Races tailor-made for the favourites

Sat, September 03 2011

Faster Stronger looks set to kick off on the right note for favourite backers in the Sky Racing Handicap at Fannie Bay today.

Stephen Brown’s six-year-old Son of Stravinsky will have just four rivals in the 0-70 1600m, and judged on his last-start impressive win over 1300m on August 13, this contest looks tailor-made for him.

On that occasion, he bolted clear over the final stages to beat Aristocloche by an ever-widening three and three-quarter lengths. The extra 300m should be right up his alley and with Scott Hillebrand again in the saddle, he looks a good thing to make it two wins on end.

Tequila Midnight, a course and distance winner, should be hardest to beat, while Oigles looks the pick of Chris Pollard’s three runners in the event.

Brown looks to have good chances in the second and third on the card, with Albert Park Lake (Race 2) and Robson Street and Another Bay (Race 3) are sure to be hard to beat.

However, Fregosi, in his first run on the track last week, was an eye-catching second behind Timely Exit and can give Albert Park Lake plenty to think about in the Bridge Toyota Handicap (1300m).

Last-start winner The Sailor and Celestial Kingdom look the best of the rest.

Robson Street will be seeking a hat-trick of wins in the Trans Territory Foods Handicap (1100m) and with Alana Brown taking 3kg off his back, will take a power of beating.

He won twice during the Carnival and has been freshened since his last win on July 27. Seven Bridges and Zipit, from the in-form Gary Clarke stable, Robson Street’s stable mate Another Bay and The Bean Counter make most appeal of the remainder.

Smooth Coupez, who created a good impression when winning at her first start in the Top End, can repeat the dose in the last of the day, the Sportingbet Handicap (1200m).

Jami Huish’s five-year-old led throughout on August 13 and won in a canter for Jan Cameron.

She takes on the same grade (0-58) and over the same distance, and is sure to take some catching.

I See You Baby, Display and Bellbookandcandle should give Smooth Coupez most opposition.

The races kick off at 3:59pm.

Story courtesy of NT News, written by Andrew O'Toole