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By Ray Hickson

An in-depth look at the chances of every runner in the Group 2 $1 million Yarraman Park Shorts (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

1. Private Eye (Joe Pride): Sat three and four deep and still finished too well to win this race last year, his latest victory. Of course he was placed in the Everest at his next start and connections no doubt covet another shot in a month’s time. He’d naturally need to perform in this race and on the evidence of his first-up performance he has come back very well. He wound up a lot further back than anticipated, even allowing for the 1000m trip, and in the context of the day to run fourth his performance was outstanding running 32.08 for his last 600m. Just needs a back to follow and he’ll be hard to hold out.

Private Eye (Pic: Bradley Photos)

2. Aft Cabin (James Cummings): Complete forgive run in the Concorde, he didn’t get a shot at them when he needed to and it’s a case of we’ll never know where he’d have finished. His trials leading into the first-up run suggested he’s firing so it’s worth giving him the benefit of the doubt. He has a similar problem to Private Eye with the barrier draw and where he finds himself but imagine if they are able to run on then he’ll get his chance.

3. Stefi Magnetica (Bjorn Baker): Hard to believe that prior to her Stradbroke win in June that her previous wins were at Wellington and Orange. The short course first-up with what looks to be a decent amount of pace engaged looks a nice set up for her to sit back and hit the line. Her recent trial suggests she’s come back in great style as she worked home to be beaten narrowly over the 1000m. There’s a good case for her to run well fresh, especially if they overdo it up front.

4. Mazu (Joe Pride): Arguably at his best on wet tracks, particularly when it’s heavy which he won’t get here. But he did win a Listed race on a good 4 at Randwick as a three-year-old and his last start before a break was a second in the Moreton Cup on a good 4 at Eagle Farm in June. His autumn and winter form was mixed so it’s a case of take on trust. On the plus side he’s trialled well on two occasions, though he was a bit reluctant to go to the stalls for a while, and has some early speed. Very hard to assess and be confident about.

5. Bandi’s Boy (Danny Williams): This is probably not the race we’ll see this gelding getting back into the winner’s stall but he can be expected to continue to improve. He didn’t fire first-up in the Show County but he did hit the line okay in the Concorde running the same last 600m as Private Eye did (32.08). In his favour this time in a softer gate so a midfield finish or better wouldn’t be a surprising result.

6. I Am Me (Ciaron Maher): Ran right up to some good support in the Concorde and took advantage of a perfect run as she hit the front and held off stablemate Bella Nipotina over the 1000m. Plenty in her favour again with a similar draw, James McDonald to ride, and she has only been beaten once at Randwick and twice at the 1100m. From a map perspective she’ll get a nice run again and should have every chance to repeat the result. She may be a little vulnerable if there’s a lot of pressure on to bring the backmarkers into it.

7. Lady Of Camelot (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): The Golden Slipper winner isn’t well placed at the weights here but she measured up well when resuming in the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley two weeks ago. Can’t work out where she’s going to land in the run, she’s led previously but can’t see her burning off those inside her without working overtime and her Slipper win was from just off the pace. Turns three by birthdate on Sunday, if she’s good enough to overcome a less than idea set up she deserves an Everest spot.

8. Coal Crusher (Joe Pride): He’d be getting ready to defend his title in The Hunter in two months so this is very much a starting point and it’s worth noting the blinkers are off. He has been competitive first-up in general and ran second in the Expressway fresh last time in. Only knows one way so he’ll be going forward from the wide gate, couldn’t have him as a winning chance here but interested to see how he comes up for his targets ahead.

9. Dragonstone (Joe Pride): Not disgraced when resuming in the Concorde beaten just over 3-1/2 lengths. He drew wide there so was back and off the track which on the day wasn’t conducive to being in the finish. So he’s run well. Draws a lot better here and is a consistent sprinter. May need some sting out to be most effective in this company and a midfield finish or thereabouts is expected.

I Am Me (Pic: Bradley Photos)

10. Our Kobison (Angela Davies): Ran out of his skin at his first attempt at Group level running second to Joliestar in the Show County after riding what was a fairly solid speed and holding everything else off. Kept on the fresh side, had an exhibition gallop between races last weeks, and comes up with a draw that should allow him an easy passage. It comes down to where he measures up. It’s so far so good and if he’s allowed to travel easily behind them and stalk he could find himself in the finish.

11. Way To The Stars (Matthew Smith): Gave an enormous sight when he resumed in the Concorde, kicking clear and looking hard to run down early in the straight. He paddled a bit late but was still able to hold third. That cost him nine ratings points and he’s worse off at the weights compared to I Am Me. But you know what you’re going to get with him, he’ll look to be right on the pace and we’ll see if he can back it up.

12. Mumbai Muse (Michael Freedman): Curious runner backing up after being claimed in the shadows by Sunshine In Paris in last week’s Sheraco Stakes. She’s clearly come back in good form this time in as it confirmed that her first-up run was a return to her best. Does no work from barrier one and might get a similar set up to last week back on the fence behind a good tempo. She’s been kept safe by the market and that’s wise given her racing style.

SPEED MAP: Way To The Stars is a noted leader and should take it up but there's potential for some pressure from Lady Of Camelot and Coal Crusher who have drawn alongside each other a bit wider out. Secondary speed from Mumbai Muse drawn one, I Am Me in two and Our Kobison and Mazu also putting themselves somewhere in that picture. Private Eye has been jumping well and probably looks to find the back of Coal Crusher and a tag home.

SELECTIONS:
1 PRIVATE EYE
2 Aft Cabin
3 Stefi Magnetica
6 I Am Me

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting