THE PETLEY REPORT: ALL EYES ON ZAAKI

By Jack Petley | Saturday, October 9, 2021

Another excellent payout is expected to jump into the bank account of Anabel Neassham's star Zaaki as he contests the Might and Power at Caulfield today with first stake a sizeable $600,000. He is at odds of around $1.25 and the only likely rival to test him at all is the Kiwi mare Probabeel. This I would say will be her final test before the Cox Plate. She may, I see, go to the Empire Rose instead.

Super fields at Caulfield and the race I'm looking forward to is the Toorak with those two rising NZ bred stars I'm Thunderstruck and Elephant, both by the Rich Hill Stud sire and former Cup winner Shocking. Both have looked ever so good coming through the grades, but they won't have it all their own way with Tofane, Sierra Sue and Dice Roll in fine form. Putting Elephant on top over I'm Thunderstruck, Tofane and Dice Roll.

Chris Waller has a strong hand in the Schillaci with September Run and Shaquero and I’m going for September Run ($3.30). The smallish field will suit her.

The clash between those two crackerjack colts Anamoe, $2.60, and Artorius, $3.60, will be interesting, but I’m giving the nod to the Godolphin colt. Looking at solid runs from Forgot You, a very promising Savabeel colt with the Busuttin-Young yard and looking to have a big future, and the Waller colt Giannis.

The Floating Artist is already high in the betting for the Cups and he sits at favourite for the Herbert Power and he is the one to beat at odds of around $2.80, but I do expect a big run from The Chosen One as he builds to the Cups for the Baker-Forsman yard. His two runs since being back in work have been solid and Murray Baker said earlier this week that the horse just keeps improving. But Floating Artist does look smart, and he goes into this with three wins on end. My tips Floating Artist, The Chosen One, Delphi.

Lombardo will take all sorts of beating in the Village Stakes and going I’m for Shihonka for the Bott-Waterhouse yard over Crystal Bound in the Thoroughbred Club Stakes. It will be a great day.

Now for Sydney! Not much in the betting between Head of State and the superbly bred Richard Litt colt Profondo with Profondo just favourite this morning at $3.40. Couple of interesting NZ breds looking to future racing, Bennaud from the in-form John O'Shea Randwick yard and Inverell, trained by Clayton Douglas for OTI, who purchased him out of NZ.

Benaud, by Reliable Man, made ground late for third in the Gloaming and from all reports from the stable he has thrived since then. Worth keeping an eye on for the future. Inverell is in Sydney to use this race as a guide before heading south again for the Victoria Derby. He is nicely bred by Shocking.

And that filly Never Been Kissed by Tivaci, looks ever so above average for the Bott-Waterhouse yard. She has won thee of her four runs and a big run here could have her heading south for the 1000 Guineas. My Tips … Head of State, Benaud, Profondo.

Jamie Richards has two top chances on the card, the colt Sword of State in the Roman Consul and Amarelinha in the Angst Stakes.

Paulele looks the one to beat in the Roman Consul, but I would say the Te Akau colt, who will eventually stand at stud at Cambridge Stud, would be improved a great deal by his debut run in Sydney.

Amarelinha is solid in the betting for the Angst at $4.90 and she will be tough to beat with James McDOnald, who has a super book of rides today. The draw may count against her and so I'm not tipping her on top, … my top three are: Mirra Vission, Amarelinha, Kiku.

Belluci Babe gets the nod from me for Bjorn Baker in the Nivision, over Minhaaj, for O'Shea and McDonald, and Rocha Clock while Marnix looks a good bet from the Godolphin yard in the last.

Coastwatch has been withdrawn from Melbourne for here and he runs in the Stan Fox for the Waller yard and is the one to beat, although I must say the NZ bred Cotehele looks above the ordinary with High Bowman to ride for John O'Shea. Again, there will be some super racing, but one thing must say I will be missing the footie!

Classique Legend, after that dashing trials win yesterday, is now named as a runner in the $15m Everest for his owner and slot holder Mr Boniface Ho and I see that it has been announced that Mr Ho will donate five per cent of any money won by the grey to the ATC Foundation. Last year he gave five per cent to the Foundation and that amounted to a cool $310,000.

Eduardo was also out at the trials. He won his heat ever so well and heads towards the Everest in super form after that win over Nature Strip in the Shorts.