HDF McNeil Stakes – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A field of 16 three year olds are set to line up for the running of this years McNeil Stakes.  This looks to be a cracking addition.  This years Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa has opened favourite.  Four other horses have come up single figures in the early betting.  Our Playboy who was ultra impressive first up in the Vain Stakes, Ranting who was good behind Our Playboy and then resumers Immortal Love and Flying Award.

Next in the betting are Crosshaven and National Choice who are also resuming.  Hard Landing resumed with a win at Moonee Valley and Khoekhoe is yet another fresh runner in this race.  All other runners are greater than $20-1 but the chances certainly do not end there!

1. Tagaloa

Last years Blue Diamond winner resumes with the blinkers on.  He did it easily in a recent jump out and has drawn well in 8.  Just the one placing from his two first up attempts so that has to be a little concern.  One of the main chances.

2. Hard Landing

Did it the hard way sitting outside the lead on a hot tempo first up.  However I have big questions on the strength of that race.

3. Our Playboy

Our Playboy was ultra impressive winning first up.  He sat 3 wide and powered away from his rivals in the straight.  He just keeps getting better with racing and has gone from a Terang maiden win to a Group 3 winner within 3 starts.  I suspect there is plenty more improvement left in him. Barrier 15 is not ideal.

4. Extra Time

Extra Time was well supported in the Group 3 Spring Stakes first up in Adelaide.  But sat outside the lead and was well beaten there.  Hard to know what to make of him in this.

5. Larimer Street

His run was okay first up behind Our Playboy.  Winkers go on but all things being equal it would be hard to see him turning the tables on that horse.

6. Rathlin

Beat home Tagaloa in the group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude but was subsequently well beaten in the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper.  Stable is flying but prefer to see him first up.

7. Flying Award

There is plenty to like about this 3 year old colt.  However I doubt he will be fully wound up with the Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby to come.  Look for him finding the line late.

8. Khoekhoe

He showed plenty of talent in his first preparation. A huge winner from back and wide at his only go at this track.  Don’t rule him out.

9. Crosshaven

This horse is 2 from 2 and resumes here off a solid Flemington jump out.  Yet to be tested at this level but it would not surprise to see him measure up.

10. Immortal Love

Like Crosshaven, he is 2 wins from 2 starts.  He looks a really promising type and will go forward which we know is normally advantageous at Caulfield.  He has jumped out well in readiness for this.

11. Ranting

Ranting returned well running second to Our Playboy in the Vain Stakes.  I question whether he is good enough to be a serious winning chance here but has to be factored in for multiples.

12. Albarado

He ran on Thursday at Mornington so will be scratched.

13. The Last Charge

Was down to run last week at Moonee Valley in a much easier race.  Couldn’t recommend him off what he has done to this point.

14. National Choice

Another talented 3 year old from the Price and Kent barn.  He won well at Geelong on debut before starting favourite in town where he got too far back.  A nice horse in the making.

15. Branders Rule

Still in his first preparation.  Trainer Peter Moodie thought enough of him to step up to a group 3 last start off the back of a Wodonga maiden win.  He was very nice through the line there and has a fitness edge on some key rivals.  Knock out.

16. Loca

1 from 1 but that was in a maiden race on the synthetic at Ballarat.  This is surely too hard.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Tagaloa	3. Our Playboy
10.  Immortal Love	8. Khoekhoe
3. Our Playboy	10.  Immortal Love
7 Flying Award	1. Tagaloa

Group 1 Memsie Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 3 The Heath 1100 2020 (Caulfield 1100m)

Group 3 W W Cockram Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1200m)

Listed Heatherlie Handicap 2020 (Caulfield 1700m)

Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap 2020 (Rosehill 1400m)

Group 3 Premier’s Cup 2020 (Rosehill 1900m)

Group 3 San Domenico Stakes 2020 (Rosehill 1100m)

Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes 2020 (Morphettville Parks 1400m)

Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes 2020 (Belmont 1300m)

The track was rated as Good 4

Scratchings were 12. Albarado

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	10. Immortal Love
2nd	7. Flying Award	0.1 length
3rd	1. Tagaloa	0.2 length
4th	4. Extra Time	0.4 length