The Heath 1100 – 2021

Track: Good Weather: Fine

Eleven have accepted for the $200,000 Group 3 The Heath 1100.  Six of them are resuming while the remaining five having had at least one run back from a spell.  Most eyes will be focused in on Masked Crusader who returns from the spelling paddock.  The 2021 William Reid Stakes winner stifles the early betting as an odds on favourite and lays claims to being one of the best sprinters in the country.  And he looks very hard to beat here.  On the next line of betting is Peter Moody’s up and comer Oxley Road.  He was a Group 3 winner here at just his second start and ran a slashing race first up at Flemington.

Crosshaven is better over further but is a classy gelding and it won’t shock to see him bounce back from two disappointing runs in the Autumn.  Spaceboy has a lot of speed and looks the likely leader.  Viridine hasn’t won for a while but races well at Caulfield and maps to get a gun run.  Amish Boy is Group 1 placed and has the advantage of racing on his home track, however doesn’t win out of turn.  He has one win from sixteen starts and may be a better place thank win option.  The remaining runners are $20-1 or longer.

1. Masked Crusader

Masked Crusader is a quality sprinter from the Hawkes barn and the highest rated horse in the race by someway.  He bolted in, in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley in March, then ran a huge race behind Nature Strip in the T J Smith.  He has trialled up well and maps to drift back from barrier ten and make his run down the outside.  Clearly the one to beat.

2. Poland

Poland put in a good effort to win the Autumn Stakes over 1400m first up in February.  Not sure he can match these over 1100 with the blinkers coming off.  Look for him over further.

3. Crosshaven

Finished fourth in last years Caulfield Guineas before going onto win the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington.  This distance may be a bit short for him first up but look for him hitting the line late.  Consider for multiples.

4. Oxley Road

This four year old entire has two wins and a second from his four starts.  He looked the winner first up at Flemington before Miss Albania was able to sprout wings late to run him down.  He’s got the most upside out of any horse in the field and it wouldn’t shock to see him run a big race here.

5. Viridine

Was a big run here two starts ago when back and wide in the Bletchingly, then made good ground in the Missile Stakes at Rosehill.  Maps to get a nice run here and is in the mix.

6. Amish Boy

Resumes on his home track where he has two placings from three attempts.  He ran a slashing race in the Group 1 Newmarket earlier in the year, before heading north to Sydney and Brisbane where he was competitive at Group 2 and Group 3 level.  May need some luck from barrier one but if he gets it he has a knock out chance.

7. Prezado

Prezado is a much better horse at Flemington and has never won first up.  For those reasons I’m happy to risk him.

8. Spaceboy

Likely to take up the lead from an inside draw.  He has finished second at both runs this time in and is going well.  Consider for multiples.

9. Yes Baby Yes

Resumer trained by Leon & Troy Corstens.  She gets an inform Craig Williams but looks out classed here and needs further.

10. Naval Envoy

Well ridden to score narrowly at Geelong last start but is another who is out classed here.

11. Kalkarni Royal

Has had a good winter campaign which has included winning a strong benchmark 70 at Geelong on June 6 and a benchmark 84 at Flemington two starts ago.  Place claims.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Masked Crusader	1. Masked Crusader
4. Oxley Road	4. Oxley Road
8. Spaceboy	5. Viridine
6. Amish Boy	6. Amish boy

Group 1 Memsie Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 W W Cockram Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality 2021 (Kembla Grange 1400m)

Group 3 San Domenico Stakes 2021 (Kembla Grange 1100m)

Group 3 Premier’s Cup 2021 (Kembla Grange 2000m)

Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes 2021 (Morphettville Parks 1400m)

Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes 2021 (Belmont 1300m)

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: nil

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1. Masked Crusader
2nd	6. Amish Boy	0.75 length
3rd	4. Oxley Road	1.75 lengths
4th	11. Kalkarni Royale	1.95 lengths