Black bookers from Saturday’s Group 1 meeting at Randwick.
Black Booker #1 & #2
I think there’s two horses we can take out of the Australian Derby.
Montefilia (Race 7)
Firstly, the talented filly Montefilia who finished fourth in the race. She made up steady ground closer to the fence. The three that fought out the finish were much wider on the track and in the better ground. Assuming she has come through the run well she will back up in the Australian Oaks this week and looks the horse with the best set up going into that race (seven day back up and a 2400m run under her belt).
Khoekhoe (Race 7)
The second horse to follow out of the race is Khoekhoe. He did some good things last preparation. He beat Young Werther over 2000m at Flemington and was only narrowly defeated by Cherry Tortoni in the Moonee Valley Vase. Crucially, he now has three runs under his belt, including a 2400m run which is a great platform if they are to head to a race such as the South Australian Derby in a months time.
Black Booker #3
Masked Crusader (Race 8)
Masked Crusader proved his dominant win in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley was no fluke with another strong Group 1 performance on Saturday. He finished second behind Nature Strip in the T J Smith Stakes. Nature Strip was off and gone on the turn while he was back in the ruck looking for room. Once he got clear near the 200m he was able to make significant ground up along the inside. Suspect they now look to step to 1400m and tackle the All Aged Stakes in two weeks time. The Stradbroke Handicap in Queensland could also be on the cards.