With the Gr3 Flamboyant Stakes at the end of the month, a number of these runners will be warming up for a crack at valuable black type in the River Indigo Handicap that heads the card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Wednesday.
That said Acacia’s Blossom comes from the very much in form Louis Goosen stable and has been in good form over shorter but she is effective over this trip and should run a big race. Foreshore is the class of the race and has won three out of four starts for Duncan Howells. She could prefer it a furlong further but will be backed up by stable companion Lucky Miss who is never far back. She was a game winner last time out and should contest the finish.
The better bets could come early. Although there are some first timers in the card opener Run To Rio tried further last run but has shown his best over course and distance and rates the horse to beat although has had pulled a wide draw. Future Saint raced green on debut but is sure to come on from that effort. Frank Robinson’s runner Lashlaroo has drawn on the other side of the barrier to Run To Rio. He has also been tried over further at his last two but his best form has been over this trip. Of the first timers, Global Eternity makes his debut for the very much in form Mike Miller stable and one to watch.
The Shepherd lost his battle with the vet after his antics at the gate at his second start but has been better behaved since. He has drawn a little wide in the second but has been coming to hand with every outing. Has been tricky at the gate but should be at his peak. Fire Tonic has not been far off them of late and goes well this trip and should be involved in the finish. Torix Night found market support last run but was a modest fourth. The shorter trip should suit as this only his third run. Helsinki was a little disappointing last start after a promising previous effort on the poly. Chance of he can repeat that showing.
The third is a tricky handicap. Quanabi ran a cracking race from a wide draw last time put. He has a better draw here and must have a strong chance. Can’t Catch Me has a wide draw but was only a neck behind Quanabi when last they met. The meet on similar terms. Skytrix won well on debut but got a hefty rating for her effort. However, she meets a modest field here and can follow up as the extra 400m should suit.
The fourth is another wide open handicap but Kimball O’Hara made a promising debut for his new stable and now has blinkers which could see him make the required improvement. Wylie Riley has been in good form and has climbed the ratings. However, he has the best of the draw and can follow up. Sundance Kid was narrowly beaten by Wylie Riley last time out and is now 1.5kg better off in the handicap. However, he does have a wide draw to contend with. Captain Who comes from a very much in form stable but the widest draw is of concern.
Intrepid has been holding form well and with a two-point drop in the handicap and a 4kg apprentice up he should be more than just competitive in the fifth. Stable companion Purple Powahouse can do better than his last effort when ridden by an apprentice. Muzi Yeni takes over and he can go close. Quiz Master seems best on the poly but has been consistent of late and the stable is in form. Happy Wanderer is not the easiest so cannot be relied upon but his is capable of following up if in the mood.
The in form Louis Goosen yard has a host of runners on the day, many win with chances and Donquerari looks to be one of his stronger entries. The gelding has been in good form of late and goes well on this course. He may prefer it a touch shorter but should still run well. Patronage is never far back and is over his best trip and with a handy weight rates a strong chance. Thisiswhatitmeans has only been out of the money once in seven starts and won well first up out of the maidens. Still improving and can go in again.
Goosen saddles Rodriguez in the eighth. The gelding ran below best last start in spite of his light weight. The stable rider puts up over weight but his mount is both course and distance suited and obviously preferred to stable companion and recent winner Cyber Time. Golden Peace is lightly raced and has won both starts for his new stable and does seem progressive. Turbo Boost improved last run in the soft and is now 4.5kg better off with Nelson Bay who got a six-point jump in the handicap after his last win but he is in good form and was a comfortable winner over course and distance.
Michael Roberts could hold the key in the last win Flying The Star who is back over her best course and distance. She is in good form and with a 1.5kg allowance from the saddle she should have a big chance. Vision Of Will is in smart form for Paul Gadsby and over her best trip. Her recent form has worked out well. War Empress has a big weight but her best recent effort has been over course and distance behind stronger. Hereinafter is never far back and has been dropping in the handicap so cannot be ignored.
