Rosehill
Race 9 – Asfoora
Jockey – Tim Clark
1100m Group-1 The Galaxy – Barrier 14
Star mare Asfoora returns to Rosehill this afternoon for another crack at Group-1 glory. The five-year-old daughter of Flying Artie was slow into stride in the Oakleigh Plate four weeks ago, forced wide around the home bend before closing well to just miss third in an on-pace race. She arguably should’ve won this race with even luck last year, never getting a crack in the home straight until the race was over when an unlucky fourth. Jockey Tim Clark rides from the outside today and can let his mare roll forward from the outset, looking to land outside or just behind the speed heading into the bend.
Speed is drawn out with Front Page to go fast and give Asfoora a nice cart into the race early, while Ozzmosis and Passive Aggressive won’t be far away from just inside that pair. Uncommon James can hold his spot on the fence, and Remarque can enjoy a soft trail from a good draw. Wide open affair. Passive Aggressive was a strong first-up winner in the Challenge Stakes, beating some key rivals she meets again today. Out to 1100-metres is in her favour and she should find a forward position before turning for home. Top chance. Ozzmosis led and won the Coolmore at Flemington in his only start last campaign and has trialled well before resuming today. He’s unbeaten fresh (two from two) and can land up on speed again today. Strong claims. Aft Cabin and Private Eye were both good runs behind Passive Aggressive and will appreciate the rise in trip. They’ll be strong late. Sunshine In Paris defeated a strong field in the Sheraco Stakes at her only run last time in, can’t be dismissed. Deep race.
Drawing the extreme outside isn’t a severe disadvantage for Asfoora, who will have a clear path to roll forward and find a prominent position in the run. She’s been good in both runs this campaign and handled this way of going last time here. She meets a quality field but if she breaks cleanly and gets up on speed, will offer plenty in the run home. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Asfoora is an $18 chance in the market.
Morphettville
Race 7 – Prairie Flower
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1200m Listed – Barrier 11
Star Turn mare Prairie Flower returns to her favourite track today in the Listed Matrice Stakes. The four-year-old galloper won at this track and trip comfortably in lesser grade a fortnight ago, earning another shot at Black Type for connections this afternoon. Jockey Madison Lloyd rides from barrier ten and will drift back in the early parts, finding cover and a soft passage throughout the race.
Speed looks genuine early with Nunthorpe to punch forward from a middle barrier, while Grey River and Climbing Star will look to roll across from outside gates and challenge for the top. Shaquero and Boognish will kick-up from inside draws and hold their positions, and no surprise to see Rolls in the thick of the action heading into the home bend. Party Princess sets up for a lovely trail behind the speed, coming here fitter second-up today. She didn’t get a crack at them in the straight when fresh, hitting the line well once clear and the race was over. With better luck today she can be right in the finish. Nunthorpe was game behind an all-the-way leader at The Valley in this grade when resuming, boasting an unbeaten record when second-up (2:2-0-0). Drawn to get the right run here and will get every chance. Grinzinger Prince was runner up in this grade at this track/trip last start. He needs to jump cleanly from gate one but can’t be dismissed as a leading hope. Concede each way chances to Boognish and Grey River.
Prairie Flower will be hoping for a nice tempo up front to set up for those back in the field. She gets in here with a light weight and her record at the track and distance is as good as any in the race (4:2-0-1). She’s fit and racing well, expect her usual honest effort this afternoon. Each way claims.
Currently, Prairie Flower is a $16 chance in the market.
Morphettville
Race 8 – The Autumn Belle
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1600m Listed – Barrier 1
Talented galloper The Autumn Belle gets her first look at Listed company this afternoon at Morphettville. The three-year-old daughter of The Autumn Sun has performed strongly in all five career starts to date, winning twice and never out of the placings thereon. She was rock-solid first-up at Sandown against older horses, finishing a close runner-up and leaving a big gap to third on that occasion. Jockey Madison Lloyd travels over to maintain the ride and can settle midfield on the fence with a nice trail from barrier one.
Zaszou will press forward from gate three and look to hold the top, while Diamonds Choice can go with her and challenge for the lead early on. Expect Justaboom and Spangled Slipper to roll across from out wider and settle handy, with Quickster to take a soft trail from the outset. The galloper has been good at both runs this time in, winning her maiden last start and suited out to a mile today. She hasn’t been missed in the market but does look hardest to beat. Sentimental Flame was sound in an on-pace dominated race when resuming and is another who will benefit from a rise in distance. No surprise to see her running into the finish late. Justaboom won two on the bounce before not measuring up in the Autumn Classic last start. She may have had excuses there, expect her to bounce back here. Zaszou won her maiden from the front last start, but suspect that was the place to be. Place claims.
The Autumn Belle looked the winner at Sandown before fitness may have given way late in the piece. She’ll have no such problems today, but will need even luck to get out and rolling at the right time. Maddi knows her well, she’ll prove hard to beat.
Currently, The Autumn Belle is a $4 chance in the market.