Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are fourteen acceptors for the $500,000 Group 1 William Reid Stakes.  This is going to be a great race run at a very fast pace!   Six of these had their last start in the Newmarket Handicap on March 6 while two others are first up.  James Cummings is the only trainer with multiple runners.  There are three 3 year-olds and three last start winners in this years race.

The early favourite is Libertini who is first up.  She has won two of four first up including the Premiere Stakes by two lengths in October.  She also ran third in the VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington before heading for a spell.  Second favourite is September Run who started a firm favourite in the Newmarket Handicap.  She put in a rare poor performance finishing tenth – her run prior in the Lightning Stakes was very good.  Ancestry is on the quick back up after winning the Listed Abell Stakes here last week and is unbeaten at Moonee Valley.

Masked Crusader comes down from Sydney.  He bolted in first up at Randwick and has plenty of talent.  Hey Doc won the Manikato Stakes here in the Spring – he loves racing at this track.  Swat’s That and Brooklyn Hustle were in the wrong section of the track in the Newmarket Handicap but still hit the line well.  Portland Sky dead heated in the Oakleigh Plate while Pippie has plenty of speed to burn.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Hey Doc

Had a lot of weight first up and was soundly beaten.  Won the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley last preparation.  Should get a good run from barrier 5 with the speed on!

2. Kementari

Won a group three contest in Western Australia before spelling.  Race sets up okay for him from barrier 9.  Roughie with a chance.

3. Elite Street

This lightly raced Western Australian has struggled in two big Group 1 contests since coming to Melbourne.  Prior, he had won 5 of his 8 starts in Perth.

4. Indian Pacific

Finished second in the Newmarket Handicap.  His form is good enough but he is an on speed runner drawn barrier 14 which makes things really hard with plenty of speed drawn underneath him.

5. Ancestry

Speed machine who bounced back strongly from a poor Oakleigh Plate run with an all the way win here last week.  He loves this track and can be in this for a long way.  Note: he is also an acceptor for the Hareeba Stakes at Mornington on Saturday.

6. Masked Crusader

Looked good winning first up in Sydney, then found himself in a trick spot last time but hit the line fairly well.  May need some luck from barrier 2 but if he gets it then he is one of the chances here.

7. Flit

The second of the Cummings runners.  She hasn’t done much this time in but wouldn’t shock to see her run a race at big odds.

8 Libertini

Resumes.  She will drift back from barrier 13 and will be looking for a cart into the race off a fast tempo.  If she can get it then she has a strong turn of foot and can reel these in.

9. Pippie

Won the Moir Stakes over 1000m here last year.  She has plenty of speed and Noel Callow will likely be trying to find the fence.  Happy to risk her at 1200m.

10. Bella Vella

Has a good record at this track but not sure she runs 1200m.

11. Brooklyn Hustle

Strong Moonee Valley record and gets Damian Lane.  Map looks good also.  She was unlucky in the Newmarket and is right in this.

12. Portland Sky

Dead heated in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate last start.  That form has held up strongly with Zoutori winning the Newmarket.

13. September Run

Is looking to bounce back after a poor run in the Newmarket Handicap a fortnight ago.  Prior she ran a terrific race in the Lightning Stakes and also won the Coolmore Stud Stakes in October.  Needs to prove herself away from Flemington.

14. Swats That

She was in the wrong section of the track in the Newmarket but wasn’t beaten far.  Ran well in the Lightning Stakes prior to that.   If she can get clear at the right time then she is a genuine winning chance here.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
8. Libertini	11. Brooklyn Hustle
5. Ancestry	8. Libertini
13. September Run	14. Swats That
1. Hey Doc	13. September Run

Group 1 Golden Slipper 2021 (Rosehill 1200m)

Listed Mornington Cup 2021 (Mornington 2400m)