(1) Commit (Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr, Damian Lane)
Son of Profiteer, who the stable trained. Just had the one jump-out. He showed good gate speed but was asked to settle behind his two runners. Showed a nice turn of foot when asked. Probably going to drift back from the wide gate and spot them a start.
(2) Senza Nome (Andrew Noblet, John Allen)
A son of Everest winner Yes Yes Yes. Comes through the same trial as Commit. Was up on speed there and the pair went to the line locked together. This bloke’s work past the post was solid. He has the benefit of having had two jump-outs, he previously won a heat at Ballarat, again showing speed, pulling away late to win comfortably. He wanted to over-race a touch there but was good. Wide draw a negative but imagine they try and push forward.
(3) Sound System (Jason Warren, Zac Spain)
Had jump-outs at Mornington and Flemington. Reasonably professional 2yo but would’ve liked to see a touch more from this son of Exceedance.
(4) Tornado Valley (Ciaron Maher, Mark Zahra)
This son of Too Darn Hot looks a nice type. He was given a very quiet time down the straight at Flemington but ramped his preparation up with a strong jump-out win at Cranbourne on October 6. Provided he jumps cleanly, drawing the inside alley is key, and Mark Zahra aboard is only a positive.
(6) Free Flying (Team Hayes, Michael Dee)
This could be your leader – she sprung the lids in her recent Caulfield jump-out. A daughter of Snitzel, she ran reasonable time in winning that jump-out but was pushed out to extend. She hasn’t yet seen a rail in either of her jump-outs and did look a little lost in the middle of the track, so finding the fence here could be important. Drawn a good alley and from a stable that dominated 2yo racing last season.
(7) Ladhar (Team Freedman, Craig Williams)
A daughter of Exceed and Excel out of Blue Diamond winner, Lyre. She has got a little keen in both of her pieces of work at Flemington and Mornington. Despite her greenness, she does have good ability.
(8) Rachini (Corstens-Larkin, Ben Allen)
A daughter of Zoustar. Only had the one jump-out where she was awkward to begin at Flemington but recovered. Did resent being restrained early, wanting to race with the mouth open. She ran slick time in spacing her rivals. So long as she jumps well enough, Ben Allen can use that inside draw to have her handy to the speed. Can win.
(9) Rudolfina (Ciaron Maher, Jamie Melham)
A daughter of Blue Point. She finished fourth in her Cranbourne jump-out, but it’s vital to focus on her last 100m, and her 200m past the post – it was clearly the best part of her work. She looks to have a strong turn-of-foot, and whilst these 2yo races are often won up on speed, think this filly will be strong at the end of 1000m when a few rivals are weakening.
(10) Torture (Team Hayes, Ethan Brown)
Two jump-outs for this daughter of Sword of State. The first was very quiet. She then came here to Caulfield where she began well enough before being given a reasonably quiet time in running second. Drawn well, from a 2yo stable, with a good jockey up – but her prep work has probably been a bit below a few of the key chances.
The Verdict: A very even 2yo race. Could have something small on both (8) Rachini and (9) Rudolfina.
