Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN, looks at every runner in Saturday’s Group 1 $1million William Reid Stakes with horse racing tips for the first four. Read on to see how he maps – he has included the potential for a damp track in his thoughts. Good luck!
The Valley R7 – $1million William Reid Stakes 1200m
1. MASKED CRUSADER (4) 79x63900x0
T; Team Hawkes / J: Jye McNeil (58.5kg)
Is unreliable but is also quite brilliant on his night. Can storm home and has some wonderful races under his belt. Is 2nd up here but tends to race well while fresh.
2. Paulele (14) x4411x46x7
T: John Leek / J: Craig Newitt (59kg)
SCRATCHED
3. KING OF SPARTA (12) 9x6146x114
T: Team Snowden / J: John Allen (58.5kg)
Awkward draw makes it tough for him to find a spot but if he does and gets cover he is a major threat. Is in form with wins at this level in two of past three starts. Respect.
4. A CASE OF YOU (10) x12130x00x
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent / J: Mark Zahra (58.5kg)
Gr 1 winner who comes from Ireland. Hasn’t won a race since March last year and not expected to trouble these.
5. IN THE CONGO (1) x329x6272x
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / J: Tim Clark (58.5kg)
An enigmatic sprinter with a great chance from this gate if he runs his best. And his trials of late have been very strong. Resumes here but has a great record while fresh. Watch market.
6. FRONT PAGE (8) 2x104x10x8
T: Geoff Duryea/ J: Pat Moloney (58.5kg)
Interesting galloper. Isn’t recognised as a Gr 1 horse but that run last start in the Newmarket behind In Secret when resuming was a great effort beaten just over 2 lengths. may run a place here.
7. JIGSAW (5) 11867×1111
T: Cindy Alderson /J:Daniel Moor (58.5kg)
Is very fast and strong, which is a combo that has yelped him win his four races on the bounce and has given him a shot at Gr 1 level. Which he will take advantage of. Is getting better and faster with racing and may just blow these away.
8. BELLA NIPOTINA (13) 55x1219x30
T: Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace /J: Ben Melham (56.5kg)
Won a Gr 1 sprint here last year in the mud and hasn’t really shown much in strhree starts since, latest when on pace and weakening to 12th in a fast run Newmarket. Does love this track though.
9. ROCH ‘N’ HORSE (9) 10x4221x00
T; Michael Moroney/ J: Ben Allen (56.5kg)
Very interesting because she is a multiple sprint Gr 1 winner but her two runs this time up have been woeful including a tiring 10th in the Newmarket last start. is fitter now but needs to lift.
10. SEPTEMBER RUN (6) 3135x84x40
T: Chris Waller / J: Nash Rawiller (56.5kg)
In and out mare who ran a cracker first up when 4th in Gr 1 Lightning after looking winner at the 200m then last start didn’t fire a shot at Flemington in the Newmarket. Does run well this track though.
T: Mark Walker / J: Opie Bosson (56.5kg)
Star multiple Gr 1 winner in New Zealand and was grabbed on the line last start in Gr 1 Canterbury Stakes by an astonishing finishing burst from Artorius. This is 100m shorter and she is fitter. Big chance.
12. CHAIN OF LIGHTNING (3) 111310×389
T: Peter Moody / J: Luke Nolen (56.5kg)
Good sprinting mare who wasn’t far away in the Gr 1 Newmarket won by In Secret last start. Drawn to get a lovely run and could knock these over.
13. BABYLON BERLIN (2) x09xL22221
T: Ben Foote / J: Blake Shinn (56.5kg)
Top class Kiwi mare who deserves a shot at this. Has super form around NZ’s best in Imperatric and Levante and from this alley rates very highly.
14. Benedetta (11) –
T: Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace / J: Harry Coffee (57kg)
