3 minute read

Honest galloper Yulalona may well end up a value runner in today's Stowe Australia Christmas Cup (race 6) at Rosehill.

The lightly-raced gelding, a son of Dubai Destination, is ready to win after three runs from a spell and looks ideally placed by the 2400m journey now.

As a three-year-old, Yulalona won fourth up last campaign over 2000m at Randwick which was a win that booked a trip to Queensland for the Group 1 Queensland Derby at his next start.

There, over the 2400m classic trip, he worked across from an outside gate to lead and was still there well into the straight before being swamped late, finishing a 2.7 length fourth behind Shootoff.

Nevertheless it was a great run after working early.

This campaign he returned as a four-year-old and ran a respectable ninth fresh up over a shorter trip behind Somepin Anypin in the Filante Stakes.

He then was sixth behind the same galloper in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Cup over a mile, winding up late after turning near last.

Last start, to 1900m for the Listed Underwood Cup at Canterbury, he was able to settle closer with the easier tempo and raced just off the pace throughout.

Turning fifth he knuckled down strongly and hit the line well for a neck second behind Zara Dancer.

Yulalona is ready for the longer journey now and rises only a half a kilo to 53.5kg for today's race.

He has drawn well again for Corey Brown and rates as a top chance.

With a wave of money coming for the Victorian Sea Galleon, Yulalona might be close to each way odds and look certain to be in the finish again.

Progressive galloper Sea Galleon is in career best form and can bring up his first black type success in today's race.

The lightly raced gelding, prepared by Colin and Cindy Alderson, resumed with a 1400m Ballarat showcase win.

He then only got arm late over a mile at Cranbourne when beaten just over a length, before stepping up to 2000m at Flemington on Emirates day where he raced close to the speed and only battled home to finish seventh.

That effort was a below par run and maybe he just had an off day because next start, over 2040m at Moonee Valley, he was back to his best with a fats finishing win.

Last start, to 2400m for the first time at Betfair Park Hillside, he sat fifth in the run but cruised away with a four length win.

Today he races over the same journey but faces his toughest test.

He stays at the 53kg though and has drawn for a good run.

Since the betting opened there he been a flood of money for the gelding and he is now a clear cut dominant favourite.

Local rider Glyn Schofield takes the mount and he looks hard to beat again.

That pair look clearly the two to beat but there are a host of others you could entertain for the minors.

Scottish Border ran on well to place in the Underwood Cup and should prove hard to hold out again with a repeat of the run.

The gelding is fitter again and with a light weight again looks a danger.

It's been a long time since a win but he should be warming up late.

Another that gets back and runs on is Count Encosta.

Another who finds it hard to win, he came from last in the Underwood Cup to finish fourth.

He meets the two placegetters worse at the weights for being beaten but will be stronger than anything over the last furlong.

Strike One was flat second up after a win at big odds fresh but with Rawiller aboard, who has a real affinity with the veteran, he could well prove the knockout again.