It's Showtime in the Futurity

With six of the 11 acceptors for Saturday's G1 Futurity S. (1400m) at Caulfield having last raced in the G1 C.F. Orr S. on Feb. 10, 3-year-old colt Showtime (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) heads into the A$500,000 contest off slightly different form lines. Second up last campaign, the full-brother to Group 1 winner Sweet Idea (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) only claimed a Wyong maiden, but the impeccably-bred colt has improved significantly since then, capturing the G2 Stutt S. at Moonee Valley on Sept. 29. First-up this prep the Hawkes Racing-trained colt finished a gallant second to Trapeze Artist (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) in the G2 Expressway S. with the beaten brigade including last week's narrow G2 Apollo S. runner-up Global Glamour (Aus) (Star Witness {Aus}).

The only other 3-year-old in the field, the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) was one of a handful of unlucky runners in the C.F. Orr S., with many saying the flashy colt should've finished closer than his seventh, beaten less that a length by Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}).

With the first 11 finishing under 2 1/2 lengths from the winner in the C.F. Orr, another who was extremely unlucky when trying to gain clear running was the Darren Weir-trained Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Phantom {Jpn}), whose last 100m was outstanding, when charging into third, while his stablemate Tosen Stardom (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) also recorded a very good final sectional when 11th, and with good second up form, the stallion should play his part in the finish.

Third up last campaign, the Anthony Freedman-trained Mr Sneaky (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) produced an eye-catching performance when a narrow second in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. over 1400m at Caulfield, and with similar conditions on Saturday, the 4-year-old is more than capable on improving off his length and a quarter 8th in the C.F. Orr.

Chris Waller's mare Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), is a winner at the track and distance and with three wins from five starts when racing second up, jockey Michael Dee should be able to harness the finishing sprint she possesses to ensure forward finish.

With his last 20 starts all at black-type level, the Robbie Laing-trained Lord Of The Sky (Aus) (Danerich {Aus}) is searching for that elusive Group1 victory before he retires to start stallion duties this season, and after his narrow fifth behind Hartnell (GB) last start, the 7-year-old should be able to take up the running and if he leaves the gates cleanly, and doesn't use up much energy, could prove hard to run down.