 Expert - Brett Davis | |
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| Brett Davis was introduced to Australian Racing by his father back in the early 1980’s when his family became involved in formulating “Thoroughbred Racing Syndications”. Brett worked from 1995 as a Professional Form Analysts and Race Broadcaster with an array of companies throughout most parts of the Australia Racing industry. He currently resides in Adelaide, his hometown in Australia, where he is Chief Thoroughbred Race Caller and Form Analyst for Tabcorp / SkyChannel / RadioTAB. Brett Davis also spent 2 years with the Singapore Turf Club and 13 Racing Seasons with the Hong Kong Jockey Club between 2006 to 2019 as a leading Form Analyst / Race Caller and was the HKJC Chief Race Caller from 2014, calling the last 5 Hong Kong International (Turf World Championships) race meetings and over 50 G1 races. Brett has immense passion for Australian Racing both personally and professionally. With his diverse knowledge and long standing industry relations he’s a valuable asset to racing and it’s enthusiasts. | |
Expert Column for Stradbroke Handicap (S1-1) and HKJC World Pool Q22 (S1-2) (Brett Davis)
S1-1 Stradbroke Handicap
STEFI MAGNETICA is one of the up-and-coming talents amongst the big field and under handicap conditions the 3YO filly is very well placed. Her fifth placing in the G1 Doomben 10,000 over 1,200m was the perfect stepping stone to the G3 Fred Best Classic over 1,400m, where she got home hard via the inferior parts of the track. With a wide barrier to leave from jockey Zac Lloyd, son of former Hong Kong based jockey Jeff Lloyd shall need his share of luck, but he won’t be on his own during this classic and challenging race.
BELLA NIPOTINA lines up for her 51st career start in the days feature event and she couldn’t have arrived in better form. It’ll be her 22nd G1 attempt as she eye’s off win 2, to go with 7 places, and you’d be brave to suggest she won’t be somewhere thereabouts.
She’s been up for a long time and covered plenty of miles but at the same time handled every challenge in her stride. The race history and outside barrier do however point in the direction of an uphill battle for her to win, but she’s never raced better and has the established class.
SEMANA could easily be overlooked in this wide open contest but rest assured she is worthy of respect. Her racing is at its best when her events are widely spaced which is precisely how champion trainer Ciaron Maher has her prepared. She’ll settle back, so the draw isn’t as ugly as it seems, and she can then enjoy her own space in the stretch to fully let down. Her recent performance in the G1 Queen of the Turf Stakes is one of the high regard and her record at this distance is elite.
BENEDETTA broke through for her maiden G1 victory recently in The Goodwood over 1,200m at set weights in South Australia. That victory has further enhanced her credentials as a top line galloper and she shouldn’t be doing any extra work after drawing favourably in gate 6. It’s her first trip to Brisbane and first attempt at 1,400m but she’ll be handled by Daniel Stackhouse, who’s won aboard her well. The weight shouldn’t be an issue, she’s trialled nicely at Doomben leading in and the track conditions seem perfect.
MAGIC TIME is a potential star on the rise that’s already accumulated a pair of G1 wins and she’s only raced twelve times. She was freshened following her win in the G1 All Aged Stakes on a heavy track at Randwick which possibly saw her underdone in the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup. Her overall record tells us she’s at her best when chasing a high speed over 1,400m, which is exactly what she’ll receive today. She is known for her occasional moments of inconsistency, as many mares are, but if she’s in the right mode she can win.
SELECTIONS: 17. STEFI MAGNETICA, 1. BELLA NIPOTINA, 14. SEMANA, 4. BENEDETTA & 2. MAGIC TIME
DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 17. STEFI MAGNETICA & 1. BELLA NIPOTINA
S1-2: Multiple – 15. FAWKNER PARK & 6. ADELAIDE RIVER
S1-2 HKJC World Pool Q22
FAWKNER PARK originates from Ireland where he won a 2,100m race at Dundalk on the synthetic track by 6.5 lengths. He arrived in Australia in early 2023 and went on to win his next four starts. He’s since continued to raise the bar by winning two Listed races before a career best effort in the G1 Doomben Cup. He’s peaking at the right time and the rise to 2,200m is ideally suits his long ranging action and fast closing speed. He should be in the finish.
ADELAIDE RIVER is to be ridden by James McDonald who would’ve had numerous runners to choose from in this race. The former Aidan O’Brien trained has only raced in Australia once, since arriving G1 placed from up north, and unfortunately suffered a heart irregularity in the G3 Lord Mayors Cup. He’s since been cleared to continue with his first Australian campaign and by all reports is ready to quickly atone. The 2023 G1 Irish Derby runner-up has exceptional staying abilities and must be given the benefit of doubt.
KOVALICA hasn’t been able to win since his dominant thrashing of the opposition in the 2023 G1 Queensland Derby. However, he continues to compete regularly at an extremely high level and is often caught up finding bother or covering extra ground in the run. What’s on his side today is a return to Eagle Farm, a course in which he’s never been beaten, along with the booking of Australia’s most winningest jockey this season in James Orman.
BOIS D'ARGENT is a former French galloper trained by Annabel Neasham who lead throughout to score narrowly in the recent G1 Doomben Cup. That event was 2,000m, so a longer journey could easily bring him undone but he’s currently racing as good as he goes. With a low draw to assist, he should burrow through from the start and definitely contest , if not find the outright lead heading into the back. With Blake Shinn thereafter dictating from behind the wheel he runs a big race.
CONVERGE is a dual G1 winning son of FRANKEL that is closing in quickly on another career win. He chased home hard in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup which happened to be his second run back from a spell and best galloping performance in quite a while. The distance is somewhat of a query but he adores the Eagle Farm track, so I wouldn’t be underestimating his presence.
SELECTIONS: 15. FAWKNER PARK, 6. ADELAIDE RIVER, 5. KOVALICA, 4. BOIS D’ARGENT & 16. CONVERGE
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