Championship Match-Ups
Published: 08 Apr 2021
Group 1 Bentley Australian Derby 2,400 metres
MONTEFILIA
3YO bay filly Kermadec (NZ) x Bana Wu (GB)
Star filly MONTEFILIA will look to become just the fifth filly in the last 70 years to win the Australian Derby after Shamrocker was the last to conquer the boys in 2011. The David Payne-trained daughter of Kermadec might have been beaten by SKY LAB in the G1 Rosehill Guineas, but she produced an eye-catching finish at what was only her second run this Autumn campaign. A wet track holds no fears and most importantly she is furnishing into an impressive-looking stayer. I was pleased to see a more robust filly in the yard following her summer break, a stronger type now that I am confident can atone for her VRC Oaks defeat in the Spring.
SKY LAB
3YO bay gelding Real Impact (Jpn) x Gold Mission
Standing in her way is the Paul Perry-trained son of Real Impact SKY LAB. The tough big-striding stayer keeps showing up every time he goes to the races and he gave Mo’unga a huge fright in the Rosehill Guineas after making a long sustained run. He is not dissimilar to MONTEFILIA in the yard, also progressing this campaign into a horse not lacking anything in terms of strength and athleticism. Everything he has done to date suggests the 2,400 metres should be ideal and it is hard to see him being out of the finish again.
Verdict: MONTEFILIA with progression third-up.
Group 1 Inglis Sires' 1,400 metres
ANAMOE
2YO bay or brown colt Street Boss (USA) x ANAMATO
Having lined up in Australia’s two biggest two-year old Group 1s so far this season, Godolphin will try again with star colt ANAMOE when he steps out in the Group 1 Inglis Sires on Saturday. Given his beautiful long stride and stout pedigree the performances over 1,200 metres this season have been seriously impressive, capped off by a booming 2nd in the Golden Slipper from an impossible position. James McDonald hops on the colt at what will be his 5th run into what has been a very consistent campaign. With the step to 1,400 metres such a big factor in his favour James McDonald looks set to capture his 50th Group 1 and ANAMOE a much-deserved first.
FOUR MOVES AHEAD
2YO chestnut filly Snitzel x Doulmera (USA)
John Sargeant saddles up four key chances on Saturday, none more prominent than his star filly FOUR MOVES AHEAD and she could well prove to be the one to run down. Coming through a tough Golden Slipper run where she was four weeks between runs on what was a testing surface, she looks set to return to her sensational best back at Randwick where she won the Sweet Embrace stakes. She is bred to run a mile so the 1,400 metres suits and from the barrier she is going to be in front of main danger ANAMOE for a long way.
Verdict: ANAMOE too strong rising in distance
by Adrian Sciglitano
