Ming Dynasty Quality – 2021

Track: Heavy   Weather: Overcast

There is a field of nine runners for the $160,000 Ming Dynasty Quality and three of them had their last start in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes on 14 August. There are seven colts, one gelding and one filly. with two colts sired by American Pharoah and two by Astern. Chris Waller has three runners. The early favourite is Coastwatch who was a close 2nd in the Up And Coming. Second favourite is Military Expert who comes off a win in a maiden handicap at Newcastle. Third favourite is Arnaqueur who won a Class 1 handicap at this track and distance last outing.

Subterranean came 4th in the Up And Coming when first-up.  Yulong Turbo has one win from his two starts and resumes after 29 weeks. Dark Rebel had his last two races in Brisbane and is back after 11 weeks. Patton was 5th in the Up And Coming Stakes.  Chill comes off a win in a fillies maiden handicap at Kensington, while Head Of State resumed for 6th at Newcastle.

1. Subterranean

This Rebel Dane colt trained by Matthew Dunn has two wins and three places from nine starts. He finished 1.8 lengths 4th in the Up And Coming Stakes after being crowded and steadied in the concluding stages, and had the best last 800m-400m race sectional. At least a place chance.

2. Coastwatch

One of three runners for Chris Waller, this Fastnet Rock gelding only just missed in a driving finish in the Up And Coming Stakes. He is perfectly drawn in barrier 1 and with James McDonald riding he should fight out the finish again.

3. Arnaqueur

He is one of two colts in the race that are sired by Astern (the other is Dark Rebel). Trained by Jean Dubois at Goulburn he ran on strongly for a Class 1 win at this track and distance last outing, giving him his 2nd win from four starts. Should make his presence felt.

4. Patton

One of two colts sired by American Pharoah (the other is Head Of State) , this Team Hawkes runner kept chasing for 2.8 lengths 5th in the Up And Coming Stakes.

5. Head Of State

Another from the Waller stable. He resumed for 3.2 lengths 6th over 1300m at Newcastle on 11 August.

6. Military Expert

Annabel Neasham trains this Redoubte’s Choice colt who has a win and a place from three starts. His latest start was his maiden win over 1200m at Newcastle on 7 August. He fought well for that win and is a serious chance here.

7. Chill

This Vancouver filly trained by Anthony Cummings comes off a win in a 3YO fillies maiden handicap over 1250m at Kensington on 18 August. Rough hope.

8. Dark Rebel

Trained by Edward Cummings, this Astern colt won over 1400m at Warwick Farm at his first start then was taken to Queensland where he raced in the Group 2 BRC Sires Produce and the Group 1 JJ Atkins Plate where he finished 8.1 lengths 8th of 14. Has had an 11 week let-up and could surprise.

9. Yulong Turbo

Having his first race for Chris Waller and has only had two previous races. Debuted for a win over 1050m a Morphettville, then finished 3.4 lengths 9th in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude. Has spelled for 29 weeks but has had several trials.

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

Jo’s Tips
2 Coastwatch
1 Subterranean
3 Arnaqueur
6 Military Expert

The track was rated as Soft 6.

Scratchings: –

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	2. Coastwatch
2nd	6. Military Expert	0.8 length
3rd	1. Subterranean	3.1 lengths
4th	3. Arnaqueur	4.4 lengths