Sir 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.

 

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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