Track: Slow? Weather: Showers

Thirteen runners have accepted for Friday night’s $200,000 JRA Cup and Michael Moroney is the only trainer with multiple runners.  The favourite in the early betting markets is Defibrillate.  He improved sharply second up to finish runner up at Flemington a fortnight ago and is three from four at the distance.  The second favourite is Homesman.  He won the Australian Cup earlier in the year and goes well fresh.

Secret Blaze has been hitting the line strongly and finally gets out to a trip which suits.  Mount Poppa was dominant winning the Mornington Cup in March and is yet to miss a place over the mile and a quarter.  Inverloch looks the likely leader.  Djukon was luckless first but draws a sticky gate here.  Al Galayel won this race last year.  Ghodeleine is a mare in form, while Sound is another who will appreciate stepping out in trip.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Homesman

Eight year old gelding who took out the Australian Cup over this distance earlier in the year.  He goes well first up, at this track and over this distance so plenty of reasons to like him here.

2. Sound

Wasn’t beaten far first up over the mile which is well short of his best trip.  Not hopeless here but would prefer to back him at 2400m and beyond.

3. Defibrillate

Improved sharply second up (typical for him) to finish second in a strong 1700m Open Handicap at Flemington.  Drops in weight for this and is unbeaten third up.  Rates highly here.

4. Mount Poppa

Dominant winner of the Mornington Cup over 2400m in March.  Got going late in the Winx Stakes first up, then finished eighth in the Makybe Diva over the mile.  Is much better suited stepping out to 2000m here.  Each way claims.

5. Al Galayel

Back to defend his title after winning this race last year.  He has only been fair in his two runs back from a spell and his trial in between runs was okay at best.

6. Inverloch

Races at his best when he is allowed to roll along out in front and I’m expecting Linda Meech to let him to do that here.  He loves soft conditions and this distance.  Can give a sight at double figure odds.

7. Hi Stanger

Two wins from three goes at Moonee Valley but happy to risk him here.  He is up in grade and trying the mile and a quarter for the first time.

8. Secret Blaze

Going much better than his form suggests.  Has hit the line well in all three goes this time in and finally gets out to a trip which suits.  Craig Williams goes on.  Expecting him to run really well.

9. Rostropovich

Not beaten far first up but that was in a weaker race than this.  Other runs in recent times have been poor.  Not for me.

10. English King

Ex European galloper.  He started long odds in the Heatherlie first up and never came into it.  Can’t recommend off that.

11. Djukon

Chris Waller trained gelding.  There was money around at a big price suggesting he would run well first up.  He appeared to be bolting on the turn but never ever got a crack at them and went to the line virtually untested.  Each way claims.

12. Eperdument

Started $100-1 in the Balaklava Cup last start and was beaten 10 + lengths.  Does not appeal here.

13. Ghodeleine

Has been racing in super form.  Latest she was luckless at Sandown but still managed to pick up and win by a narrow margin.  Is up in grade here but drops down to 54kg.  Knock out chance.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
3. Defibrillate	3. Defibrillate
1. Homesman	8. Secret Blaze
8. Secret Blaze	1. Homesman
13. Ghodeleine	6. Inverloch

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	8. Secret Blaze
2nd	1. Homesman	0.75 length
3rd	9. Rostropovich	1.25 lengths
4th	3, Defibrillate	1.75 lengths

The track was rated as Good 3.

Scratchings: 4. Mount Popa