By Dane Squance
Unbeaten at his last six starts highlighted by victory in the A$10-million The Everest followed by the G1 Darley Classic over 1200m down the Flemington straight; the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Redzel (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) is surely the one to beat. Currently rated the best sprinter in Australia, Redzel has had two starts at Flemington, winning both, and has also had five starts at the distance for two wins and two seconds. After two solid barrier trials in Sydney in readiness, the Kerrin McEvoy-ridden 5-year-old aims to add another Group 1 sprint to his already super impressive record.
A winner first-up during his last two campaigns, at Group 1 and Group 2 level, the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained Redkirk Warrior (GB) (Notnowcato {GB}) has a liking for the track, with the only concern being the 1000m, having never started at the trip, but if he can produce those previous winning performances on Saturday, he is sure to play a part in the finish.
With the field of 10, all racing first-up, many have very good form when stepping out for the commencement of their campaigns, none more so than the war horse Terravista (Aus) (Captain Rio {GB}) with six wins and three placings from 10 first up runs – his only blot coming last campaign when all didn't seem right.
Resurrecting his campaign with a second to Redzel in the G1 Darley Classic on Nov. 11, the Joe Pride-trained gelding also has a very good record at the trip, and like his half-brother and stablemate Ball Of Muscle (Aus) (Dubawi {Ire}) who also contests the sprint, looks capable of running a very good race if things go their way.
The lone 3-year-old in the field is the highly talented Formality (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) who is unbeaten fresh, and while some of her best runs have come over 1200m, the Dwayne Dunn-ridden filly could prove hard to run down if she skips clear late, especially with a significant weight relief from the remainder of the field.
One at odds who is likely to start the outsider of the field is the Marc Conners-trained Super Too (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) who only knows one style of racing, she jumps, leads and plays catch me if you can tactics.
A winner of two barrier trials leading into her first-up run, the half-sister to stakes-winning speedster Super One (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), has five wins at the distance from seven starts, and should be in the race for a long way.
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