3 minute read
Honest sprinter First Command can return to winning form in today's Listed Kensington Stakes (race 6) at Flemington.
Prepared by Anthony Freedman, the lightly raced gelding is well suited at Listed level up the straight course and from a high drawn looks hard to beat.
Last campaign he resumed over 1000m at Moonee Valley in the Group 3 McEwen Stakes at weight for age and after settling off the speed boxed on well for a close up fifth.
First Command then raced in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield and sat fourth in the run before looming up and finishing runner up.
Last start of the spring was in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes up the straight 1200m here, and after settling sixth and looming up to third faded out of it late as the swoopers arrived and finished seventh.
After a break he resumed over 1200m in the Listed Doveton Stakes at Caulfield and drew an inside gate.
Settling second before taking over on the bend, he fought on well and looked home but was run down in the last few strides, finishing third in a tight finish behind Chasm.
Today he looks well suited coming back in journey to 1000m and he looks suited also by the high draw.
Steven Arnold is aboard this time and with a lighter weight and the run under his belt he looks the one to beta again.
Another honest sprinter General Truce could be the value runner.
The gelding is rarely out of the finish with five wins and 11 minors from 25 career runs and a few top four finishes as well.
Last campaign he raced 10 times and failed to weigh in just once, finishing off the season with a fast finishing fourth in the Listed Lightning Stakes at Morphettville.
After a good break he resumed over 1000m at Moonee Valley and ran on well for a half length third, before tackling 1100m at Caulfield and again running on hard for third, again beaten less than a length.
Last start, over 955m at Moonee Valley, he raced across to sit second and fought on well for a head win over Weekend Special.
He meets that runner no worse at the weights here and is suited by the trip and the straight track, having won his only try here at the journey.
On his honest record he looks a top each way chance here.
The two mares in the race Obsidian Dragon and Star Of Giselle both tackle tougher grade but might be fighting out the finish for one of the minors.
Obsidian Dragon is in sparkling form, winning her last three, including the latest at Moonee Valley where she carried 59.5kg and won by almost three lengths.
With the lighter weight today she will take some running down on her top record at the trip.
Star Of Giselle resumed at Flemington in easier grade and ran on from well back to finish runner up.
She will be fitter and will appreciate the good pace and the light weight.
The only colt in the race, Decircles, is resuming and may find this a shade short of his bets but there has been significant money for him over the last 48 hours.
With his light weight and strong finish he could be the knockout horse.
