Black bookers from Saturday’s All-Star Mile meeting at Moonee Valley.
Black Booker #1
Riddle Me That (Race 4)
Matt Laurie’s Riddle Me That has returned in excellent order. He faced a strong field of listed sprinters in race four on the card and was able to work home against the pattern of the day into second place. He has a strong 1400m record and he will be hard to beat stepping up to that distance next start.
Black Booker #2
Cherry Tortoni (Race 5)
On face value, the odds on favourite in the Alister Clarke Stakes – Cherry Tortoni – was disappointing but I’m inclined to be forgiving of him. Billy Egan was forced to snag back to last to avoid being stuck three wide with out cover. He attempted to make the big wide sweeping run which didn’t appear to be the right play on the day and while he tracked into the race well the wheels began to spin shortly after. He heads to Sydney now to run in the Tulloch Stakes over 2000m, with a strong SP profile and I think he can bounce back.
Black Booker #3
Russian Camelot (Race 8)
There was plenty of money around to say Russian Camelot was ready to run a huge race first up in the All Star Mile and that is exactly what he did. The Danny O’Brien trained entire settled well back on the fence and was able to truck through the field nicely courtesy of some Damian Oliver brilliance. Mugatoo out slogged him late in the wet conditions but they have put a big space back to third and that horse had a fitness edge on him. Russian Camelot now heads to Sydney and if he can find a track with some cut out will be mighty hard to beat at his next start.