3 minute read

Stratford can do it again after an impressive win

SR 1: (5) VALDHEZ - Wyong trainer Kim Waugh has got her hands on an exciting prospect with this High Chaparral gelding showing great talent to win two of his first three starts split by a luckless sixth. Left some talented types struggling in his wake over 1400m at Rosehill on July 16 when he scored by an unextended 3.3 lengths and should take a 2kg weight increase and the extra 100m of this event in his stride. Looks destined to be a player in better races.

SR 6: (5) FORETELLER - Yet another classy import in the Chris Waller stable who really made an impact in his first short local campaign when he was desperately unlucky in the Scone Cup before a soft win over 1600m at Randwick at the end of May under 58.5kg. Trialled in great style at Rosehill last week to be primed for a big fresh run and with Damien Oliver taking the ride can see him being the best value runner among the big team the top stable is lining up in this strong winter feature.

SR 7: (11) STRATFORD - Produced one of Sydney's most impressive restricted class winter wins for some time when he resumed to score with ridiculous ease over 1100m at Rosehill on 16 July. It was only his fourth career start and with his natural improvement he could not be better placed to take the next step towards Group company by staying on the limit weight over the same course and distance.

ONES TO AVOID

SR 8: (4) BEREFT - Honest gelding got his reward when he toughed out game win over 1300m on the Kensington track on 6 July. Will be tested to repeat against tougher rivals from a horror draw.

CAULFIELD - tips by Wayne Bristow

MR 3: (10) GOOD VALUE - Hopefully it's right by name, right by nature. Stable have had a lot of luck with G Boss, especially in distance type races and the barrier just emphasises that he'll go back anyway. He worked home nicely to run fourth in the Winter Championship Final, coming from near last and this is possibly easier. This distance is as far as he's gone before but if last effort was anything to go by, he can handle that in a breeze.

MR 8: (2) MR MAKE BELIEVE - Seems in the right race again from a trainer renowned at doing it that way. One of the best horses out of the gates in racing, he looks to ping out and control this too. 1400s here are like that and whatever the track conditions, little phases him. Just can't knock him the way things are going.

ONES TO AVOID

MR 6: (6) SECOND EFFORT - Punters, especially those who bet on the tote, love investing on picket fence runners and this bloke fits the bill. Graduated to two recent Saturday class races last couple but the form hasn't stacked up from those events. Now heads into a G3 race and while that certainly doesn't fit these horses, he will have to lift again. A relatively dry surface is also against him.

DOOMBEN - tips by Wayne Bristow

BR 6: (5) STARTSMEUP - Looks superbly placed after the claim dropping 6kg from the first up run. The step up in trip is essential as his best is over 1400m and on the dry. Assuming the conditions are sound, his second up record can be overcome as they've been on the wet or in tougher races. The trainer is winning as well so happy to back him.

BR 8: (1) EXCELLANTES - Takes on a similar race to last time and possibly only needs ¾ of the luck he got then to win again. After the claim sits at the same weight as he scored two weeks ago and if Startsmeup can win earlier in the day as we hope it's another pointer to the son of Falvelon. Looks to get a soft run again from the gate and can back up his career high rating from last time.

ONES TO AVOID

BR 3: (1) INTERNAL REVENUE - Will be right in the betting in this juvenile race and the barrier will only help that along. But it was entered for Sydney last week, didn't run and now has to lump 59.5kg in a competitive field. Will he be able to bring city wins (on provincial tracks) to town and succeed?

AR 6: (6) HOMICIDE HANK - Handy galloper with a big finish. Ran on from the back last time and will be fitter again. Has a change in rider this time and should be hitting the line hard.

AR 7: (7) SPURCIFIC - Nice Victorian filly who never runs a bad race. This looks ideal to add some black type to her record before seasons end. Drawn for a goof run and with any clear running will be charging home late. Has a big finish and hard to see her not running into it.

ONES TO AVOID

AR 8: (4) ATLANTA FALCON - Ran on well here fresh to finish third. Will be all the rage here on that run but tends to always start fancied, however has only won two races. Up in weight, similar draw and this field certainly no easier. Skinny odds again.