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Studio looked well placed to resume with a win at Canterbury today before being scratched this morning.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The scratching has left the race wide open for other runners to grab the win here, but Studio will not doubt be competitive wherever trainer Chris Waller decides to take him next.
Studio kicked off his career in France under trainer Jean-Claude Rouget where he won both races at Cagnes-Sur-Mer before coming to Australia for OTI Racing.
Under Waller he had a mixed campaign but was super impressive first up when winning at this course and distance by four lengths, making it two first up wins from as many starts.
Three subsequent runs in Saturday grade were mixed, his best coming when running a narrow second behind Hoylonny at Rosehill in Benchmark 82, returning a Timeform figure of 96, the same rating he produced when winning on debut for the Waller yard at this trip.
That figure rates well clear of anything he was taking on today and with credentials over this distance previously further enhanced his chances of winning this race.
The four-year-old gelding will no doubt be looking for further this preparation, but with wins over 1550m and 1600m the shorter journey should not pose any problems.
He has trialled twice, finishing third in his most recent behind a couple of handy gallopers.
Corey Brown who rode the horse in all four runs last preparation will take the ride and although carrying 60kg, has carried 59kg to win in the past.
Studio comes into this with not just the highest Timeform rating but the highest weight Adjusted Timeform rating over the past 12 months of 92 and also rates on top over this distance.
Swift Judgement from the Bart Cummings yard looked the main danger, coming into this on the back of some recent good form and now should prove very hard to beat.
He appreciated the step up in distance two runs back when claiming his second win at Kembla Grange (ATC Meeting), before running a very close second over this C/D last start.
His last start effort rates well enough in this and Hugh Bowman who has a good record on the horse remains onboard.
He is likely to get back in the field from barrier 8 and will be running on strongly over the concluding stages.
His figures do not quite measure up to Studio on best form but with three runs under his belt this preparation, will be fit and the jockey/trainer combination must be respected.
The most interesting runner of the field is four-year-old gelding Messene who is only lightly raced for team Hawkes.
The son of Lonhro only had the one start last preparation which yielded a win and despite a poor effort when resuming at Moonee Valley, he turned it around to run a very narrow second at Sandown last start.
That run produced a Timeform rating of 86, which equalled his best at Canterbury last preparation.
He will no doubt need to take a step up to win this but is a progressive type with upside who will get a good run from the inside barrier.
Messene is likely to settle just in behind Studio from the good draw, the only concern appears to be the 1550m, a trip he is untried at.
After these two there are a couple of each way chances, starting with the resuming Servimoss from the David Vandyke stable.
His form last preparation was good, running a peak Timeform figure of 85 when winning at Mudgee, and getting 3.5kg off Studio will really bring him into it.
Has trialled twice leading into today and on best form will be somewhere in the finish.
Canberra trainer Matthew Dale will bring Prince Warrior to town on the back of solid country form but is proven in this grade, placing here last preparation.
His last start win came at Wagga over 1400m and with the 3kg claim for Lester Grace he will be well down in the weights and pushing forward could prove very hard to run down in this.
He rates well on the weight Adjusted Timeform ratings and at odds could be one to keep a close eye on here.
Chris Waller, who is on track to break the record for most winners in a season in Sydney could also make it a running double at Canterbury with Coup Acclaim looming as a strong chance in the following race third up.
He drops back in grade and with a peak Timeform rating of 91 looks well placed in this.