2011 Lough Neath Stakes Preview & Tips

Lough Neath Stakes Preview & Tips

Doomben – Sat 24 December 2011

The major race in Australia on Christmas Eve is the Listed $200,000 Athol Mulley Memorial Lough Neath Stakes on an 8 race program at Doomben . The quality handicap over 1350 metres has attracted a field of 14 runners including 4 last start winners. The topweight is Zero Rock, the only mare in the field, who ran 3^rd in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap back in June. The mare is a last start winner and will carry 58kg. Seven runners have the limit weight of 53kg, including Sydney horse My Destiny who was first emergency in the Villiers Stakes last week and did not get a run. The track was rated as dead at acceptance time, and the rail will be out 2 metres.

Runners in the 2011 A. Mulley Memorial Lough Neath Stakes

My Destiny ($5) is a Con Karakatsanis-trained four-year-old that has won his last 3 races, all over 1300m at Randwick and Rosehill. He is the least experienced horse in the field as he has only had 9 race starts, but he has won 4 and been placed 3 times. He has drawn nicely in barrier 3 and will be ridden by Jay Ford who has ridden him at his last three starts/wins. Provided he has travelled well he is one of the main chances here.

Zero Rock ($6.50) is a six-year-old Danzero mare who has 11 wins and 8 placings from her 26 starts. Her best distance appears to be 1200m but from 4 starts at this track and distance combination she has 1 win and 2 seconds. She has had one run from a spell for a win in a 1200m Listed race at Eagle Farm on 3 December and has a good second-up record. Always a danger in this type of race despite the big weight.

Abedisi ($8.50) is a four-year-old Shovog gelding trained by Desleigh Forster at Eagle Farm. He has had 2 runs for 2 wins so far this campaign, resuming with a win over 1000m at Eagle Farm on 26 November then winning over 1200m at Doomben on 10 December.  He fought hard for both those wins and is shaping up as a good racehorse. Has yet to win over further than 1200m but will make his presence felt.

Excellantes ($9) is a Falvelon gelding from the Robert Heathcote stables with a career record of 5 wins and 7 placings from 14 starts. On 26 November he finished a nose 2^nd to Listen Son in a Listed race over 1200m at Eagle Farm, then ran 4^th in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes over 1200m at Doomben. Honest galloper who always goes well.

Listen Son ($10) is one of two runners trained by Tony Gollan at Toowoomba (the other is Spirit Of Boom).  The five-year-old has won 8 of his 30 starts over distances of 1200m to 1400m. He won his last start in the 1200m Listed Keith Noud quality at Eagle Farm on 26 November in a fighting finish from Excellantes and Essington.

Steel Zip ($10) has had 2 runs from a spell for 2^nd over 1000m at Eagle Farm on 26 November and 6^th over 1200m at Doomben on 10 December. He was running on well out wide at the end of that race and should go well over 1350m

Essington ($10) is a Redoubte’s Choice gelding who has 9 wins and 6 placings from 20 starts. Has had 2 runs back from a spell and should be ready to show improvement from his last start 11^th of 14 over 1200m at Doomben on 10 Decemebr.

Ready To Rip ($10) has been working home well at the end of his last couple of races, which have been over 1200m. Should go well over the 1350m.

Jo’s Tips – Lough Neath Stakes

- Top Tip: (14.) My Destiny
- Danger: (6.) Abedisi
- Trifecta: (1.) Zero Rock