 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 Railway Stakes Day (S2) (Brett Davis)
S2-1 Karaka Millions 2yo
LA DORADA shall be much improved for her first up second place behind TOO SWEET in the G2 at Ellerslie and is drawn ideally in barrier 5. Her natural speed should allow her to position up as the potential leader along the rail whilst the alternative speed crosses over from wider out. It’s then anticipated she’ll end up chasing the tail of TOO SWEET all the way to the post but I fancy she can improve enough to this time run her down.
TOO SWEET has drawn extremely wide out in gate fifteen but it may end up being a good place to be. Young horses are prone to shifting about noticeably upon release so it’s better to be in clear air early with guaranteed space. Her win in the G2 over 1,200m was a faultless performance on the eye and if she further improves on that it’ll take a massive effort to run her down.
TO BRAVERY BORN is a good looking son of SNITZEL and remains undefeated after two comprehensive victories. It’ll be a different scenario for him today with a full sized field to compete against but he’s definitely got the swagger and engine to be right in the finish. The key to his success is staying in contact and out of traffic congestion through the all import first half, and that job is in the capable hands of Blake Shinn.
TORETTO has more race experience than many of his opponents which may end up being extremely beneficial at the end. That being said, he made a mistake out the gates in his last start, the 1,200m G2 race, and unfortunately gave away to bigger start. If he can atone for that error by jumping well, and position up handy in the run, then I wouldn’t be underestimating his winning potential and prospects.
SIERRA LEONE has had her three race starts well spaced leading in to this high class event and is certainly worthy of considering now she rises in trip. Her recent third placing behind REMALA over the 1,100m at Ellerslie was an honest effort after being help up for a portion of ground in the straight. She’ll need to settle closer if she’s to trouble the high speed leaders but she’s very strong at the end when it counts.
SELECTIONS: 10. LA DORADA, 9. TOO SWEET, 3. TO BRAVERY BORN, 2. TORETTO & 12. SIERRA LEONE
1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-1: Multiple – 10. LA DORADA & 9. TOO SWEET
S2-2: Multiple – 11. PROSEGUR & 6. BOURBON PROOF
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S2-1: Multiple – 10. LA DORADA, 9. TOO SWEET & 3. TO BRAVERY BORN
S2-2: Multiple – 11. PROSEGUR, 6. BOURBON PROOF & 3. TUXEDO
S2-3: Multiple – 3. CROCETTI, 12. ALABAMA LASS & 1. WAITAK
S2-2 Karaka Millions 3yo
PROSEGUR has endured a strong preparation leading into this open 3yo contest and the booking of Craig Williams certainly catches the eye. With a hearty closing second place in the G3 followed by a tough on speed performance in the G2 Eight Carat Classic, she’s now ready to win a black type race. She’s yet to confirm she’ll appreciate firmness in the track but I’m give her the chance to prove that she can.
BOURBON PROOF notched up his maiden victory with an all the way win last start which followed two excellent minor placings in good quality events. He’s another highly progressive individual by American sire JUSTIFY who appears to have plenty of rating points in hand. With a familiar jockey aboard in Michael McNab it’s difficult to envisage a finish without him involved, although he’ll probably be ridden with more initial patience this time around.
TUXEDO has only been defeated once from his three career starts and it came after a touch of keenness last start. He won the G3 Wellington Stakes prior when ridden cold and it was a far more professional looking performance. He’s got plenty still to give and learn, and the low draw should enable him to find cover in the run, so he’s therefore graded a dangerous unit to be taking on.
YALDI won the G2 Auckland Guineas over 1,400m last December on protest after being held up at a vital point in the stretch. He followed up with another courageous effort when finishing third at his following outing over the 1500m. There are no concerns regarding track conditions and he’ll be one of only a couple racing up on speed, but the query appears to be running out a strong mile.
DEALT WITH won a maiden at Te Aroha on debut and a 3yo 1,400m race on a good ground two weeks later to remain unbeaten. The test however really comes today for this smart looking son of ACE HIGH as he rises in class and distance to 1600m. The issues with the mile appears achievable, however, the class factor remains up for debate, but in all likelihood he’s going to get all favours in the run.
SELECTIONS: 11. PROSEGUR, 6. BOURBON PROOF, 3. TUXEDO, 1. YALDI & 4. DEALT WITH
2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-2: Multiple – 11. PROSEGUR & 6. BOURBON PROOF
S2-3: Multiple – 3. CROCETTI & 12. ALABAMA LASS
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S2-2:
Banker – 11. PROSEGUR
Selections – 6. BOURBON PROOF, 3. TUXEDO, 1. YALDI & 4. DEALT WITH
S2-3:
Banker – 3. CROCETTI
Selections – 12. ALABAMA LASS, 1. WAITAK, 9. BABYLON BERLIN & 5. SACRED SATONO
S2-3 Railway Stakes
CROCETTI hasn’t quite found the top of his game following a three-month break but he wasn’t far off it recently in the G3 Concorde Stakes. With fitness now peaking, and a liking for this course and trip, he all of a sudden comes right back into winning calculations after drawing the coveted inside gate. With an economical run in transit therefore anticipated we should see him launching back to somewhere near his very best.
ALABAMA LASS is right amongst the top echelon of 3YO fillies going around this season which was confirmed by her runner up finish in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas last November. She’s been freshened for her return to racing over the 1,200m and arrives exceptionally well placed at the weights. Whether she’s at the top of her game for this opening effort remains to be seen, but she’s potentially as good as they come so whatever defeats her should win.
WAITAK has drawn wide and can often be slow to exit the barrier stalls so he’s therefore a risky customer. However, on his day he’s capable of dishing up a fast finishing storm which is precisely what he delivered when winning this G1 event last year. He’ll adore the strong tempo that’s expected, and didn’t handle the cut in the tack last start, so if he steps cleanly he can be a genuine threat.
BABYLON BERLIN has been a high quality performer for many seasons and won the G3 Concorde Stakes recently with an all the way front running display. She’s been chasing G1 success for quite sometime now and has been a runner up on three separate occasions in the past. She can handle all types of ground but is best when it’s good to firm, which is precisely the case for her today.
SACRED SATONO is also still to win at the highest level but he’s in excellent form after a super run in the G1 Telegraph Stakes at Trentham last start. No one would deny him G1 glory, but he’ll have to do it the hard way following the awkward looking barrier he’s received. However, there’s a chance he finds a midfield position with cover throughout which could enable him to work into the race at the right time.
SELECTIONS: 3. CROCETTI, 12. ALABAMA LASS, 1. WAITAK, 9. BABYLON BERLIN & 5. SACRED SATONO
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