By Dane Squance
Stunning when capturing the G1 TJ Smith S. on Apr. 14 by two lengths, his second elite level score, the Gerald Ryan-trained Trapeze Artist (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) looks hard to beat in Saturday's G1 All-Aged S. over 1400m. Jumping around slightly in his distances of late, the 3-year-old colt will surely secure himself a more lucrative stud deal if he can claim a third Group 1 victory.
Around this time last year, Godolphin's It's Somewhat (Dynaformer) resumed with a Group 3 win followed a victory over this year's G1 Doncaster winner Happy Clapper (Aus) (Teofilo {Ire}) before travelling to Queensland for further stakes success. If anywhere near that form, the 7-year-old could surprise quite a few. Three runs back over 1400m saw Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Phantom {Jpn}) snared the G1 Futurity S. at Caulfield and having never finished out of the places at the trip, the Darren Weir-trained A$2.3m earner puts up a strong case.
Second on four occasions from five starts at the trip, including second in this race last year, the Kris Lees-trained Le Romain (Aus) (Hard Spun) will be third-up after a pleasing fourth behind Trapeze Artist in the TJ Smith S.
Placed in three of his four runs this time in, blue-blood colt Showtime (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) is likely to sit handy, and if the pace is only moderate, he could sprint when rounding the turn and be hard to run down. Winless since the Listed Albury Cup in March 2016, but with 11 placed efforts, all at black type level since, the Chris Waller-trained Tom Melbourne (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) is statistically a place chance, although categorically he's not a winning chance. Not having raced since his failure in the G1 Australian Cup over 2000m at Flemington, Godolphin's Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) drops back to the trip of his most recent Group 1 victory, when winning the CF Orr S. at Caulfield in February. Given an easy time in a recent barrier trial, jockey Hugh Bowman rides the 7-year-old in an attempt to reinvigorate the multiple Group 1 winner.
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