2014 ATC Sires Produce Stakes: Live updates, preview, tips and results

The two-year-olds are back for a shot at Group 1 glory in today’s ATC Sires Produce Stakes. Join us from 2.00pm AEST for a full preview, live blog and post-race analysis.

It looks to be a battle between Gerald Ryan and Gerald Ryan with the trainer saddling up four of the top chances among the field of 11.

The first of his runners is Believe Yourself which produced the most eye-catching run in the Golden Slipper when she got through the muck from last on the bend to finish fourth. Seven day back ups are often a worry for the juveniles but as one which will relish the sting out of the track, she is a deserved favourite.

The next of Ryan’s runners is Peggy Jean who bypassed the Slipper to target this race. Her lead up has been commendable having picked up a few handy scalps along the way.

She won the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes on a heavy track and has shown a sound turn of foot in all four of her racetrack outings.

The third of the Ryan quartet is Lucky Raquie which comes through the successful Mossfun formlines. In the Riesling Stakes, Lucky Raquie finished two lengths behind Earthquake and one behind Mossfun.

On paper, the Riesling is the strongest formline coming into this race but because it was run on good ground, Lucky Raquie’s lack of wet track form will leave her a few betting lines below her stablemates.

Rounding out the Gerald Ryan trained quartet is Time For War who took out the Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes on heavy ground.

Although unbeaten in his two career starts, questions have to be asked of the colt that has been inconsistent between his trial and race form. Nevertheless, as a proven wet tracker, apprentice Damien Thornton has a lovely chance of claiming his first Group 1 here.

Running behind Time For War in the Pago Pago was Kumaon who the markets suggest is the best chance of spoiling the Gerald Ryan party.

Drawing the car park is a major setback for Kuamon but he missed the jump in his last start and still powered home through the muck. Few are better trainers of juveniles than Peter Snowden who will be out for vengeance after the stable’s best two-year-old was rolled in the Slipper.

Making the trip from Melbourne, Zululand heads the interstate raiders. Trainer David Hayes has been keen on his colt throughout the week which he insists will be more comfortable as he gets further out in distance.

Zululand showed nothing in the Group 1 Blue Diamond but bounced back keenly in the Group 2 VRC Sires Produce Stakes when he came from the back of the field and win convincingly.

There won’t be a dry eye in the house if Craig Williams can steer Unencumbered to victory as a tribute to Nathan Berry who would be aboard the colt in other circumstances. The markets give him no hope and his Slipper run was poor but Unencumbered is the fairytale result for all.

Two-year-old races are often difficult to assess and these races have a knack of throwing up an odd result or two. The final field is not as strong as it has been in past years but it still has every chance of unveiling the next superstar of Australian racing.

The ATC Sires Produces Stakes will jump at 2.35pm AEST.

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):

Alfred Chan – Roar Guru and today’s live blogger
1. Believe Yourself
2. Time For War
3. Kuamon
4. Zululand

Justin Cinque – Roar Racing Editor
1. Believe Yourself
2. Peggy Jean
3. Zululand
4. Kumaon

Cameron Rose – Roar Expert
1. Believe Yourself
2. Peggy Jean
3. Lucky Raquie
4. Time For War

Brad Durrant – Roar Guru
1. Peggy Jean
2. Believe Yourself
3. Unencumbered
4. Zululand

Brent Ford – Roar Guru
1. Zululand
2. Believe Yourself
3. Peggy Jean
4. Time For War

Points tally after Golden Slipper day
Brent Ford – 29
Cameron Rose – 18
Justin Cinque – 16
Alfred Chan – 15
Brad Durrant – 14