Gold Circle Pty (Ltd)

Today's Racing :

Stars aligned for Galileo’s Galaxy

David Thiselton
There are two Listed features at Clairwood on Saturday and whilst the first, a Conditions event, provides a possible banker the second is a handicap and it could be wise to go wider. The likely favourite for the Darley Arabian over 1 900m will be the Charles Laird-trained Galileo’s Galaxy. Laird said last week that if he had the choice he would have rather had this horse in the July than Flying Tristram. Galileo’s Galaxy finished second to subsequent July third-placed Orbison in the Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1 800m at this course in his previous start. He beat the likes of Pocket Power and July winner, Bold Silvano. He did set the pace and it was a slow run race, so he might have been flattered but he is a consistent sort who has never been worse than third including two runner-up positions in Grade 1s. At first glance the Dennis Drier-trained Star Empire looks a big danger as he is a lightly raced improving sort who romped home by over five lengths when first stepped up to this sort of trip last time. However, he recently met Galileo’s Galaxy over 1 600m and lost to him by 2,5 lengths despite being on 2,5kg better terms than he faces him here.
One point in is favour is that he was widely drawn in that race, but on the other hand Galileo’s Galaxy did need that run. The Craig Eudey-trained Tamarillo won well in a handicap here over 1 600m last time and is probably better suited to this trip. He beat National Play last time by 4,75 lengths and faces him on 4,5 kg worse terms so there shouldn’t be much in it. National Play has a nice draw of two compared to Tamarillo’s draw of five.
Mike de Kock and Anthony Delpech are coming off their July high and team up here with Top Mark, who still has improvement in him as he was green and raced wide when winning his maiden over 1 600m last time. Galanthus is very talented but has been off form, although the Zackey yard often start shining at this time in Durban. The selection is Galileo’s Galaxy from Star Empire, Tamarillo, National Play and Top Mark. In the Listed Umgeni Handicap over 1 000m, the Drier-trained Clearly Silver wears blinkers for the first time. He is a classy sprinting type with plenty of early pace and is well drawn towards the outside as far as current trends go. Gaultier finished runner up to J J The Jet Plane over 1 200m here last time. He beat Clearly Silver by 3,75 lengths there and is only 2,5kg worse off so should beat him again. However, he might not have as much early pace as the latter and has also had the odd below par run this Champions Season. Noble Heir, the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint winner, is back to her favourite trip, but was beaten by Cruso here recently over course and distance and is now 2kg worse off too. However, she does have a much better draw than Cruso who is drawn one. Gaultier also lost to Cruso in that race and is worse off but he had no luck that time and that run is best ignored.
August Rush was very promising as a juvenile and appears to have bounced back since being gelded. He has a fair draw and early pace. Blue Voyager has turned his form around since being equipped with blinkers and won easily over course and distance last time. He does now have an eight-point raise to contend with but is well drawn again. Jinzo is an honest sort, who defied the handicapper a couple of times last season. He is both course and distance suited and well drawn. Oriental Spirit won from start to finish over 1 000m last time.
He is not the soundest and received a four-point raise, but can’t be discounted, despite a difficult draw. Cool Spender also has a difficult draw but this is probably his favourite distance. He will have to defy a five-point raise for his last win and has something to do to reverse form with Blue Voyager too. Bush Pirate finished a fine third in the Mercury Sprint. He’s probably best suited to 1 200m though and has a tough draw. Jet Command is classy and looks a promising sprinter in the making. He returns from a break though and has a tough draw. The selection is Clearly Silver to beat home Gaultier with Nÿ¿OL Heir, August Rush and Blue Voyager next best.

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