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NewsSir John Monash Stakes 2016 race preview
15 July 2016 10:41 AM
Race eight at Caulfield this Saturday is the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes, the feature event on the card. Run over the 1100m course and under weight-for-age conditions, connections stand to share in $150,000 in prize money.
The track was rated a Good 4 on Friday morning with the rail out 10m for the entire circuit. The 1100m gives runners 550m to run to the turn into the home straight which is enough time for starters from any gate to get a desired settling position.
Fast'N'Rocking comes off a 2 month freshen after a solid campaign which included finishing 2.3 lengths behind in the Goodwood and a head third in the G3 Hall Mark. Expect Caulfield to suit his running style. One of the main chances.
Wild Rain resumes. First-up last preparation finished within a length second to the Quaterback on the quicker part of the Flemington straight. Was consistently solid in her runs after that. Top record over the distance.
Girl Guide resumes after a light preparation when she ran a forgivable run at Warrnanbool due to the heavy conditions. Before that she ran a close second at Caufield in Listed company after running wide throughout. Runs well at Caulfield and expect her to make her presence felt.
Lord Of The Sky didn't show much last preparation. Excuses in his last run at Rosehill when pulling up lame. Ran second to Chatauqua the preparation before in front of Terravista. Has won first-up. Hard to beat if at his best.
Atmospherical resumes after an ordinary campaign where she didn't appear to be right. Best efforts make her competitive at this grade. Looked good in recent trials.
Thermal Current has proven he is worthy of consideration here with a third last March to Malaguerra and running a close fourth behind the likes of The Quarterback. Bounced back nicely last start at Swan Hill after an ordinary go down the Flemington straight. Hard to catch.
Kayjay's Joy has won all three starts from this distance and is 3-0-1 from five starts at Caulfield. Comes off a good effort when she held her ground in a good field. Can't dismiss.
Runsati was good first-up when 0.8 lengths second. Great second-up record. A bit of a question mark around weight-for-age for him here though.
Trevinder resumes with a 1-3-0 record from 5 fresh starts. Finished a nose second in the listed WJ Adams at Caulfield back in February. Ran a solid race after missing the start last first-up start in slightly weaker grade. Would not surprise to see him figuring in the finish.
Olivier has performed well this preparation. Reports indicate he was amiss at his only poor run. Loves Caulfield. Tested here at weight-for-age but can't dismiss.
Off the others Weinholt can be competitive at his best having beaten Malaguerra last Spring, and Tudor can be in the finish if he finds top form here.
1st Fast'N'Rocking has strong credentials against this field and Caulfield looks set to suit.
2nd Trevinder
3rd Lord Of The Sky
Mike Steward
Sir John Monash Stakes race review
02 July 2015 16:08 PM
Caulfield hosts the feature race this weekend with the running of the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes over the 1100m course. The rail is out 9m for the entire circuit and the track was rated a Good (4) on Thursday morning. Some rain predicted on Saturday so you will need to monitor how things turn out through the day. The 1100m course gives runners a good 700m before they reach the one and only turn into the 367m straight, so there isn't too much advantage for inside barriers.
Lord Of The Sky will be looking to go one better than his previous two runs when he was runner-up in two quality Group 1 races including a nose behind Chautauqua. Before that he wasn't far away from another Australian champion, Brazen Beau. That's pretty hot form coming into a race that he won last year.
Angels Beach looks a worthy contender. Hard not to forgive her sixth last start on a wet Randwick track. She beat Miracles Of Life over a similar distance and likes Caulfield with 2 wins from three starts at the track.
Anatina ran a close second to Tiger Tees in a Group 1 however that was 2 preparations ago. She has mixed her form a bit since then. Capable if she is at her best.
Wild Rain was impressive in her last run in a benchmark 90 race, winning by 2.5 lengths. Harder here but not without claims.
Heart Of A Lion has put in some strong runs this preparation. Not sure that company matches his opponents in this race.
Of the others Pago Rock is some chance. Hasn't won since April 2014 but his recent runs behind Lumosty showed promise.
I think Angels Beach is a very good chance of winning this currently at odds of $6.50. Her form lines rate strongly, she likes Caulfield and she won her last two third up starts. Lord Of The Sky in for second and Pago Rock third.
Mike Steward
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