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By Ray Hickson

An in depth look at the chances of every runner in the Group 1 $2 million Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

1. Attica (Joe Pride): Appears an exciting miler/middle distance horse in the making. Appreciated a solid tempo when coming from the back and rounding up nine rivals to win the Dulcify over the mile. Since that win he’s looked good trialling over 1200m. The challenge for him is that a wide barrier over 2000m at Randwick is a lot trickier to negotiate than the very fair mile start. Plus the rail is out a bit too. That said he has shown a bit of versatility so it wouldn’t surprise if they try their luck out of the gates. With even luck he should have a major say in the finish.

Shangri La Boy (Pic: Bradley Photos).

2. Shangri La Boy (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): He’s been dynamic in his two wins where he’s found the front and been able to control before putting gaps in the chasers. You’d imagine he’ll be trying something similar from that inside barrier. He’ll definitely have the option to take it up and when you hand Nash Rawiller control of a race it’s always dangerous. There’s every indication 2000m will be no problem for the half-brother to Storm Boy and if that’s the case he’ll be hard to run down.

3. San Giovanni (Michael Freedman): He didn’t give up the ghost chasing Shangri La Boy in the Gloaming and battled on pretty well to hold third. That backed up his handy effort against older horses the start before. On face value you’d say something has to go very right for him to turn the tables on last time but what he will do is enjoy a nice run in transit and get every chance to perform to his best. So a place is possible.

4. Officiate (Chris Waller): Brings different form into the race and it’s a bit hard to judge whether it’s inferior or not. He does have form around The Pearls, who was runner-up in the Gloaming, before he scrambled in as favourite to win a Canterbury maiden then had his chance when placed in the Super Impose at Flemington. Drawn to get every chance and is another who could place.

5. Master Of The Air (Chris Waller): Earned some market respect going into the Gloaming with successive provincial wins but it’s safe to say he didn’t quite measure up. Travelled pretty well in midfield with some cover, pulled out to make his run at the right time and pretty much held his ground to the line beaten just under four lengths. Trickier job from the wider gate this time and it’s hard to make a case.

6. Federalist (Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes): Superbly bred colt, out of Arcadia Queen, who has done plenty of promising so far in his career but is still to be placed in five starts. Worked home well, though the winner went straight past him, in the Dulcify into fourth place. He was stretching out well late at the end of the mile so at 2000m we’ll get to see what he’s made of. Draws wide so that doesn’t help his cause. That said, if he runs out the trip as he appears he can pose a threat.

7. Champagne Hero (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Sent out favourite in the Gloaming and wasn’t able to take up a forward spot from the inside barrier. Settled midfield and basically stayed there for the whole race. With the wider gate you’d think he’ll push to get across and probably take up the running. Given the starting price last start compared to now he’s entitled to another chance with the likelihood of a positive ride.

8. Tambeloa (Kristen Buchanan): Showed some promise as a middle distance type when winning at Warwick Farm over a mile back in July. In his two runs this spring he’s been fair, running on from the back without threatening a whole lot. Barrier didn’t help his cause in the Gloaming so he’ll have a better chance to get into the race up to the 2000m now. Suggest others have stronger form but this is his best opportunity to have some impact.

9. Southern Prince (Annabel & Rob Archibald): Brings two confidence boosting Kembla Grange wins into a Group 1 contest and you’re taking a leap of faith that he can make the leap. Easily accounted for four rivals at the mile second-up, out of a Zabeel mare so the extra distance shouldn’t be a problem to him and he’s drawn okay. If he is a true middle distance/staying type he could finish top half but that’s the gamble.

10. Crusader Voyage (Chris Waller): Maiden taking this race on with blinkers for the first time. He hasn’t done a whole lot wrong in his five starts aside from going under, albeit narrowly, over the mile at Warwick Farm earlier in the month as a $1.50 favourite. Nicely drawn but it’s a big ask to break through against some these considering he’s had his chance of late in easier races.

11. Within The Law (Bjorn Baker): On the back up after taking on the King Charles III at weight-for-age last week where she didn’t disgrace herself. Game chasing home Apocalyptic in the Flight before that. She’s a real iron horse and it doesn’t appear 2000m will hold any fears for her. The problem is she can’t seem to draw a barrier. She’s copped the outside at the tricky starting point and can only be ridden negatively you’d say. We know she can finish her races off so wouldn’t put it past her to swoop down the outside late.

Within The Law (Pic: Bradley Photos).

12. Queen Of Clubs (Gary Portelli): She’s looked like 2000m would be right up her alley all spring and you have to be forgiving of her run in the Flight where cardiac arrhythmia reared its head and she didn’t finish off. Warmed up nicely late in the Tea Rose before that. From a middle gate she won’t need to go right back you’d imagine, they normally bounce back quickly from the CA incidences and she has to be kept among the chances.

13. The Pearls (Chris Waller): Made the leap from a Hawkesbury maiden win to be best of the chasers in the Gloaming as a $61 chance. It’s on her to repeat that performance and lift off it with the inclusion of some stronger form lines but she has gate one so looks to get a soft passage and holding on for a placing doesn’t seem out of the question.

14. Sheeza Diva (Mitchell & Desiree Kearney): Was one of the outsiders in the Gloaming but she arguably put in one of the runs of the race to storm home from near the back into fourth placing as a $91 chance. Not sure what to do with that as a reference for this race. She should handle the 2000m and whether that run is an outlier or a sign she’s hitting her straps up in distance remains to be seen.

15E. Pinot Nero (John Ramsey): The distance won’t be any problem for him given he was a close third over 2200m against older horses at Dubbo last start. This is a massive class rise though as all his eight starts have been in country grade and he’s won just one of them. If he does gain a start expect he’ll be long odds.

SPEED MAP: The most likely scenario is Champagne Hero putting the foot down to get across from near the outside. That could open an option for Attica to follow over if that occurs. If it doesn’t Attica probably goes back. Shangri La Boy punches up and he could lead if the stablemate doesn’t. The Pearls and Officiate have inside gates and can race handy to the speed as should San Giovanni. Within The Law almost certainly goes back from the outside barrier.

SELECTIONS:
1 ATTICA
11 Within The Law
2 Shangri La Boy
12 Queen Of Clubs

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Randwick