Trainers had to trust their track riders on Tuesday with fog blanketing the course for much of the morning.
Last season's Australian Derby winner and Memsie Stakes nominated Jon Snow was out early under Stephen Baster, disappearing into the fog before the 1200m marker and completing his gallop on the grass.
Conditions improved as the sun rose and the Mike Moroney-trained Tribal Wisdom looked good in his grass gallop with Yesterday's Songs, with both horses nominated for races at Caulfield on Saturday.
Markers on the steeple grass were out four metres, riders reporting the ground riding in the good (4) range.
Racenet has compiled a list of times below with an analysis of the work to assist punters.
Horse |
Distance |
last 400m |
Comment |
Tribal Wisdom & Yesterday's Songs |
1000m (Steeple grass) 1:05.27 |
23.89 |
Tribal Wisdom sat two lengths off the older horse through the early stages before joining in off the turn and easing clear, both strong through the line. Tribal Wisdom nominated for the Benchmark78 over 1200m. Yesterday's Songs nominated for the Open Handicap over 1400m. |
Play That Song |
1000m (Steeple grass) 1:05.54 |
24.28 |
Steady from the start and maintained a consistent tempo with a partner. Moved alongside in the straight and eased clear under a hold and well on through the line. Nominated for the 3YO Fillies Benchmark70. |
Vengeur Masque & Potemkin |
1200m (Steeple grass) 1:18.47 |
25.34 |
Steady from the off with Vengeur Masque sitting off Potemkin to the home turn. Built all the way through the line and together at the finish. Vengeur Masque nominated for the Heatherlie Stakes. Potemkin nominated for Bendigo on Friday and the Open 1400m at Caulfield. |
Hartnell |
1000m (Steeple grass) 1:12.14 |
26.44 |
Looks in great order. Nice and relaxed, went into the fog in a controlled tempo, easily done in the straight and not out to go any faster. |
Esperance |
1000m (Pro-Ride) 1:11.80 |
26.13 |
Relaxed cantering off, came out of the fog travelling strongly but not out to go any faster and this done with ease. |
Demonstrate |
1000m (Pro-Ride) 1:10.21 |
26.38 |
Stronger into the fog and well on the bridle in the straight. Likely to jumpout on Thursday. |
Niminypiminy |
1000m (Steeple grass) 1:09.44 |
26.03 |
Steady from the off and controlled. Always under a hold and keen to go faster in the straight, this completed with ease. Nominated for the Open Mares over 1400m. |
Malibu Style |
1000m (Pro-Ride) 1:26.13 |
29.21 |
Maintenance gallop after his jumpout last Friday, completing this at three-quarter pace and consistent all the way. Nominated for the Heath Stakes over 1100m. |