Bart Sinclair's Preview - Country Finals Raceday
Punting consensus dictates “speed machines” should be averted on heavy tracks but Zoustyle may be an exemption to the accepted rule.
The track for the TAB George Moore Stakes at Doomben on Saturday rests on the lead-up weather in the crucial last 48 hours. It will be rain affected but how badly is unknown.
On ground good to soft Zoustyle has proven himself a high class sprinter capable of sustained speed. While he is comfortable reeling off ultra-fast 200 metres splits his opposition usually are revving hard to stay in touch.
If Zoustyle strikes a heavy 9-10 range track there will be some supporters ready to jump ship.
But a close examination of his efforts on soft tracks indicate his ability to quickly impose himself on good quality opposition is not severely diminished. He has been successful in three of four runs on soft ground and there were legitimate excuses for the one defeat.
When Zoustyle won a 900 metres dash at the Gold Coast in mid-September he led easily and swept home in a sizzling closing 600 metres of 32.34 seconds. That’s motoring!
The lightly raced six-year-old goes to 1200 metres for the first time in over two years when he has largely been laid up with injuries. Worth noting is he is unbeaten at the distance at Doomben in three starts.
The strongest opposition may come from a stablemate. Baller has been a revelation in the past six months and he completes a powerful two pronged attack for top trainer Tony Gollan.
Baller’s winter form was outstanding and there was much to like about his first up effort when a flashing third to Tambo’s Mate over the same track and distance three weeks ago.
Like Zoustyle, Baller has no established racing performance on heavy ground.
The Listed Mode Stakes should generate spirited betting on the final race of a mammoth ten event card.
Rhapsody Rose is rated the early favorite at $3.60 but three other fillies are priced at $8.50 and shorter.
Stellar Magic is race-hardened if the conditions are testing and she was impressive in finishing fifth at the Sunshine Coast a fortnight ago.
In that 1000 metres sprint Stellar Magic was taken back to near last to overcome a wide gate and she was still more than six lengths off the leader at the home turn.
Her work in the last 250 metres was exceptional. It was encouragement for her task of stepping up to 1200 metres which she has tried just once and was unplaced behind Rhapsody Rose at Doomben in May before spelling.