A.R. Creswick Stakes – 2021

Track: Soft Weather: Fine

Fourteen three year-olds plus two emergencies have accepted for the feature on the Flemington card – the $140,000 A.R. Creswick Stakes.  Three of them met in the three year-old quality race won by Curran here a fortnight ago and four others ran in a benchmark 78 won by Award Winner at Caulfield three weeks ago.  Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes have multiple runners.  The early favourite in the betting is Curran who has finished in the top two in each of his last six starts.  He is up in weight here but if he can hold his form he looks to have a great chance again.  The second favourite is the Peter Moody trained Snickerdoodledandy.  She is a last start Flemington winner and a very promising filly who comes back in distance for this assignment.

Pioneer River was super here first up behind Curran – and it looks as though the gelding operation may have done the trick for him.  Award Winner was heavily backed at Caulfield last start and got home by the narrowest of margins.  Aidensfield has been placed twice at listed level and will appreciate getting back onto soft ground.  Sir Davy has won two of three this preparation and gets blinkers for the first time. Capriccio has run well at his two starts up the straight.  Maha is second up.  Stellar Pauline had her last start in Brisbane while Rights Of Man is suited stepping to 1200m second up.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Curran

Getting deep into his first preparation now but continues to race well.  He was heavily backed here last start and powered away from his rivals to win by 1.8 lengths.  Has more weight to carry this time but he is a deserved favourite on exposed form.

2. Free To Move

Appreciated dropping down in grade when second behind Fiery Red at Sandown last start.  Should be ready to peak third up.

3. Snickerdoodledandy

We made this filly a black booker after an excellent come from behind win here last start.  Was expecting to see her up in trip rather than back in trip?  She has a bit of class but not sure this is the ideal set up?

4. Pioneer River

Was gelded before the start of this prep.  He hit the line very solidly to finish second behind Curran first up.  Gets a 2kg weight swing here and with some fitness improvement may be able to turn the tables on Curran.

5. Grand Pope

Grand Pope has had a month between runs.  He comes back in trip here but is capable of a big finish on his day.  Consider for multiples.

6. Brenlyn’s Trooper

Trained by Sylvia Thompson at Wodonga.  He wasn’t disgraced behind Curran last start and will be better for having had a run against this class.  In the mix.

7. Sir Davy

Another of these back in trip.  I loved his win at Sandown and we have already seen Foxy Frida come out of that race and win.  Blinkers go on.  Winning chance!

8. The Cruiser

Backs up after finishing down the track at Mornington on Monday.  Needs to lift.

9. Stellar Pauline

Won a benchmark 78 at Gosford two starts ago before failing in this grade at Eagle Farm last time.  Back onto soft ground may help her.

10. Capriccio

Let down strongly to win here first up back in February and wasn’t far away again here last start against the older horses.  Harry Coffee is going really well at the moment.  Roughie with a chance!

11. Aidensfield

This filly showed plenty of promise as a two year old winning her first two starts.  She then ran second in the Jim Moloney and Atlantic Jewel as an early three year old before failing in the Thousand Guineas.  She has jumped out okay ahead of this but I’m not 100% sure where she is at.

12. Award Winner

Sat three wide and was far too good on the synthetic two back, then came to town and won again, all be it by a narrow margin.  She is flying but probably needs to improve again to feature here.

13. Maha

1.25 lengths off September Run here last prep reads well although she was just okay first up at Caulfield.  Blinkers go on for the first time – perhaps they will make the difference.

14. Sweet Zou

Hasn’t had the best of luck in recent times but happy to risk getting deep into her preparation and trying the straight for the first time.

15. Rights Of Man

This chestnut colt trained by Danny O’Brien has always shown plenty of ability.  He ran really well at Sandown off the short break and the horse that beat him has since bolted in, in Adelaide. He is much more suited here up in trip and has a chance.

16. No Quarantine

Jumped out well prior to an impressive win at Sale first up.  He did a good job to real in the leader who has since bolted in, in a Ballarat maiden.  Wouldn’t shock to see him run well.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Curran	4. Pioneer River
3. Snickerdoodledandy	1. Curran
4. Pioneer River	7. Sir Davy
7. Sir Davy	15. Rights Of Man