Very tough assignment for her first-up. She lacks the class of the others.
Gregers
The first of the three-year-old fillies and she is a genuine track specialist (4-3-1-0). She has produced two superb runs this prep, especially her fourth to Lankan Rupee in the Oakleigh Plate.
The in-form Chad Schofield is aboard and from gate 9 could be looking to lead. She is in the race right up to her ears.
Thump
The second of the three-year-old fillies, who has been successful at this track and distance (1-1-0-0) beating Miracles of Life in the Group 3 Champagne in the spring. She was disappointing first-up before holding off all challengers to win the Group 2 Surround Stakes at Warwick Farm over 1400m.
A couple of things against her are the fact she is back to the 1200m and this is the first time she has met the older horses.
Roar racing writers’ autumn tipping competition (five points if winning horse is tipped for first; three points if tipped for second; two for third and one for fourth):
Brad Durrant – Roar Guru and tonight’s live blogger
1. Spirit Of Boom
2. Samaready
3. Gregers
4. Unpretentious
Justin Cinque – Roar Racing Editor
1. Samaready
2. Shamexpress
3. Spirit Of Boom
4. Gregers
Cameron Rose – Roar Expert
1. Spirit Of Boom
2. Gregers
3. Shamexpress
4. Samaready
Alfred Chan – Roar Guru
1. Gregers
2. Thump
3. Shamexpress
4. Samaready
Brent Ford – Roar Guru
1. Samaready
2. Gregers
3. Shamexpress
4. Unpretentious
Points tally after week 2 (Randwick Guineas Day)
Brent Ford – 16
Alfred Chan – 12
Justin Cinque – 6
Cameron Rose – 4
Brad Durrant – 4
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