THIS ONE COULD BE LIGHT
Ray Thomas and Sky Thoroughbred Central form guru Ron Dufficy discuss the
1. OVERPASS
Recent form: 57x266
Trainer: Bjorn Baker
Jockey: Rachel King
Record: 18: starts: 5-3-0
Major wins: ATC Expressway Stakes Ron Dufficy: Overpass adds plenty of interest with Everest form. He just needs to show he can run the 1500m right out to be very competitive from his good draw.
Ray Thomas: Overpass comes out of The Everest so he has been battlehardened this spring. He’s a talented galloper who beat Anamoe in the Expressway Stakes this year. His good draw is a huge advantage.
12. LIGHT INFANTRY (FR)
Recent form: x9x22x
Co-trainers: C Maher & D Eustace Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Record: 5 starts: 2-2-0
Best performances: Seconds Prix Jean Prat, Prix Haras De Freshna Dufficy: Light Infantry is a young import with some fantastic form overseas. He appears a very progressive horse with great formlines in good races. He might be just too good for them.
Thomas: Light Infantry is still a threeyear-old by northern hemisphere time so he gets a 1kg weight allowance. He’s run successive seconds in Group 1 races in France and comes here with a big reputation. The one to beat.
2. CONVERGE
Recent form: 2-x690
Co-trainers: G Waterhouse & A Bott Jockey: Regan Bayliss
Record: 16 starts: 4-3-3
Major wins: ATC Randwick Guineas, BRC JJ Atkins
Dufficy: Converge has been out of sorts on the wet tracks this spring. This has been his main target all along but he is hard to have on his form.
Converge has been set for this race but his recent form is well below his best. The likelihood of a fast pace and firmer track is in his favour. On his best form, he is way over the odds.
13. WELWAL (GB)
Recent form: x2160x
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Record: 7 starts: 3-2-0
Major wins: Prix de Fontainebleau Dufficy: He’s a very interesting French import loaded with talent as well. He has lured Frankie Dettori to town, this distance is ideal and he has Group form.
Thomas: Welwal was as much as $101 for the Golden Eagle two weeks ago but he’s at $17 now. His two trials since joining the Chris Waller stable have been eye-catching and he looms as a big chance.
3. IN THE CONGO
Recent form: 329x62
Co-trainers: G Waterhouse & A Bott Jockey: Tim Clark
Record: 12 starts: 3-5-1
Major wins: ATC Golden Rose Stakes, ATC San Domenico Stakes
Dufficy: In The Congo is a terrific horse going for the big double, Golden Rose into Golden Eagle. I can see a little bit of value in him as he seems to map perfectly and he’s ready to peak third-up from a spell. Thomas: Won the Golden Rose over 1400m on this track last spring. He’s working his way back to that form again with his last-start Sydney Stakes second. His stamina reserves will be tested but the barrier draw gives him every chance.
14. HINGED
Recent form: 24x533
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Kerrin Mcevoy
Record: 18 starts: 6-4-3
Major wins: ATC Surround Stakes Dufficy: Hinged is a very good mare who has been competing at the top level. Handles all conditions and is strong. The question is: what happens from her wide draw? Thomas: Hinged ran very well in the Epsom, beaten narrowly into third placing. She’s a very good mare who never runs a bad race but her outside barrier is the concern. If she gets any luck in running, she can be in the finish.
4. VILANA
Recent form: 1518x1
Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Nash Rawiller
Record: 8 starts: 5-1-0
Major wins: BRC Fred Best Classic, ATC South Pacific Classic
Dufficy: Everyone was warming to him until the barrier draw. He is a brute of a horse with a very good record and he’s unbeaten second-up from a spell. With any luck from the outside draw, he will be in the finish. Thomas: Vilana monstered his rivals in the Silver Eagle when resuming. The Godolphin galloper is very talented but he has drawn the extreme outside barrier and will need everything to go right.
15. FANGIRL
Recent form: 10x256
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Record: 13 starts: 5-1-1
Major wins: ATC Vinery Stakes, ATC Light Fingers Stakes, VRC Carbine Club Stakes
Dufficy: Fangirl has been badly hampered by wet tracks at her past two starts. Her first-up run behind Anamoe on a drier track is great form for this race.
Thomas: Agree, Fangirl has been by affected by the wet tracks and will appreciate getting back to a track rated close to the good range. She’s a quality mare but is also drawn right off the track next to Hinged.
5.
Recent form: 23x115
Trainer: Peter Moody
Jockey: Luke Nolen
Record: 12 starts: 4-4-2
Major wins: MRC Testa Rossa Stakes Dufficy: I really like I Wish I Win. He was terrific winning at Sandown two starts back but he might have been a little flat when up in distance last start. He’s going to be suited by the fast tempo and I’m expecting a big finish.
Thomas: I Wish I Win was very impressive winning the Testa Rossa then wasn’t at his best in the Toorak. This race will be run at a solid pace which suits him. Expect him to be charging to the line.
I WISH I WIN (NZ) 16. CHAIN OF LIGHTNING
Recent form: x11131
Trainer: Peter Moody
Jockey: Jamie Kah
Record: 7 starts: 6-0-1
Major wins: MRC Tristarc Stakes, MRC WW Cockram Stakes
Dufficy: Interesting mare with a great record. Her only loss was on a Heavy 9 but she is back on a firmer track here and looked strong winning over 1400m last start. She has been a big market mover.
Thomas: Chain Of Lightning began her career on New Year’s Day with a win in an Inverell maiden. Seven starts later, she has won six races and lines up in a $10 million race as a winning chance. She’s very talented and drawn to get the right run.