3 minute read

Some quality three-year-olds resume in this afternoon’s Group Three Eskimo Prince Stakes at Rosehill, most with ambitious Autumn campaigns in the pipeline.

Stakes winners Scissor Kick and Kermadec head the weights on 58.5kgs and both are talented types who should race well under these conditions.

The highest Timeform rated runner in the race is Scissor Kick with a figure of 118 and after adjusting for weight he still holds a slight edge over his rivals.

The big question concerning his chances this afternoon, as well as some others, relates to his fitness and how far from performing at his top the colt actually will be.

Stablemate Panzer Division who resumed last Saturday in the G2 Expressway Stakes, admittedly against older, stronger opposition than contest this race, was well in commission with punters but ran some nine pounds below his best.

If the same fate befalls Scissor Kick today then he should still have enough in hand to scrape home, but it will be no easy assignment.

Scissor Kick has won three of his seven race starts including the Listed Rosebud Stakes and G3 Up and Coming Stakes before being unluckily defeated in a close finish by Hallowed Crown in the G1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m).

Finishing behind Scissor Kick that day was subsequent G2 Stan Fox Stakes and G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win.

Those form lines read as a strong reference to his chances this afternoon.

Scissor Kick was an easy fresh up winner last campaign after coming off two barrier trials. However trained Paul Messara has elected to give the colt a single trial leading into today.

Admittedly Scissor Kick will be much fitter for his effort, with targets such as the G1 Randwick Guineas over 1600m next month pencilled in on his agenda.

That aside Timeform ratings still give him a margin over his rivals today.

The main danger on Timeform ratings is the Waller-trained Delectation but there still remains some query over the figure resulting from his last start second in the G1 Coolmore Classic (1200m) on VRC Derby Day.

All straight races that day were the subject of a howling head wind and any horse that did not have cover for most of the straight was severely disadvantaged.

While Delectation’s form in Sydney prior to contesting the Coolmore was excellent, ratings rise it was around ten pounds inferior to the Coolmore effort where he started one of the outsiders at $51 and under Damien Oliver enjoyed a cosy run away from the effects of the wind.

Oliver produced Delectation late storming home to be runner up behind stablemate Brazen Beau who also benefited from a similar cosy run under Joao Moreira.

This afternoon will give some indication as to the benefit or otherwise of being sheltered from the wind that day.

All the same based on his Sydney ratings, Delectation still commands considerable respect today – his fresh up form is excellent and form lines through the G2 Roman Consul Stakes and Listed Sir Brian Crowley Stakes keep him under consideration. Timeform weight adjusted ratings point to him being not far off Scissor Kick.

Stable mate to Delectation, Kermadec looms as potentially the most promising galloper in the race.

A veteran of just three runs, Kermadec who also resumes, made a rapid progression in a short space of time last campaign going from a maiden win on debut to a G3 victory in the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington improving his Timeform rating 16 pounds.

Currently rated at 109+, Kermadec may find these a bit nippy over the 1200m but he is certain to be finding the line hard over the concluding stages.

While the aforementioned trio all have fitness queries there are no such worries with Harrier Jet and Inz’N’Out both gallopers racing well in lesser grade but clearly with a fitness edge.

On master Timeform ratings they would need to find a few pounds improvement, but on this occasion their fitness edge will out-weight that factor to some extent – whether it is enough to see them cause an upset is the issue.

But one advantage Inz’N’Out does have is his ability to lead unopposed here. With James McDonald in the saddle he could easily steal some soft early sectionals.

Enjoy an intriguing race.