The 2014 G1 NZ 2000 Guineas winner Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) made a big impression when winning three of four Australian outings last season, including the G1 Emirates S. and the G2 Crystal Mile, and the 4-year-old continues his buildup to that favoured distance in Saturday's 1400 metre G1 Futurity S. at Caulfield. Debuting over this track and trip in the G1 C.F. Orr S. two weeks ago, Turn Me Loose tired in the closing stages, but his second-up record is much more telling: he has won two of three tries at second asking, while he has never won at first asking, so should be geared up to go Saturday. Turn Me Loose is the latest project of New Zealand trainer Murray Baker, who has produced horses like It's A Dundeel (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Mongolian Khan (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) to win major Australian features.
The 14-1 winner of the C.F. Orr was the 4-year-old mare Suavito (Aus) (Thorn Park {Aus}), and she goes into this with plenty to recommend her, having also won this race last year. She is clearly at home over this track and trip and, along with last year's G1 Myer S. winner Politeness (Aus) (Street Sense), gets a five-pound weight break from the boys. Politeness, who has yet to finish out of the top two in five starts since last June, was second to Turn Me Loose in the Emirates and filled the same position in the G2 Rubiton S. two weeks ago.
The reliable Boban (Aus) (Bernardini) ran admirably to be sixth first-up in the C.F. Orr after losing plenty of ground early, and 5-year-old gelding Hucklebuck (Aus) (Elvstroem {Aus}), who has run just three times in the last 16 months, was a strong third first-up in the Orr.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
