3 weeks out and I reckon we can narrow it down to 3 hopes. Despite Court Command trouncing them in an awesome display on Saturday I can’t see him winning the Straddy, however if you had him in your selections at 100-1 it would be outstanding. If he goes around this weekend he will give them something to chase! The winner will come from Danleigh, Ortensia or Duporth. The formlines through these horses are easily the best going around.
Duporth and Danleigh come through the Galaxy/All Aged formline which is the best sprinting formline available at the present time. Danleigh has his share of weight but is in sensational form and has won a g1 over the track and distance of the Straddy. Chris Waller went super close with Double Dare last year and will go close again this year. Watch for him late on Saturday and firm up for the big one.
Ortensia – what a win. Tania Rouse will be still applying Savlon to the severe case of wind burn that Ortensia gave Belong to Many on Saturday. 49.5kg, top jockey and very adaptable. Private Steer anyone? Duporth – somewhat enigmatic but with a kill in the BTC his form is very similar to Thorn Park’s. It could be argued that 1400 is his best distance but if I have a query it would be his ability to get the strong Straddy 1400.
I have Danleigh running for $800 through a double with Scenic Shot and will now look to cover the other two with some doubles. On another note, anyone see the run of Romany Star on the weekend?
Building nicely for the QLD Derby should be awake by then after the run that Glynn gave him on the weekend.
Very excited