The Straight Six – 2021

Track: Good Weather: Clear

Sixteen plus one emergency have accepted for the feature of the day at Flemington – the $140,000 Straight Six Handicap.  Trainers Lindsey Smith, David Jolly and Kurt Goldman all have two runners.  One of the key lead ups is the Wangoom Handicap which was run at Warrnambool during their May carnival – four had their last start in that race.  The early favourite is Pandemic from the Godolphin yard.  He hit the line very strongly last time behind the subsequent Group 1 winner Savatoxl at Morphettville.  The second favourite is Streetcar Stranger.  He is shooting for a hatrick of wins with Jamie Kah in the saddle.  Ocular has always shown plenty of ability and comes here off the back of a win on Warrnambool Cup day.

Great Again ran fourth in the Wangoom Handicap handicap first up and looks to have returned in good order while Riding The Wave had no luck in the same race where he went to the line virtually untested.  Halvorsen finished second here over 1000m last time and has been competitive at Group 1 level in the past, while Dexelation was arguably the run of the race in the Wangoom Handicap.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Great Again

Consistent off season sprinter trained by Linsey Smith at Warrnambool.  He ran well in the Wangoom first up with the big weight.  Likes racing here but would prefer him on a softer track.

2. Aramayo

Aramayo returns to Australia after successful stint in Singapore.  He was a dual group 1 winner in August/October over the mile and 1800m.  He is now with Chris Waller and clearly a talented runner but may need further.  Big watch.

3. Halvorsen

Improved significantly to finish second when dropping back to 1000m here on Anzac Day.  His best would see him in the finish here.

4. Romancer

Likes racing here but this is just a pipe opener first up.  Look for him hitting the line with 1400m in mind for next time.

5. Rox The Castle

Finished fifth beaten 2.8 lengths at Caulfield first up off a long spell.  Thought that run was encouraging but it doesn’t get any easier for him here.  Consider for multiples.

6. Pandemic

Four year old son of Sepoy trained by James Cumming.  Race shape was against last time but he still hit the line really strongly behind the subsequent Group 1 winner Savatoxl.  Expecting him to run well again.

7. Streetcar Stranger

Big effort to win a benchmark 78 at Morphettville two starts ago, then won again at Caulfield.  Jamie Kah sticks.  In the mix.

8. Vinland

Now with Peter Moody.  May have had a few issues given a couple of trainer changes and lengthy spells.  Prefer to see him first up.

9. Dexelation

Thought his run in the Wangoom was excellent.  He was one of the few runners to sit away from the rail and run well.  He is going really well and has an each way chance here.

10. Riding The Wave

Another from the Lindsey Smith yard.  He had absolutely no luck in the Wangoom last time where he was well supported in the betting.  Looks to have come back in good order and has run well in both previous attempts down the straight.

11. Crown Fontein

Safely held in his two runs back from a spell.  Hard to recommend off that.

12. Intuition

Trained by Kurt Goldman at Goulburn.  He finished sixth beaten 5.4 lengths in the Wagga Town Plate first up.  Not likely to be the right form for this.

13. I’m Telling Ya

Back marker who is capable of producing a big finish on his day but seems short enough against this class of animal.

14. Ocular

Hit the line hard at Cranbourne first up, then was well ridden to score at Warrnambool in a benchmark 78 last time.   He drops right down in the weights here and is suited stepping to 1200m.  Capable of measuring up.

15. Irish Songs

The second of the Kurt Goldman runners.  Needs to improve off a fourth placed finished in the Wagga Town Plate first up.

16. Capriccio

Capriccio impressed winning here in February.  Still very lightly raced and hit the line solidly at Warrnambool behind Ocular last time.  Roughie with a chance.

17. Trip  –  Emergency

Trip struggled to win as a younger horse but clearly the penny has dropped given she has finished in the top two at six of her last seven.  Wasn’t far off Streetcar Stranger first up.  If she gets a run she looks an outside chance.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
6. Pandemic	14. Ocular
7. Streetcar Stranger	6. Pandemic
14. Ocular	9. Dexelation
9. Dexelation	10. Riding The Wave

Group 1 Doomben Cup 2021 (Doomben)