PHEARSON (HUNTER) was unlucky twice along the way, stumbling when going a little slow and pressing early. Last start back and wide in a much stronger race when lacking SWP conditions behind Bella Nipotina. He has had positive results with pull-downs and this is the time when he expects everything possible to improve.
MATISSE (Thousands of Guineas) put their efforts into the foreground. It takes place early, when the winner (Zeitung) is behind the horse before evening. I’m willing to forgive that and add it to my matchup.
WAR MACHINE (Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes) started at a below-average pace in the early and middle stages of the race, setting a blistering pace from Golden Eagle, who was only a few lengths behind. He wasn’t beaten badly and the horses that finished ahead of him were elite. He has lost 5.5kg since his last start and is much better suited to the handicap conditions here. A card that allows you to achieve everything possible.
COASTWATCH (The Hunter) failed last time at Caulfield, but he’s since been back to Sydney, trialled well and looks ready to bounce back. He was hard in the market behind Jimmysstar two back and before that was very good when fresh in the Theo Marks. Through the late autumn and winter he mixed it with the likes of Yellow Brick and Freedom Rally after winning the Luskin Star at Scone. He’s up to this.
STAGE N SCREEN (Thousand Guineas) had an impressive debut win at Seymour but was unlucky in her Melbourne Cup at Flemington. It was advantageous to be over fences that day and the filly was always three wide and looked like she was going to be thrown no matter what she did, but she was strong at the finish and finished fourth. . A much softer gate and a 1600m climb would seem advantageous.
ROLL ON HIGH (Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes) beat Stefi Magnetica in the Fred Best Classic earlier this year, while Tatts Tiara ran a big race behind Bella Nipotina in the Grade A. He continued into the Invitational behind Belkler, who won again, and Magic Time brings a similar profile to last year’s winner as he won this race after competing in the Invitational last year. Books are sticky. Especially if we get a hot fence. But if you can hit a home run, you might be up there.
