Hollindale Stakes - 1800m, Sunshine Coast R7
Half a million dollars is on the line in the Hollindale Stakes, and it has assembled a field of mostly fit and very much in-form horses. The weight-for-age conditions of the race do suit two horses in particular, but the rest of the field is evenly matched indeed.
Zaaki is the headline horse, and the standout selection. He announced himself to the Australian racing public in winning this race two years ago, and followed it up with a seven length romp in the Doomben Cup. Since then he’s picked up another three Group 1 wins, plus an All-Star Mile, been beaten just over a length in a Cox Plate, and in fact won this race last year as well.
Zaaki didn’t play a part in the Victoria carnival earlier this year, and only resumed in Sydney late in the piece, after trainer Annabel Neasham felt he wasn’t at his best in February and March. He put paid to any doubts about his form or fitness with a game second to Giga Kick in the All Aged Stakes, and is clearly the one to beat here.
Atishu, as a last start Group 1 winner, is the main and logical danger to the favourite. She has kept improving through her career and having won Group races over distances from 1400m-2000m, the 1800m of the Hollindale is right in her wheelhouse.
Atishu’s Queen of the Turf win was as effortless as it was dominant, and if she can creep into this race as she did that day, then she’ll give Zaaki something to think about when the whips are cracking in the run to the line.
You can throw a blanket over the rest of the field, in trying to come up with one or two to spring an upset.
Zeyrek had been flying, with two wins and a narrow second, before being thrown in the deep end against Dubai Honour and Anamoe in the Queen Elizabeth. He was far from disgraced there, but has been given time to recover and can run well accordingly.
Huetor proved his class in the Doomben Cup last year, and has been building up to his better form. He gets a nice weight swing against Diamil and Banker’s Choice, who both beat him home in the JRA Plate last time out.
Skyman has been in rock solid form for Chris Waller in recent times, while stablemate New Mandate might be ready to go on with things now after his Hawkesbury Cup win.
Selections: 1.Zaaki 2.Atishu 3.Zeyrek 4.Huetor
ZAAKI
WIN
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
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