Horses to Follow

Nags Blackbook

The form desk's shortlist. Patterns, targets and the races to watch.

C

Caddington

Excellent win coming from off speed and was very strong late to run over the top. Looks one with plenty of ability and upside.

A

Aroused

Excellent run at start 2, loomed up and kicked but just got run down late, she has plenty of upside.

S

Splash Back

Back and doing best work over last part of her race, 2nd up out in trip looks a perfect set up for her.

B

Buckaroo

Gave him no hope Saturday but he was stiff not to win, he was rattling home. Not sure where he heads next but he looks back in track again so will be hard to beat wherever he goes.

M

Middle Earth

Was never a hope in Cox Plate but was warming up last 200m, entire prep is on a very similar path to last year where he peaked and ran 3rd in then Cup, clearly had 1 target in mind all campaign and he will run very well at odds.

Y

Your Colour

Back last and was working through the pack very nicely into 2nd, further they went stronger she got. Genuine player in the Oaks.

R

Refuse To Curtsy

Sat mid to back, she hooked out and was working home nicely as well, stable won the oaks last year, this filly look competitive heading that way as well.

T

Tharwa

Was making up very good ground out wide, she’ll head towards oaks and be a chance for sure off that run.

S

Star Of Macedon

Stuck back and inside runners, finally got to outside and his work over the last 200m was excellent. Flemington looks an ideal next start for him.

R

Regal Ambition

Clearly the filly you want coming out of the guineas, the leaders had it soft up front and she had to work but got home well. Not sure if she pushes on but either way she is one to stick with.

S

Salann

Finally showed something, back last but was working home nicely to be only 3L off them. Maybe she is a sneaky oaks chance at big odds.

D

Doubt Time

Was 4L off 2nd last horse early, hooked the widest and was making up very good ground out wide. Excellent run against the pattern of the day.

H

Half Pipe

Back last, stayed inside and weaved a passage through the field and ran on very well last 200m.

T

Terilee

Sat a bit closer, came out after the leader and ran on nicely. Looks a race for her over the Flemington carnival.

C

Concord Connie

Excellent run on a track clearly not suiting, got back and was running on well out wide. 3rd up at Flemington looks a real tick.

S

Sequinned

Super win, sat wide and she clearly still does plenty wrong but her turn of foot once let go was ultra impressive.

K

Knight's Choice

Excellent run, unlucky not to win. Key to him is dry tracks so as long as they stay firm he is going to be right in the game again on Cup Day.

Z

Zakouma

Again did enough, work late was very solid, he is going to improve lengths at Flemington as well. Probably one more run before Cup Day.

S

Shockletz

Flying this prep, ran in really solidly for 2nd, looks primed now for the Melbourne Cup where she will plummet in weights. Sneaky lightweight chance.

P

Point Barrow

She is absolutely flying, back last and unleashed a big finish yet again. Loves the straight track as well so no doubt she finds a race there.

S

Steparty

Very nice return when sitting off speed and running home strongly to just miss out, looks in for a nice prep and certainly wins in him.

H

Hankee Alpha

Made an absolute mess of them 1st run in Australia, Williams had a stranglehold on it and once let go burst away to win by 6. May have been the heavy conditions but certainly worthy of following next time, particularly if wet.

A

Alibaba

Excellent return behind 2 very smart types, was really strong on behind them for 4th at massive odds. Got a win at big odds in him this prep.

S

Smooth Chino

Was happy to risk on Saturday first go up straight and heavy track but ran a cracker, got some class about him and in an underrated stable. He's not up to top liners but any 2nd tier sprint looks ideal.

V

Voynichese

Sneaky good run in a good race, got back and was dropped on turn, her work last 100m and through the line was very nice. Looks on an Oaks prep and can only think big track and further will be ideal.

H

Herecomesthestar

Sneaky good run behind Point Barrow, got back and made up nice ground, she has a race in her this spring and probably get decent odds.

B

Birdman

Excellent win in the Underwood, really put them away very comfortably once Melham pushed the button, has always shown ability and is now putting it all together, he is clearly going to be in contention in any of the big races going forward.

S

Sepals

Excellent run in the Sir Rupert Clarke 1st up, just got run down late, will be fitter for that run and looks in for a good spring campaign. He is going to be dangerous 2nd and 3rd up.

P

Paradoxium

Smart type, led and was holding them all off pretty comfortable on the line. Probably even better suited with something to chase. In for a good spring.

B

Buggsy

Not in same class as the winner but really liked its work through the line, if they target the 2nd level races he is capable of winning again.

A

Autumn Boy

Got back and was able to grab onto Sheza Alibi, didn't have her turn of foot but his work through the line was excellent.

N

Natural Fling

3yo who fought on really well in the Moir, she is a very classy type who will be very hard to beat back to her age group next time out.

A

Annie’s Rose

Airborne this mare and arguably should have won the last race at Randwick on Saturday. Dragged back to last on a day where it was beneficial to be in the front half of the field. Really liked the way she exploded through the line recording the 2nd fastest last 400m and 200m of the meeting. She’ll be third up next run and if we can get a rider change, she’s bursting to win again in similar grade.

A

Alabama State

Looks a low-level stakes horse in the making and was trapped wide, no cover the entire trip but stuck on for 4th. Another that will be 3rd up next start out to 1400-1600 from a good draw looks ideal and does have the ability to settle anywhere in the run.

N

Ninja

Come back a bigger and stronger horse this time in putting a good field to the sword in a Missile Stakes. His pattern gets him out of trouble and he will only improve off the first-up run.

N

Napoleonic

Chased Ninja in vain, but does look to have come back physically bigger. That's twice Ninja has beaten him now. Not sure if he can jag a major in Sydney, but a switch to Melbourne will see him hard to beat in whatever he contests.

A

Angel Capital

Continues to frustrate punters, but the money was there Saturday and he finished the race off full of running. 1400m of the Rupert Clarke looks his best chance of jagging that elusive G1 win.