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D
espite having a limited number of starters but with his team headed by Amovatio, leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller could have a better result at Caulfield than at Rosehill.
Waller has swung Amovatio, also a Rosehill acceptor, south for the Sportingbet.com.au Handicap, the fourth at Caulfield. Amovatio, a winner of his past two Sydney starts, and stablemate Fulgur (Race 8, the Race-Tech Australia Handicap) will be out to emulate Dupe 'Em, a two-year-old Sandown winner on Wednesday for the trainer.
Dupe 'Em started at $13 and Waller was singing the praises of the Victorian system that enables youngsters to race without a barrier trial, but not because ability can be shrouded in privacy.
''It costs $250 to barrier trial in Sydney,'' he said on his home circuit video before noting jump-outs in Melbourne cost nothing.
Still, the potential of Amovatio is well exposed. At Caulfield he will meet up-and-comers such as the erratic Allez Eagle, assisted by winkers for the first time, and the lightly raced Yesterday's Songs. Fulgur, the early favourite, has it easier and is strongly fancied by Betfair's Daniel Bevan. ''He'll settle closer to the pace here and has a clear edge on form,'' Bevan said.
Last time out, on June 21, on a savagely biased front-runners' track, Fulgur was third to The Cleaner over 1600 metres after giving a long start.
Certainly the 2000m journey on Saturday will suit him but the rail is out 9m, posing the possibility that another negative pattern will evolve.
Verdict: Amovatio and Fulgur.
A taste of Wine
Delectation and Wine Tales in the Early Quaddie Handicap at Rosehill will be out to continue Waller's late-season surge with two-year-olds.
Both are last-start winners and take on talented opponents, albeit in a small field, in the first race. Delectation is the proven, if somewhat wayward, runner and Wine Tales is the likely improver. Wine Tales scored over the Warwick Farm 1100m on June 18, recording the fastest last 400m on the program after settling at the rear of the field. In a race with speed aplenty, Delectation should go forward from the six gate, and a swooper should be suited.
Verdict: Wine Tales.
Good sense
Waller usually monopolises Sydney staying races and, with Saghann in the Drummond Golf, the second event at Rosehill, he has a dour, fit type. Others to consider are Slivovitz and Sense Of Occasion, the latter trained by Wendy Walter. Sense Of Occasion has received mixed previews from the Racenet leading betting house experts, the majority making him the ''lay'' of the day.
''He rises in class and gets no weight relief," Sportsbet's Shaun Anderson said. ''This is not a recipe for success and the gelding is skinny odds to beat a tough field.''
However, Sense Of Occasion, a three-year-old with only six starts, is improving and looks better as his distances increase. Sense Of Occasion, a leader, could be tested by Tohunga, setting up the race for Slivovitz. The question of staying power will be put to the youngster.
Verdict: Sense Of Occasion.
Dare to Dream
With Black Jag and Rugged Cross in the Quaddie Handicap, the fifth race, Waller can benefit whatever the tempo. Still Black Jag will have to tolerate Keep Cool, which also goes forward, and this should suit Rugged Cross on his best game, which was not produced at Randwick last start.
Certainly there are other major contenders including Dream Folk, trained by Walter, and Sabor A Triunfo, from Chile. Michael Wood, of racinguide. com.au, is keen on Dream Folk. ''Loomed to win last start and it looked as though the strong north-westerly may have got the better of him late. He's a light and athletic galloper ready to win on the back-up.'' Dream Folk was beaten half a length by Done Nothing Wrong over Saturday's course and distance last weekend but wilted under 58kg and drops 4kg. Kathy O'Hara takes over from Blake Shinn; she has won on the gelding.
Verdict: Dream Folk.
Play the exotics:
Parlay (Rosehill):
Race 2 - (4) Sense Of Occasion,
Race 5 - (8) Dream Folk,
Race 6 - (5) Bennetta, Race 8 - (9) Imperil.
Quadrella (Rosehill):
Race 5 - (5) Black Jag, (6) Rugged Cross,
(8) Dream Folk
Race 6 - (4) The Peak, (5) Bennetta
Race 7 - (5) Cradle Me, (6) Party Dress,
(8) Casual Choice
Race 8 - (5) You'll Never, (9) Imperil,
(11) Ideal Position.
Best Box Trifecta (Caulfield):
Race 4 - (1) Amovatio, (4) Allez Eagle,
(13) Yesterday's Songs.
Best Quinella (Caulfield):
Race 6 - (1) Ready To Rip, (4) Le Bonsir