Monday Musings for August 14

Tom Baddock - Monday August 14

Four winners, a $5610 quaddie and the emergence of a potential The Everest contender made it an enjoyable Saturday for the Racenet team.

The Everest had a new contender emerge at Rosehill on Saturday.

Weekend Winners' Star Bet got followers off to a flying start with Arbeitsam proving he is a real spring contender with a dominant front running display in the Merrylands RSL Club Premier's Cup Prelude (1800m).

Arbeitsam led from barrier to box, scooting home in 1:48.37, just 0.38 seconds outside of Intergaze's track record set more than 20 years ago, with jockey Tommy Berry declaring the four-year-old had a lot more in store.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained runner was crunched in early betting, firming from as much as $3 on Thursday into a $1.95 favourite at start time.

Arbetisam made easy work of his opponents at Rosehill.

Ben Dorries' tip for the Pillow Talk Class 6 Plate (1350m) at Doomben was the next to salute. Dorries Conceded Oink was going to be no fancy odds but he was more than happy to take the $1.95 on offer for a horse with clearly superior form on paper.

Oink was never in doubt and came away for Damian Browne in the final stages to win comfortably by 1-1/2 lengths on the line.

Laurie Sainsbury added some value to selections when the Chris Waller-trained Alward proved too strong in the VRC Member Doris Theuma Handicap (2000m) at his thid Australian start.

The five-year-old had closed nicely over 1800m against the on speed pattern of the day at Sandown the start prior and his European form suggested he would enjoy the step up in trip at Flemington.

As much as $9 was bet earlier in the week for the import before firming into $5.50 by start time.

After a couple of placings earlier in the day at Rosehill Paul Joice blasted out in the final event with the John Thompson-trained Special Missile .

The gelding continued his rich vein of form in the Campbelltown Catholic Club Handicap (1500m) with a strong front-running performance, claiming his fourth consecutive win.

The Smart Missile gelding was well-supported in betting to start the $2.80 favourite.

The win also signalled the final leg of Racenet's Quaddie Attack at Rosehill which paid $5610.

Menari ($3.70) took out the first leg, Kingsguard ($8.50) the second leg, and Eloura at a massive $31 the third leg.

The Racenet quaddie consisted of 240 combinations and equated to 8.33% for a $20 investment. For followers this meant a collect of $467.30.

PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY

Menari was the standout performance at Rosehill on Saturday in the Listed Rosebud (1100m). The Gerald Ryan-trained colt was lumped with 60.5kg, settled at the rear of the field and travelled up strongly to easily put away the unbeaten and race fit Siege Of Quebec with an exceptional turn of speed. What added even more merit to the win was the fact he was able to do so against the pattern of the day which favoured on pace runners. The colt looms as a genuine contender for the $10m The Everest with Ryan indicating he has already had interest from slot holders. Menari was installed at $26 for The Everest after his win, despite yet holding a slot. No doubt slot holders' eyes will be on the Snitzel colt when he next appears in the San Domenico Stakes, where he will drop to 56kg.

Menari looked super with his winning return in the Rosebud.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

Etymology – This Godolphin-trained stayer looks to be in for a good preparation after an excellent resuming run in the Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club Spring Preview (1400m). While he lacked a late sprint on Saturday you can expect this son of New Approach to continue improving up in distance with Group I placings in the Victorian and South Australian Derbys' already to his name.

FORGIVE FILE

Sir Plush – The consistent Sir Plush had no luck as favourite in the Dooleys Handicap (1100m). The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding was trapped three-wide no cover throughout and understandably weakened in the final stages of the race to finish eighth. He hasn't been far away from some talented horses his past couple and can bounce back next start.

Washington Heights & Tom Melbourne - I'm not sure which of these two gallopers would have won given clear running but there's no doubt one of them would have given an ounce of luck. Chris Waller looks like he may have found the key to Tom Melbourne while Washington Heights clearly has more wins in store.

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