3 minute read

Cracking day of racing at HQ this Saturday with the $20 million Group 1 The TAB Everest (1200m) and the $5 million Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m), the two headline acts.

Looking to strike early in the day in the Group 3 The Star St Leger Stakes (2600m), with the Bjorn Baker trained Alegron.

The six-year-old gelding went to a new level over the Queensland winter carnival when taking out the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) last June and finishing a narrow second in the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) on July 14.

Third up today, after stalking the speed early in the Group 1 The Metropilitan (2400m), Alegron finished an unlucky ninth after running into dead ends all the way up the straight, and Rachel King never got a chance to fully test him late.

A small field from the good gate gives King options on Saturday, and ensures she won't encounter the same problems. Military Mission is likely to go out at an even tempo and Alegron can park midfield and swoop late. 

Our next best comes up in race 2, the Big Dance Wild Card (1600m) with the Michael Freedman trained Ducasse.

The underrated entire won the Group 3 Carbine in the heavy conditions over this track and trip last April, and he looks primed for this fourth up today.

Last start Ducasse was snagged back from the wide gate and was forced to cover plenty of ground before running on to finish seventh at this course and distance two weeks ago.

Expect to see him settle a little closer on Saturday and prove hard to hold out with the in form Zac Lloyd taking the ride. The $4.40 on offer looks great value.

SYDNEY SPECIALS

Race 1 No. 2 - ALEGRON

Race 2 No. 3 - DUCASSE