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Spring is here and the Group 1’s are coming thick and fast. Today we’ll be treated with the Melbourne Cup favourite and plenty of quality in the Chelmsford Stakes.
Join us here on The Roar for a live blog and results of the Chelmsford Stakes and Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes from 2:50pm AEST.
We kick off the first of two Group 1’s with a Chris Waller dominated Chelmsford Stakes, the Sydney trainer has six of the nine runners in the race and will be certain of getting a winner here today. However his biggest threat will be the Hawkes Racing representative Entirely Platinum coming out of the in-form stable.
There will be plenty of question marks over the runner regarding it is the first time the horse is running at WFA and Group 2 level but there is plenty of quality about the five year old Gelding.
Sacred Falls will be coming into the race second up following a run after an 18 week spell. He finished fourth (1.6 lengths) behind Tiger Tees and looks much better for the run. Has the improvement in him to be more than competitive in this race.
Hawkspur hit the line well over 1200m last start and this will suit much better. Has placed on his last three starts over the 1600m journey and can certainly compete with this field.
As already mentioned Entirely Platinum will be up for this race. He found the box seat in an Open class handicap over 1400m at Rosehill three weeks ago in a strong win, in a recent trial he beat Leebaz and Catkins and based on that he looks the goods.
Happy to take on Criterion because of the wide draw. While Royal Descent will look to finish hard but hasn’t won since claiming the 2013 ATC Oaks, has placed in five of her last 10 starts so should be a good place proposition.
I expect Entirely Platnium to get to the front and get a good time with it, he might not be the best quality but the conditions should suit him. Royal Descent should settle just off the pace with Sacred Falls at about midfield. Look for Hawkspur to scream past on the outside and make a real race of this late.
Selections:
1. Hawkspur 2. Sacred Falls 3.Royal Descent 4. Entirely Platinum
Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer resumes in a tough race in the Dato’ Chan Tan Nim Stakes. It’s worth noting that he has had two trials at 1200m and 1250m and usually takes a few runs before finding his best form. He had a dominant autumn campaign winning the Sydney Cup (3200m) which was his first win on the trot.
I don’t expect him to find his best today but it will be a promising sign to see him hitting the line hard. The Cleaner looks a handy prospect in this after recording his second win from four starts in an open handicap here over 1600m a month ago. He carried 60.5kgs and set a solid tempo at the front of the field and found something while being challenged.
The only problem here is that he is carrying 1.5kgs less and this is a steep step up in class, will be leading but can he go all the way?
Pakal has only been seen a few times over the last 12 months but he made it count winning the Cranbourne Cup and finished within two lengths of Side Glance & Fiorente in the Group 1 McKinnon Stakes and Group 2 Peter Young Stakes.
Has had a good hit out in a trial at Cranbourne and can produce a good strong run when fresh. Star Rolling is the one I really like here. He found plenty when challenged in the PB Lawrence Stakes a fortnight ago. That was a fifth win in 12 starts and is repaying his trainers patience with some good performances.
Finished third (a long neck) to Fiorent in the Peter Young Stakes so certainly has the ability, his second run at WFA and comes into the race with good form, has the draw and should be right in the mix.
Foreteller is a consistent competitor and was working well when fourth behind Star Rolling in the PB Lawrence Stakes. He won the Group 1 Makybe Diva stakes (1600m) off a similar preparation last year so can go close again. However his only start on the Moonee Valley track saw the galloper finish fourth in the Cox Plate.
Lidari couldn’t match the pace of Star Rolling in the PB Lawrence last start finishing 2.3 lengths behind. Ran a cracking third to Fiorente last year after winning first up so has quality, should get a quieter ride this race and has a chance so I won’t dismiss.
Foundry struggled last start in the open handicap finishing second last about 10 lengths behind eventual winner Mourinho, needs something special in this but it’s a massive step up for both him and Mourinho in this.
It’s easy to say The Cleaner will lead here and with Steve Arnold on board he will have every chance to win this. Star Rolling will be right on the heels of The Cleaner and Foreteller will suit the moderate tempo but it’s worth noting his regular rider Craig Newitt has decided to stick with Mourinho.
Selections
1. Star Rolling 2. The Cleaner 3. Foreteller 4. Mourinho
Join The Roar from 2:50pm AEST for all the action.
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