With the Hayes' and Dabernig combination saddling up one-third of the runners in Saturday's $1.25-million G1 Newmarket H. down the Flemington straight, the Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained Booker (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) has been in great form this time in and at the weights, and the 3-year-old filly should be able to run a very cheeky race from barrier three and knock out the favoured runners.
A winner of the G3 Kevin Hayes S. first-up on Feb. 10, the filly took on the open class in the G1 Oakleigh Plate, finishing in fourth, less than a half-length from the winner Russian Revolution (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) when carrying 51.5kgs. She drops down to 50kgs on Saturday and has an inside barrier.
Successful in the G1 Lightning S. on Feb. 17, Redkirk Warrior (GB) (Notnowcato {GB}) has three wins from four starts at the track, twice at Group 1 level, and there is no reason to think he has not come on since his first-up win and should be powering late to take the prize.
Last spring's G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner Merchant Navy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who now races in the Coolmore navy after a stallion deal was done, is unbeaten at the track going two-for- two, and is also unbeaten at the distance recording three-from- three. With the Hong Kong-based Chad Schofield taking the mount, a victory by the 3-year-old colt would surprise no one and could be the catalyst to a possible Royal Ascot tilt.
Dropping back from his victory over stablemate Tosen Stardom (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Futurity S. on Feb. 28, the Darren Weir-trained Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Phantom {Jpn}) has four top three-placed performances from six starts at the distance.
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