Herbert Power Stakes – 2021

Track: Good? Weather: Shower or two

Fourteen accepted and thirteen remain after the early scratching of Fun Fact for the $300,000 Herbert Power Stakes.  Three of these had their last start in the Naturalism while two others ran in the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley.  Ciaron Maher & David Eustace saddle up two runners and one of those is the race favourite Floating Artist.  He is looking to make it four wins in a row here and win his way into next weeks Caulfield Cup.  The second favourite is Delphi.  He narrowly missed in the Naturalism Stakes last start and gets Damian Oliver in the saddle for this.

Defibrillate has never lost at Caulfield or fourth up.  Tooradin has won his last two starts.  The Chosen One finished third in the Caulfield Cup last year at this track and distance.  Hasta La War was dominant winning his last start in Adelaide, while King Of Leogrance was building nicely through the line in his first run back from a lengthy spell.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. The Chosen One

Jumps sharply in trip from 1800m to 2400m for this third up assignment.  He was third in last years Caulfield Cup before going onto finish fourth in the Melbourne Cup.  Has some weight to lump but is capable of running a big race here.

2. King Of Leogrance

Talented stayer who won the 2020 Adelaide Cup.  He was close to a year off into his run at Flemington on September 11 and I thought he was good through the line there.  Drops in weight here and the rise to 2400m suits.  Can run well at a price.

3. Mirage Dancer

Rising eight year old who hasn’t won for a while.  Put in his best run for a while in the Naturalism where he finished fourth.  Consider for multiples.

4. Defibrillate

Was well fancied in the JRA Cup last start when fourth.  Thought his run behind Floating Artist prior was very good and he gets a significant weight swing on that horse.  Unbeaten in three Caulfield runs and unbeaten fourth up.  Each way chance.

5. Delphi

Lightly raced important trained by Anthony & Sam Freedman.  He ran fourth in the Heatherlie then improved to narrowly miss in the Naturalism.  Looking for this trip now.  Major player.

6. Future Score

Won the Cranbourne Cup second up last prep.  Needs to improve a long way off a first up thirteenth in the Naturalism to figure here

7. Floating Artist

Maher & Eustace stayer who just keeps improving.  He has won his last two at Flemington and Sandown very impressively and gives every indication he will eat up the 2400m.  Will role forward again from barrier 11 and should plenty of catching.

8. Fun Fact – SCR

9. Rostropovich

Seven year old gelding trained by Ben & JD Hayes.  He beat Defibrillate home in the JRA Cup last start and could be looking for the mile and a half now. Consider for multiples.

10. Aktau

Been poor in all four runs this preparation.  Very hard to make a case for him off recent form.

11. Tooradin

Very consistent gelding trained my Maher & Eustace.  He has finished in the top two at his last seven starts.  First try at this level but is capable of measuring up.

12. Barade

This seven year old gelding is going well this preparation.  Last start in the Benalla Cup he got taken very wide on the turn but kept coming on the line not to be beaten far.  Should be getting close to peak fitness here fourth up.

13. Hasta La War

South Australian who scored easily in a benchmark 76 at Morphettville last start.  Up in grade here but is going well and should get a soft run from an inside draw.  Consider.

14. Killourney

Tounge tie goes on.  Ran home well behind Schabau at Flemington two starts ago, then was comfortably beaten by Tooradin last time.   Will need to improve to play a role here.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
7. Floating Artist	7. Floating Artist
11. Tooradin	5. Delphi
4. Defibrillate	11. Tooradin
5. Delphi	1. The Chosen One

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	5. Delphi
2nd	1. The Chosen One	1 length
3rd	13. Hasta La War	2 lengths
4th	4. Defibrillate	3.5 lengths

The track was rated as Good 3.

Scratchings: 2. King Of Leogrance, 7. Floating Artist, 8. Fun Fact.