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The final day of the 2014 Melbourne Cup carnival see two excellent group one contests – Emirates Stakes and Darley Classic – both intriguing match ups.
After coming off a resounding victory in the G2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley the improving Hooked from the John Thompson stable looks ideally suited over the Flemington 1600m in the Emirates Stakes
Hooked who was recently purchased by Ultra Thoroughbreds at the Patinack Farm dispersal sale has been in career best form this campaign.Placed in the G1 ATC Derby last campaign, after two unplaced efforts over shorter trips this time in, Hooked stepped out in the G3 Cameron Handicap over 1500m at Newcastle leading throughout to win with plenty of hand.
A luckless third followed in the G1 Epsom Handicap behind He’s Your Man after covering plenty of additional ground in the race, then last time out romped home in the Crystal Mile under weight for age conditions where he ran to a new Timeform peak rating of 121, up a pound from his ATC Derby run.Hooked who has the pace to be handy drops two and a half kilos this afternoon and from his low draw should enjoy the run of the race behind likely tearaway leader The Cleaner who comes off a solid effort in the G1 Cox Plate two weeks back.
The lightly raced Hucklebuck has been in sparkling form and deserves another chance to show his true form at 1600m.The Phillip Stokes trained galloper from Adelaide is unbeaten in two runs back from a spell – first up over 1200m at Morphettville then in the G3 Yellowglen Stakes over 1400m at Flemington on Derby Day where he returned a Timeform rating of 114, still two pounds under his peak rating.
The query for Hucklebuck is the 1600m - he has raced over it twice previously, finishing second in the Carbine Club Stakes last year then a close up eighth behind Shamus Award in the G1 Australian Guineas earlier this year when he was found to have mucus in his lungs after the race.This campaign he looks to have come better than ever, easily accounting for his rivals last time out with the promise of more to come.
Hucklebuck is drawn favourably and should get a nice trail off a hot speed.Speediness has not been the most reliable conveyance in the last 12 months, it now being 427 days and 13 starts since his last win.
That said he has still managed some excellent beaten efforts such as a close third in this race last year behind Boban, runner-up to Gordon Lord Byron in the G1 George Ryder Stakes and second to Trust In A Gust in the G1 Toorak Handicap two runs back.The now seven-year-old was over three lengths astern Hooked last start in the Crystal Mile and has some to find on that effort however Hugh Bowman returns to the saddle and Speediness’ record fifth up from a spell is impressive – four starts for a win and two placings.
Former UK-trained Goldolphin galloper Contributer now with John O’Shea is an interesting runner.At his first start in Australia he could hardly have been more impressive winning over 2000m at Caulfield running to a new career Timeform peak rating of 118 – posting his fifth win in 10 starts.
However he has to come back 400m in trip today, the query being whether he has the turn of foot to match it with this line up.The Cleaner will certainly be in front for a long way but he has had a long tough campaign including a hard last start effort in the G1 Cox Plate so there must be a query about him backing up again and running to top form.
Timeform rated 121, The Cleaner began his current campaign in May, his last win coming two runs back over 2040m in the G1 JRA Cup. Last time out he found the class of the G1 Cox Plate against him, so the drop back in grade today should be a plus.The Team Hawkes trained Leebaz can be a sharp improver after a disappointing effort when resuming at Caulfield over 1400m three weeks back.
Leebaz had excellent form in Sydney and Brisbane when last in work reaching a Timeform rating of 116 when narrowly defeated by Streama in the Doomben Cup.A return to that form sees him in the mix today.
Timeform Ratings
Hooked 138Speediness 137
Bull Point 137Contributer 136p
Leebaz 136Desert Jeuney 135
DARLEY CLASSIC
The clash of the week takes place in the G1 Darley Classic down the straight 1200m this afternoon when Australia’s champion sprinter [nLankan Rupee[/n] takes on crack British sprinter Slade Power, local rising star Chautauqua and evergreen Queenslander Buffering.Lankan Rupee, the highest rated Timeform sprinter on 132 is ready to get close to that figure this afternoon after three very good runs back from a spell culminating with a last start narrow win in the G1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
Read Timeform Review 2014 Manikato StakesAn examination of Lankan Rupee’s rating profile reveals he performs better at bigger tracks like Flemington and Randwick – the scene of his two highest Timeform rated wins in the G1 Newmarket Handicap and G1 T J Smith Stakes respectively.
Lankan Rupee will be having his fourth run back from a spell today - all his first three runs being at Moonee Valley where he has raced well but below the level of his previous devastating wins.With regular rider Craig Newitt suspended, Chad Schofield who was atop the gelding in his Newmarket victory at this track and distance in March this year takes over the pilot duties.
Irish sprinter Slade Power Timeform rated 130 looms as the immediate danger - his presence in the race adding another dimension, as it is normally the Aussie sprinters targeting the big UK sprints.Prepared by Ed Lynam, Slade Power is unbeaten in all three runs, two at group one level, this year bringing with him the best sprinting form in Europe.
Purchased recently by Darley to stand at stud after today’s race, Slade Power burst onto the world sprinting stage with an impressive victory in the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes up the straight 1200m at Royal Ascot where he defeated a handy line-up that included fellow Irish sprinter and recent winner in Australia Gordon Lord Byron.After Royal Ascot, Slade Power then took out the G1 July Cup on the testing Newmarket July course before being prepared for today’s assignment.
The only query is whether Slade Power has settled in well enough to run to form – but all the signs say he is ready to run very well.Exciting local sprinter Chautauqua is the X-factor in the field – winning four of his nine starts but significantly unbeaten in two runs since a spell both down the Flemington straight 1200m - first in the G3 Bobbie Lewis then the G2 Gilgai Stakes.
The Gigali win saw Chautauqua go to a new Timeform peak rating of 124+, still a way under Lankan Rupee and Slade Power but with plenty of upside.Sit back and enjoy a great sprint contest.
Timeform Ratings
Lankan Rupee 142Slade Power 140
Buffering 136Chautauqua 136p
Rebel Dane 133