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Sires Produce Stakes preview

Sydney racing's day in the international spotlight on Saturday was ruined by persistent rain which forced the postponement of the meeting by 48 hours. It was a controversial call in some camps, but do they honestly think a premier race club would call off its most lucrative day of the season unless absolutely necessary? It was pissing down, was set to continue all day and nothing ruins a track more than heavy rain during a race meeting, where the track gets chopped up and those divots then get filled in with water. It wasn't safe and the right call was made. The participants, both equine and human, must come first, the days of racing and potentially putting lives at risk (in an environment where every race ride carries at least some element of risk) are thankfully long behind us.

The programme goes ahead on Monday, weather permitting. It will be wet, probably in the Heavy 9 region, but it won't be raining throughout the day and deteriorating further by the minute. Race times have all changed AND eastern Australia has ended daylight savings (summer) time, so if you need revised race times against the earlier previews, look here and take away nine (9) hours for UK/Ireland.

Analysing the two year old race, the second leg of the Triple Crown, is racecalling prodigy Luke Humphreys, @worldracingluke

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Inglis Sires Stakes Preview
G1 1400m 2yo
Randwick R6 1425 local 0525 BST
(Europeans please note - the clocks have gone back in Australia since Saturday)


1: PRIDE OF DUBAI: Awesome winner of the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes last start after having absolutely no luck at all and still winning. He’s a monster of a horse. His only run on a wet track was in his last trial, good secoond on March 27 on Soft ground, and he handled it fine. It will be a Heavy10 track at Randwick but he was awesome in the Diamond and probably is looking for further too. The one to beat.

2: MISHANI HONCHO: Consistent Queenslander but probably a tad below the real good ones. Good third two starts ago in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes before a plugging fourth in the G2 Todman Stakes. Should enjoy the wet track although it can miss the start sometimes. If it begins well it could go towards the lead. Place at absolute best.

3: READY FOR VICTORY: Fantastic debut when winning a LR contest up the straight 1000m at Flemington before an excellent fourth in the G1 Golden Slipper, after drifting to the outside of the track. After drifting out in the Slipper, it’s no surprise to see him wearing a Lugging Bit for the first time. The concern is how will he go on a Heavy10 track? And is he still a bit green? Wouldn’t want to take short odds.

4: ODYSSEY MOON: This horse is a bit tricky to work out but in my opinion he needs to be saved for one run and needs a wet track. The one time he had that he was a very good second to Exosphere in the G2 Skyline Stakes. He was a great run in the G1 Golden Slipper, given every chance by Ryan Moore, and showed he needed further. Damien Oliver should be perfect for him and so should the track. In it.

5: TARQUIN: Nice horse. Probably wants it wet than fast when it comes to ground and that’s what he gets today. Very good winner of the G2 Pago Pago Stakes and has showed in his two starts that he wants further. Over 1400m today and with a wet track, it should suit him. Not out of it.

6: RAGEESE: Nice horse who had no luck on debut and then got home strongly for a second to Tarquin in the G2 Pago Pago Stakes. His last two trials have been very promising also. I think he’d prefer it on the faster side when it comes to the ground however. Not the worst. Each-Way.

7: ENGLISH: Very smart filly who was a good second to Vancouver in the G1 Golden Slipper after a good win in the G2 Reisling Stakes, which pointed out to me she’s looking for further than 1200m. Should be fine on the ground, if her soft ground trial win is anything to go by. Very nice chance.

8: PASADENA GIRL: Victorian filly that is so far two starts for two wins and has shown a good will to win in both runs up the straight course at Flemington. I’m not sure if barrier two, going around a bend, is the best draw for her, as she was a bit quirky when close to the running rail in her second trial at Cranbourne, but she could surprise. The question is the ground, will she handle it? The trip should be no problem.

9: ALWAYS ALLISON: Very smart filly in the care of Chris Waller that has been very impressive in every trial and race she’s contested and should be three starts, three wins, if it wasn’t for a horrible ride from Glyn Schofield in the G2 Magic Night Stakes when she was seventh. After that, she now gets “Magic Man" Moreira who will give her every possible chance. Nice Each-Way hope.

10: PERIGNON: Scratched.

11: QUEEN OF WANDS: Is probably a bit of an unlucky horse. Had no luck when fifth in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes last start after a good first win at Sandown. This trip suits her perfectly. Whether the ground does or not is a big question mark. And whether she’s up to this level is another query. Place.

Summary
This is actually a hard race to assess when doing the form. There are some very nice horses and some nice horses. (1) PRIDE OF DUBAI had absolutely no right to win the G1 Blue Diamond but his heart, class and very high ability got him home. He’s got speed as well, evidenced by his run in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude. 1400m should be perfect and I expect him to handle the ground. (4) ODYSSEY MOON needs luck in he’s races but this looks like a nice race for him and just continues to improve and Damien Oliver looks a perfect jockey for him. (7) ENGLISH was fantastic when second in the G1 Golden Slipper, but I just think (1) PRIDE OF DUBAI is a better horse and (4) ODYSSEY MOON has more improvement in him stepping up to 1400m at this point in time compared to her, she’s right in it however. There probably the main three chances in my eyes. (9) ALWAYS ALLISON looks a really nice filly and gets that nice jockey Joao Moreira. (5) TARQUIN continues to improve. So does (6) RAGEESE. I’m laying (3) READY FOR VICTORY, I’m just not sure how he’ll go on the ground and is he still a bit babyish? I’m not sure running him in the Sires’ after the Slipper, knowing his greenness, could be the best thing either. (8) PASADENA GIRL has been very good in her two runs up the straight at Flemington but barrier one and going around a bend concerns me a bit and is she up to this class? (11) QUEEN OF WANDS is very consistent but I don’t think she’s good enough. So too (2) MISHANI HONCHO.

Selections
(1) PRIDE OF DUBAI – (4) ODYSSEY MOON – (7) ENGLISH - (9) ALWAYS ALLISON

Ratings
1 / 4 / 7 / 9 / 5 / 6 / 3 / 8 / 11 / 2.

The Bet
Straight win bet on (1) PRIDE OF DUBAI and a saver on (4) ODYSSEY MOON Each-Way.

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