Doncaster Prelude race review

28 March 2015 11:16 AM

Nine horses are contesting the Doncaster Prelude at Rosehill Gardens today. The 1500m gives runners 450m down the back straight before they enter the side turn. Bookies have Lebaz favourite to win at $3.40. Bookies reported a $3,200 bet on him at $3.50 earlier in the week.

Lebaz is second-up here today after running 6th over 1300m in Group 1 company last start. Second-up last preparation he ran a good 4th, 2.2 lengths behind Hucklebuck in the Emirates over 1600m after an ordinary first-up run before it.

The last run for Rudy is better than it appears on paper. He ran 2.8 lengths 8th behind Burbero in a Group 2 over 1500m but was wide during the running with no cover. Before that he ran a good second in a Group 3 race. His Villiers Stakes win in December over 1600m at Randwick holds him in good stead here and he is definitely one of the chances.

I like the form lines and preparation for San Diego. His last start third just behind Ninth Legion lines up against Contributer over middle distances and James McDonolad back on board should give him an extra boost.

Excess Knowledge ran a good 1500m in the Group 2 Shannon last preparation when he ran 3 wide without cover during the trip and managed to finish a respectable 4 lengths from the winner. Started this preparation with two trials and then a win in mid-week provincial grade over 1300m.

Punters haven't yet seen the Bull Point from last Spring in this preparation yet. First-up was a reasonable 5th in Group 3 company over 1200m but disappointed in the Group 1 Futurity thereafter. Back to Sydney again for a chance to find his old form which he will need if he is going to trouble this lot.

Malavio has had a good preparation finishing well in his last two outings. He hasn't won since September 2013 but can turn that around if he produces his best efforts here today.

Good form in easier races for Snippets Land. He is a horse with some ability but he will find the opposition a bit tougher today.

Some good bets landed for Spy Decoder with several Australian bookmakers reporting bets as high as $5,000 on the Cummings trained horse. He did not disgrace when debuting in stakes grade last start finishing just half a length behind the winner. Good chance.

I like San Diego to win here. I think he will improve on his impressive first two runs this preparation and take this out. I have Malavio in for second. His preparation has been good and he should figure in the finish. Labaz in for third.

Mike Steward