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Horses to follow: Saturday, March 27th

Tim Geers and Trent Crebbin provide their horses to follow and horses to sack from Rosehill and Bendigo.

verry-elleegant-ranvet-stakes

The Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill took place a week later than expected, with Stay Inside claiming the $3.5million feature. Mo’unga atoned for his luckless run last start with a tough win in the Rosehill Guineas, Think It Over caused a boilover in the George Ryder, Eduardo stamped himself as potentially the best sprinter in the country, while Verry Elleegant got one back on arch rival Addeybb in a stirring Ranvet Stakes battle.

In Victoria, Ironclad continued his unbeaten record in Australia, claiming victory in the Golden Mile at Bendigo. Starry Legend took his record to two from two with a dominant display in the VOBIS Gold Rush, and Annavisto claimed the Bendigo Guineas.

Tim Geers and Trent Crebbin have reviewed each meeting and provided their list of horses to follow and horses to sack below.

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Rosehill

HORSES TO FOLLOW

Addeybb – He was terrific in defeat if you consider the fact he had a hoof problem leading up to the race, and he contested it first up while Verry Elleegant was third up. He’s won five of his six starts when second up and bolted in to win last year’s Queen Elizabeth at that stage of his prep, so I’d be forgiving him and going again in a couple weeks. He can turn the tables on Verry Elleegant.

Eduardo – Proved his first up win over Nature Strip was no flash in the pan, bolting in to win The Galaxy by 3.5L. Should he be favourite for the TJ Smith Stakes?

Dirty Work – Had no luck at all in the Oakleigh Plate, and once again had a chequered passage in the straight in The Galaxy. The form guide will say he was beaten 6.1L by Eduardo, but he drew 12, went back and ran into traffic for half of the straight. His effort to finish as close as he did was sound and if he can find a second-string sprint race, he’ll be winning.

Mo’unga – Big win in the Rosehill Guineas. They’ve chosen to avoid going to the Derby, meaning in all likelihood we’ll see him contest the Doncaster with around 50kg. It’s either that or they go to the Queen Elizabeth, but I don’t think they’ll do that. 2000m back to 1600m with no weight on his back looks a good set up for a Doncaster, so he should be right in the mix there.

Wandabaa – Once again just had too much to do from the wide gate, having to go back and come widest on the turn, while Seasons enjoyed the run of the race from an inside gate. I think she’s run really well in both runs back and if she finds a suitable race, she’ll be winning soon.

She’s Ideel – probably the horror show of the day for punters. I’ve said all prep that third up at 2000m was the time to get on, and she should have won easily. She was bottled up on the rail behind a wall of horses and by the time she got out, the race was over. She’ll be very short next time she lines up but if it’s a similar race to the one she contested on Saturday, she should repay those who stick with her.

HORSES TO SACK

Doubtland – I think the Darby Munro Stakes will prove to be a decent form reference, but he’s shown very little in his two starts back from a spell, despite starting single figures in both.

Dadoozdart – He’s never been one of mine, but he’s now started $5.00, $12, $5.00, $6.50 and $7.00 in five starts this prep and has only one placing to show for it, which was in a weak Canberra Cup.

Written Beauty – The jury was out after she was well-beaten in G2 Challenge Stakes, and she’s sacked after a lacklustre performance in the G3 Birthday Card Stakes on Saturday. Next prep.

Mornington

The track was upgraded throughout the day to a good 4 and did race quite firm all day. It was generally quite fair, perhaps a slight advantage on speed but generally it was tempo related.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

Frostin’ – The winner, Starry Legend, was fairly dominant again leading all the way but this colt went right back from a wide gate and ran on very well to grab 2nd. He does have the pace to settle on speed or even lead. Being a VOBIS horse, I’d expect him to be targeted at The Showdown, which was won by Khoekhoe last year. He’d be a decent chance in a race like that.

Saunter Boy – Bit of a left field one but I thought he ran very well first up with 61kg. He’s more of a jumper these days which is not my strong suit, but whatever his target is at the Bool I’d be keeping an eye on him because I think he’s come back well.

Good And Proper – Just keeps racing well in this sort of grade, generally at big prices. Went around $13 here and just missed from a long way back. Can be followed with the right set up around the bm78/84 mare’s grade.

Chantrea – Big Victorian debut from the WA mare, forced to sit 3 wide no cover the trip and fought on well for 3rd. Can only improve off that and I’d look to follow her up to 1600m next start because I think she can win a black type race here this prep.

Explosive Jack – Wasn’t hard to miss this effort from Explosive Jack who had to carry 58kg and wasn’t given a great ride. He jumped with the eventual winner but was allowed to drift back, eventually ending up last on the rails. He tried to loop the big field and was really eating up the ground late to run 2nd. Heading towards a St Leger at Flemington he’ll be very hard to beat at level weights.

Mozzie Monster – Was good late first up and the market really found her on Saturday. She just got too far back behind Annavisto and made excellent late ground. She was 1100-1400 there and 3rd up, likely at 1400m again with a slightly more positive ride, she’ll go very close to winning.

HORSES TO SACK

Saracen Knight – He was awful first up in the Wangaratta Cup and was just as bad here. There was a bit of market support to suggest he’d turn his form around, but he was beaten out of sight and just hasn’t come back the same horse as last prep. Impossible to back in anything.

Starcaster – Had a very good prep but coming back out of the Adelaide Cup looks to have put an end to his prep because he had every chance and did nothing here. Wouldn’t be shocked if he spells but if they press on I’d be against him in any Saturday staying race.

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