pulled hard in rear, headway 9th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, weakening when hung left and blundered 3 out
with leader, led 2nd to 7th, not fluent 9th, soon weakened
led to 2nd, prominent to 6th, soon behind
held up, headway 7th, led going well 2 out, mistake last, hard ridden flat, headed post
In this six-runner affair, we will side with Dr Cerullo ahead of Sir Brastias and Before The Mast. Dr Cerullo has run well when being placed in each of his last three starts from today's mark and, even though the handicapper has not seen fit to drop his mark, rates as a competitive player today, in our view. Atahuelpa is well weighted based on his winning 2004 form and, much as he has not shown that much of late, a good run is not ruled out following a break. Winning chaser Sir Brastias - and he is on a winning mark from that sphere - cleared his lungs with an August run and it would be no surprise to see him go well. That same comment applies to Exstoto, who was rated at 112 three years ago and it would not be a surprise to see his canny yard bring him here fit. Storm Prince was placed off a mark of 107 back in 2004 (he's now rated 98), but he has not been seen for 821 days. Finally, Before The Mast holds placed form from around his current rating so has also to be given some thought. Pick the bones out of that little lot, then. Overall, we will side with Dr Cerullo.
