Latest News

You have to wonder what level Getafix could reach after his sizzling come from behind win at Randwick on Saturday.

All the pre-race talk going into the TAB Handicap (1400m) was that the grey had to be ridden a certain way to unlock his turn of foot and it’s fair to say Jason Collett got it inch perfect as he launched from a seemingly tough spot early in the straight to collar Cool Jakey.

Punter’s Intelligence data showed Getafix ran a last 600m of 34.24 which was three lengths faster than the race’s next best and seven lengths faster than the runner-up which illustrates the ground he had to make up.

He was one of only two horses to break 12 seconds for the last 200m, running 11.56 which interestingly was the same time he ran from the 600m-400m. So he’s sustained a pretty long run.

Cool Jakey did put on a strong speed up front compared to the other 1400m races, about nine to ten lengths faster than the final event over the same trip and well clear of the two-year-old opener, so it’s no surprise something ran on eventually.

But that was two big wins in a row now for Getafix and he’s jumped quickly to Benchmark 88 level. While it’ll likely be heart in mouth stuff again he’s proven himself and wherever John O’Shea and Tom Charlton point him next he’ll be popular.

It’s worth noting the beaten favourite It’s A Knockout was the other horse to break 12 for the last 200m so while she didn’t sprint like first-up she’s kept finding the line.

Don’t be surprised if it’s another month or so before she races next and if she strikes a wetter track she’s even more effective.

There’s no shortage of notes to take out of the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1600m) and it’s safe to say it was the wrong day for Puntin to be slowly out.

He found himself at least a pair further back than ideal and some ducking and weaving was needed before he could set his sights on the leader and winner Oh Diamond Lil.

He’s run 35.47 for his last 600m which was just outside the race’s best, largely you’d say due to the traffic issues, and his last 200m of 12.23 was 0.02 behind the quickest.

That went to third placed Vega Magnifico (12.21) who ran the fastest last 600m as well in 35.42.

A couple of horses back in the field ran some nice sectionals and should be considered if they get the right set ups going forward and most notable is King Ratel. He’s run 35.44 for his last 600m and looked like he was only winding up.

It was his third run from a long break and so far has had a backmarker’s pattern but he’s working toward a peak run.

Travolta has earned a pass mark second-up off a win running 35.54 for his last 600m and finishing a couple of places ahead of King Ratel.

Things didn’t work out for Crossbow in the Schweppes Handicap (1400m) but sectionally he was the stand out from the race as he’s run 34.30 for his last 600m to just miss.

It was over a length faster than anything else and his last 200m of 11.43 was also the fastest by a similar margin. They did run some 12 lengths slower than Getafix later in the day but he's only had three starts and has a win in him shortly.

There’s an 1800m TAB Highway on Saturday week where you’d imagine both In Summer and Red Rags To Bulls will appear again and both were excellent from the back over the mile.

The winner Pensativa had all the favours in the run, right behind the speed, while In Summer had to drag back to last and be ridden for luck, she’s run 34.76 for the last 600m when claiming third and that time was matched by Red Rags To Bulls in fifth.

The latter had to go around the field so that adds merit to her run and she’s also run slightly faster for the last 200m in 11.87.

Arguably the hidden run off the meeting was by Rantan who ran seventh in the Petaluma Handicap (1100m) and despite all sorts of trouble getting a run, and having to go sideways quite a bit, she’s matched the race’s second fastest last 600m of 33.98 (0.04 outside the quickest).

She was on the fence and looking to take inside runs early in the straight and when it was clear she was about to run onto the weakening leader’s heels she had to stop and change course.

Her last 200m, once she was balanced up, was 11.70 which was 0.01 outside the race best recorded by runner-up Stardeel who was unimpeded and also matched her final 600m.

Fastest last 600m: Lulumon 33.04

Watch Punter’s Intelligence at 7pm on Tuesdays on Sky Thoroughbred Central.

Click here to download the free Punter's Intelligence app