Five Diamonds - 1800m, Rosehill R8
The Five Diamonds is the big money race of the day in Sydney, with the five-year-olds running for $2 million under set weights and penalties conditions.
Antino is the favourite, and well he might be. He’s been campaigning in Melbourne this spring, after a Brisbane autumn/winter campaign that saw him win four races on end. Down in “Mexico”, he’s been running extremely well without any luck, and despite winning only one race, some would argue he should have won all four.
He was trapped away on the inside first-up at Flemington, in a ride that saw James Orman get the sack for Blake Shinn. Second-up he was able to salute at Group 3 level as the raging favourite. Third-up he was a nose away from winning the Group 1 Toorak Handicap after drawing 16 of 16, and last start he was help up again and was just shaded by a potential star New Zealand mare. Antino is almost certainly the best horse in this race, and with even luck should be winning.
Democracy Manifest just keeps improving under the handling of Chris Waller. He won a fast Cameron Handicap, beating subsequent Five Diamonds Prelude winner Palmetto, and was one of the runs of the day in the Epsom when making ground on a day and in a race that suited on-pacers. Last time out he was the eye-catcher again from the rear, but we have to admit his racing pattern means he won’t win out of turn.
Detonator Jack hasn’t won this campaign, but in three of his four races he’s gone down by less than half a length against some decent horses, and the form around him has been sound. He looks ready for 1800m now, and as a winner over 2100m he’s proven at the distance in a way that a few other of the main fancies aren’t. Barrier 8 will give Jason Collett some options.
Unspoken is the horse rising through the grades for the Snowden camp, and looks to be peaking for this assignment. He’s now won three in a row this preparation, including last start by a widening four lengths. Admittedly he only had 52kg’s there, and comes up to 56kg’s here, but he couldn’t be in better form, and will surely give you a good shout at a double figure quote.
Palmetto is big odds again, and draws perfectly to pull off another upset. Jimi Hendrix is the unknown quantity, transferred to Annabel Neasham from the UK and having his first run in the country. Hope In Your Heart deserves a win like this, but just doesn’t go as well on the dry as she does with a bit of juice in the track. Waterford draws the widest gate, which is going to make it tough for him.
Selections: 1.Antino 2.Democracy Manifest 3.Detonator Jack 4.Unspoken
ANTINO
WIN
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
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