1. Taiyoo: Thought his first up run was very very good considering the unsuitable 1400m distance. Horrible barrier drawn in 17 today but up to 1700m has to be suitable for this talented group winner. Watch for a very good run with a Caulfield Cup target not out of reach for mine…
2. Extra Zero: Did everything expected of him first up running 2nd to Charmed Harmony. Extra distance today will obviously suit but most likely a soft track which he has never won on. Needs a good track to find his best.
3. Excess Knowledge: Talented type who ran well enough on speed over 1400m last start in WFA-G2 when 2L 5th. Well back in class here yet only gets the 58kg so looks well suited. Should be no issues with the distance selected today and should run well. Barrier looks the main issue… will he really get on speed from there? Doesn’t have to be on speed has the ability as shown 3 runs back to come from the back. I think this is one horse that isn’t suited by Gai’s training mentality of on speed and i’d love to see them take a sit.
4. Escado: Finally got a win to finish off the prep… costly horse just missing so many times. Not expected to find a huge amount first up today but can run well from the barrier with cover.
5. Sonntag: Just here for the run building into a cups prep as seen by last prep when built into the distances.
6. Bold Sniper: Queens horse, import that’s been sent over and clearly suited to further. Tricky type but can run well at this distance.
7. Maygrove: Disappointing two runs in Aus when beaten by Phrases then failed next start. Some of these NZ types need a second run in Aus to find their best… won at 1800m last prep so distance shouldn’t be the issue.
8. La Amistad: Flemington win over 3200m to finish last prep. Clearly needs further.
9. Let’s Make Adeal: Best rating runs in the past suggest she can run well today. First up always goes okay and distance not bad but never won at track and prefers a longer straight. Barrier is horrid.
10. Travolta: Old mate looks absolutely done on his three runs. Take on.
11. Dylan’s Promise: South African import FM-GP2 winner. Showed absolutely nothing first up on the soft. Needs further than this still to find best.
12. Lord Durante: Close but missed last start at MV over 2000m. Has in the past successfully gone up in distances and dropped back to 1600m or so successfully. Take on at your peril especially in the Quaddie.
13. Iggimacool: Old mate loves to chew our cash with three flashy runs but losing all three. Bossy onboard hurts chances and so does barrier, but you have to believe if she runs up to last start she is a big chance.
14. Onpicalo: Had all the favours last start. Up in weight today certainly doesn’t help and won’t get an easy time to control it out front either.
15. Magnapal: Big win first up at Sandown when wasn’t considered a chance in the market. Looks in for a good prep based on that run and should be able to measure up to this class. Could go under the radar and barrier 2 will give him a perfect stalking run.
16. Dig a Pony: Had the race run to suit last start at course and similar distance… will have it run that same way again today but much harder competition.
17. Pacficic Heights: First emergency.. stable believes he is going well enough to measure up… i agree last start was a good run but not so sure personally he has the ability to beat all these.
18. Another Lad Al: Not here mate!
Comments: Iggimacool being the favourite with Glen Boss onboard is quite laughable for what looks a very tricky end to the Quaddie. Bold Sniper also looks well under the odds and even Excess Knowledge can’t be trusted from that barrier at the price. Magnapal appeals at the price but I get the feeling Lord Durante will be perfectly positioned to pinch this when it matters. Watch for Taiyoo running on luckless.
Confidence 65%
Quaddie Leg Four: 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 15
Strategy: Lord Durante E/W
