Kevin Heffernan Stakes – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A small field of seven runners remain for the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes after the early scratching of Travimyfriend.  Last start winner Kemalpasa is the early favourite.  He took out the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes last start having ran third in the Gilgai Stakes at his previous start.  Blazejowski also comes through the Linlithgow Stakes where he finished fifth.

The four year old Wild Vixen has finished first and third at her two starts this preparation and appears to have gone to a new level.  Order Of Command bounced back to form last start to finish second behind Kemalpasa.  Streets of Avalon is a Group 1 winner but has been out of form and will need to handle a drop back of 300m in distance to win here.  Music Bay put in a poor run at her last start but her best would see her competitive.  Neighbourhood is lightly raced and she is another that comes through the Linlithgow Stakes.

1.  Streets Of Avalon

He is down in class but also needs to handle heading back 300m in distance.  He is now deep into his preparation and struggling to find his best form.

2. Kemalpasa

Kemalpasa has been very good in both Melbourne runs this preparation.  He was perfectly ridden by Craig Williams last start to win the group 2 Linlithgow and should be able to take up the lead here.  He looks to have a great chance again.

3. Order Of Command

Order Of Command has been mixing his form this preparation but his best would see him the one to beat here.  He has had four starts over this distance and is yet to win which is a concern.

4. Travimyfriend – SCR

5. Blazejowski

Blazejowski jumped out very well before sticking on okay behind Kemalpasa first up.  He will take improvement from that run and appreciate the extra 100m of distance.  He is also drawn well.

6. Music Bay

Music Bay’s first up run at Geelong was excellent – she rocketed home to finish third against the pattern of the day.  She is much much better than her last run where she finished last.  Michael Poy hops back aboard – she can run a huge race at double figure odds.

7. Wild Vixen

This lightly race daughter of Foxwedge resumed well in winning the listed Black Pearl on Geelong Cup day.  She was good again last start at Flemington and is setto run well again here third up.

8. Neighborhood

Neighbourhood crossed the line with Blazejowski in the Linlithgow and she will take good fitness from that first up run.  My knock on her is that she is a get back runner and barrier one means she is going to need a good ride.

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