3 minute read

There were a number of quality performances across the weekend, headed by the progressive Jimmy Rea, who notched up back to back wins on Sunday.

Stepping out for just his third career start, the son of Thewayyouare more than lived up to the hype, when coming from near last to salute in the fifth event.

Jimmy Rea

A notable fifth placing behind the handy My Lucky Strike on debut, Jimmy Rea went on to dominate his rivals at his next start, before recording a new career peak on Sunday.

Ridden by leading rider Manoel Nunes, Jimmy Rea was one of the worst into stride, forced to settle at the tail of the field.

Race leader Hermano Menor was given all the favours in-front, recording 36.37 seconds for the first 600m.

Behind a wall of horses on straightening, Jimmy Rea forced his way into the clear — hitting the line powerfully down the centre of the track.

Hermano Menor stuck on well, but was clearly no match, after being headed by Jimmy Rea inside the 200m.

Improving five pounds on his maiden victory, Jimmy Rea recorded time ahead of the bare form and is clearly a galloper heading in the right direction.

Comparatively he recorded easily the fastest time of the afternoon, marked four lengths quicker than his rivals.

Jimmy Rea averaged 11 second 200m sections for the last 800m and recorded a slick 21.40 for his final 400m.

Trained by Mark Walker, Jimmy Rea is definitely a galloper worth following, as more wins appear in store for the three-year-old.

Hughsy

The Michael Hill trained Hughsy was another galloper who impressed on Sunday, when proving too good in the seventh event.

Dropping back noticeably in grade from his fifth placing in the Group 3 Colonial Chief Stakes, the son of Henny Hughes proved a class above, when saluting by just under two lengths.

Clearly a better horse back on the turf, Hughsy settled midfield under David Flores, before peeled out four-wide passing the 600m.

Travelling strongly entering the straight, Hughsy quickly ambled up to race leader Seed Of Speed, before drawing clear, when asked for his full effort inside the 200m.

Notching up his fourth victory from seven starts, Hughsy is starting to build quite the imposing record, and gives the impression he will only improve further up in trip.

His performance on Sunday saw him record a new career peak and should strip a lot fitter for his next outing, given he returned 5kg heavier.

Likely to be tried in Class 2 company at his next start, Hughsy appears more than capable of rising to the occasion.

Power Lion

On Friday night, the Alvin Tan trained Power Lion headed proceedings, when returning to the winner's stall in the seventh event.

With little separating the main contenders on best form, it remained the stand-out event of the evening, with Power Lion failing to disappoint.

Well supported to start favourite, Power Lion was forced to dig in deep when narrowly beating the Desmond Koh trained Wonderful Prince.

Improving marginally on his previous career peak, Power Lion appears poised to now take that next step.

A winner of five of his nine career starts, Power Lion has only missed the money once in his career and is expected to be better over further.

All bar one of his victories have come over seven furlongs and given the way he finished off his last start, the step up to the mile should suit.

The form through both Wonderful Prince and Indian Jade reads very well moving forward and Power Lion remains in our blackbook.