OAKS DAY with Chris Scholtz

 ZARDOZI 1; Aethelflaed 2; Basilinna 3; Harlow Mist 4; Amazonian Lass 5

 (2) ZARDOZI: Became a popular pick for the Oaks when she sprinted hard from midfield to easily win the Edward Manifold over 1600m at this course then went a month before topping off her prep with a driving second to just miss by a nose in last Saturday’s Wakeful Stakes over 2000m when she just failed to run down Amazonian Lass. History tells you it’s the best form.

 (8) AETHELFLAED: A real staying type with plenty of strength and looks to be coming to her peaks at the right time. Came off a strong provincial win over 2000m at Kembla Grange to finish fourth in the Wakeful when she gave away too much start and put in her best work over the last 100m. Doesn’t have the turn of foot of Zardozi but sure to be one of the strongest at the finish.

 (7) BASILINNA: Another expected to be strong over the distance. Improved off her Edward Manifold eighth to finish third in the Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield where she looked every bit a filly needing the Oaks trip.

(5) HARLOW MIST: Held her ground for a game third in the Wakeful last Saturday. Stable is very good with their staying fillies with an excellent record in this classic.

(3) AMAZONIAN LASS: Rolled along on pace and stole a winning break before lasting by a nose from Zardozi in the Wakeful. Very fit and expect same tactics.

(1) TROPICAL SQUALL: Strong Sydney form included her front running win in the G1 Flight Stakes over 1600m at Randwick. Carried 59kg when she led but was run down in the Ethereal over 2000m at Caulfield. Back to level weights here but happy to risk her over this distance.

Best Bets

RACE 2: (5) CITY OF LIGHTS

RACE 5: (2) CANNONBALL

For Value

RACE 3: (7) KETTLE HILL

RACE 6: (17) VON HAUKE

RACE 9: (12) GLENTANEOUS

Selections

RACE 1: (8) HARPALEE; (1) Hayasugi; (3) Arabian Summer; (7) Eneeza

RACE 2: (5) CITY OF LIGHTS; (1) Starianne; (12) Tacumwah; (2) Fearless Writer

RACE 3: (7) KETTLE HILL; (10) Tommy; (4) Foujita San; (3) Hennessy Lad

RACE 4: (6) CLIMBING STAR; (2) Foxy Frida; (3) Chandon Burj; (7) Our Empress Zoe

RACE 5: (2) CANNONBALL; (1) Spacewalk; (3) Athelric; (6) Generation

RACE 6: (17) VON HAUKE; (2) Euphoric; (8) Poison Chalice; (12) Lady Jones

RACE 7: (4) MUMBAI MUSE; (9) Cigar Flick; (3) Saltaire; (16) Heart Of Glass

RACE 8: (2) ZARDOZI; (8) Aethelflaed; (7) Basalinna; (5) Harlow Mist

RACE 9: (12) GLENTANEOUS; (4) Gregolimo; (8) Holymanz; (11) Reset The Jazz

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – November 9-11

FLEMINGTON THURSDAY: Cannonball (R5)

HAWKESBURY THURSDAY: Magnatear (R1); Just Easy (R4)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Kin (R9)

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Miss Hellfire (R3); Sumo Star (R5); Scampi (R7)

WYONG SATURDAY: Tigon Princess; Satin And Silk; Magnatear; Just Easy

GOULBURN SATURDAY: Northumbria

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Hard To Say; Quick Tempo; The Hawkesbury; Intervarsity; Way To The Stars; I’mintowin; Sharkim; Watch My Girl; Storm The Ramparts; Trapeze Pleasure; World Alliance; Chrysaor; Mumbai Muse; Yankee One; Estephania; Gai’s Artist; Kazou; Shangri La Express; Influential; Up To Mischief; Dream Hour; Luton Hoo; I Am Me; Just In Time; Need Some Luck 

TRIAL POINTERS

ROSEHILL October 27: A classy 1030m heat was won in fine style by CANNONBALL, not surprisingly in easily the fastest time of the five heats over the distance (61.99). He was never off the bit to lead from the jump and was too sharp over the distance, running out a strong two lengths winner.

WARWICK FARM October 23: NORTHUMBRIA had his second trial for his new trainer Richard Litt since leaving the Godolphin yard and he looks ready to perform well fresh after a strong win in the fastest of the three heats over 809m (47.63; 33.42); Travelled easily in second place and was only asked to extend from the 100m, easily picking up the leader with authority. SUMO STAR posted an Impressive win in the fastest of four heats over 812m (47.39; 33.04), settling off the pace while travelling easily three and four wide before surging past the leaders with strong work over the last 200m. Looks capable of rising through the classes.

RANDWICK October 20: A nice effort from MISS HELLFIRE taking the eye with her closing second in the fastest heat over 1045m won by subsequent winner I’mintowin.

HAWKESBURY October 16: International sprinter CANNONBALL, back from his visit to the UK, was best of the open heat winners, showing his class to easily put away his rivals with a sharp win in the fastest trial over 800m (46.96; 32.34).

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – November 9-11

HAWKESBURY THURSDAY: Amarantz (R5)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Schwarz (R3); Thalassophile (R5); In Secret (R6); West Wind Blows (R8); Mister Yu Shu (R9)

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Call Di (R6); Russian Conquest (R6/R9); Democracy Manifest (R8); Fawkner Park (R8)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Sabalenka (R7)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: I’ve Bean Tryin’; Storm The Ramparts; Without A Fight; Stroke Of Luck; Crackerjack Prince; Pesto; Sharp Shock; Attrition; Territory Express; Magic Time; Queen Of Dragons; Foujita San; Airman; Vienna Princess; First Immortal; Espiona; Archo Nacho; Satness; Wolfy; Unspoken; Recommendation; Snapback; Devoted

BLACKBOOKERS – Selected November 4/7

(Follow for next 3 starts)

CROSSHAVEN; FOXY CLEOPATRA; HEMAN; LEANDRA; MUNHAMEK; MY BELLA MAE; SHOCK EM OVA; WAR GEM