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Dragonstone was the real eye-catcher while Sky Command did the work up front and both youngsters stamped themselves at Randwick on Saturday as horses that might be able to rise above winter form.

How far they can go remains to be seen.

Punter’s Intelligence sectional data revealed Dragonstone recorded the fastest last 600m of the meeting of 34.35 as he ran into second place in the ACY Securities Handicap (1100m).

That was about three lengths faster than the next best, which was Sky Command’s 34.81. Dragonstone had 16m to make up on the winner midrace and clocked 10.88 from the 400m-200m (two lengths better) and his last 200m was 11.99 as he tried to close the gap.

It’s worth noting that through the day it became apparent that making ground from well back was difficult and he had fresh ground to work with but he’s a horse with plenty of talent.

Let’s not take too much away from Sky Command, though, she led and still ran the second fastest last 600m so her effort is also noteworthy. Her last 200m of 12.09 was also second best in the race.

It was an all the way win in the TAB Highway (1400m) to From The Bush but the two standout runs came from runner-up Casino Kid and the winner’s stablemate Zoo Station (sixth).

Again both horses gave away significant starts, adding merit to their runs.

Both horses clocked a last 600m of 35.34. Casino Kid ran a race best 11.37 from the 400m-200m and 12.13 last 200m, it’ll be interesting to see where he heads as with 16 starts under his belt he’s eligible for next year’s Country Championships.

Zoo Station started her run well before Casino Kid, she clocked 11.61 from the 600m-400m to almost level up with Casino Kid at the top of the straight. So that explains why she couldn’t quite match him late, she ran 11.41 from the 400m-200m but felt it the last 200m (12.32).

There’s no doubt the win of the day came from Harpo Marx in the Schweppes Handicap (2000m) as he left everyone wondering whether he can make the step to the spring.

The gelding was as much as 28m off the lead around the 1400m mark so he had to produce something special to win and he did. His last 600m of 36.41 was six lengths faster than the next best.

His 400m-200m of 11.73 was just under three lengths faster than next best Montabot (12.18) and his last 200m of 12.58 was similarly dominant. It’s worth noting the ground became more testing as the meeting progressed and that’s reflected in the times.

Where he heads in the short term is up in the air as his benchmark has risen to 83.

Lancaster Bomber isn’t far off a win after another honest second-up performance in the Geohex Sprint (1100m) where he recorded easily the fastest last 600m of 36.11 in finishing second to Perigord.

After being shuffled back to second last he made a long run, posting 11.45 from the 600m-400m and a last 200m of 12.93 (about a length and a half faster than next best).

Fastest last 600m: Dragonstone 34.35

Watch Punter’s Intelligence with Ben Way, Brad Davidson and Paul Joice at 7pm on Tuesday on Sky Thoroughbred Central.

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