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Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes: Preview and predictions

(AAP Image/Julian Simth)
Roar Guru
13th July, 2016
7

Hello Roarers, I’m back to help find a winner in the Sir John Monash Stakes, a Group 3 race held at Caulfield over 1100 meters.

Let’s first take a look at a few key runners, starting with Fast N Rocking.

Trained by the dynamic duo David Hayes and Tom Dabernig, this gelding is very consistent and that is shown by his million dollars in prize money.

Last start he finished fourth in the Group 1 Goodwood only beaten 2.3 lengths by Black Heart Bart which is good form for a race like this.

Fast N Rocking is first up on this occasion and tends to run well first up, he has shown a liking to this Caulfield track where three of his five career wins have come. Drawn out in barrier six he should get a good run from that gate and with one of Melbourne’s top jockeys on in Dwayne Dunn, Fast N Rocking will be hard to beat.

Lord Of The Sky is the next runner to look at, this guy is a bit of an enigma on his day he looks like the world’s best sprinter and other times he just looks ordinary.

We haven’t seen Lord Of The Sky since the 19th of March where he finished last in the Group 1 Galaxy behind Griante, in fact last runs both preparation he finished last with some clear issues.

He has trialed since then with the most recent on May 9th, where he was very impressive winning by 7 lengths. If Robbie Laing has him right, Lord Of The Sky could feature in the finish. One pointer: all Lord Of The Sky’s five career wins have all come at Caulfield.

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Wild Rain is a mare trained by Mark Kavanagh, and this girl has talent. That has been shown winning a Stakes race and being placed in some good races behind some quality horses such as The Quarterback.

Last time out Wild Rain finished sixth beaten 1.65 lengths behind Headwater in the listed Kensington Stakes. She comes into this event first up without any public trials so it will be interesting to see how well she is going.

Does have the talent to win, Damien Oliver is back from holidays and takes the ride so he’ll be looking to strike.

Girl Guide formally trained by Hayes and Dabernig, is now trained by Ciaron Maher. She had two starts last preparation, for a second at Caulfield beaten by 0.1 lengths by Sheidel in the listed Bel Esprit Stakes, on that occasion she was first up and boasts a good first up record, she then failed on a heavy track at Warrnambool. She’s back on a firmer track here she should feature right in the finish.

Girl Guide will be ridden by Craig Williams who has a good association with this horse dating back to the days when she was trained by Hayes and Dabernig.

Atmospherical resumes here for Robert Smerdon, this mare has always shown ability but has failed to deliver on occasions. Last preparation she failed finishing in the back half of the field on many occasions, so something tells me she wasn’t quite right.

She has two trials since, with the most recent being on the fourth of July where she won that trial and looked impressive in doing so. That was on the synthetic track at Pakenham which suited her beautifully, doesn’t like the sting out of the track so connections will be hoping for a good track to give her every chance.

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Kayjay’s Joy could be the wildcard. This mare is trained by the Hayes and Dabernig team, and boasts a good first up record with three wins and a second from five first up runs. She also loves the distance where she is unbeaten and loves the Caulfield track where she has three wins and a third from five starts at the track.

Last start saw her finish fifth in the Group 3 Proud Miss where she was beaten 3.6 lengths behind Runaway Star. This is one that could bob up at double figure odds so be wary!

Selections:
Fast N Rocking
Lord Of The Sky
Kayjay’s Joy
Wild Rain

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