Bound for Black Type
Published: 22 May 2021
Bred to be strong - Blue-blood Maranoa never gave them a chance at Wagga Wagga
Mounting yard analyst Adrian Sciglitano has had a look at the 2,000 metre race for three-year-olds today (Race 6), a stepping stone for young stayers on their way to Queensland for the Derby or Oaks.
Maranoa
3yo bay gelding | SNITZEL x FAINT PERFUME
Gai Waterhouse knows what it takes to get a horse ready for a tilt at a Queensland Derby and she looks to have unearthed another staying talent in the form of blue-blood gelding Maranoa. A son of champion sire Snitzel and the 2009 VRC Oaks winner Faint Perfume (by Zabeel), he is bred on a cross that should give him the speed and stamina to relish the Rosehill 2,000 metres. After bursting onto the scene with a dominant maiden win, he was narrowly beaten second-up before proving too strong again last start in the MTC Guineas over the mile at Wagga. I was really impressed with him that day, an on-pacer that shows the speed, grit, and determination we have come to know and love from the Waterhouse-Bott yard. A Queensland Derby start is well within his reach.
Green Flash
3yo bay colt | REDOUTE'S CHOICE x TOP CUBAN
This colt has been slowly progressing through his grades this preparation and was last seen running a late-closing 2nd behind subsequent black-type winner Grace and Harmony over the mile. His athletic build and strength late in his races suggest the step up in distance will suit, but he is bred from speed bloodlines on his dam side and the four week freshen into this race does have me worried. I am not one to second-guess champion trainer Chris Waller though! One to watch in the mounting yard before deciding if he is bound for black type this campaign.
Quiet Michael (NZ)
3yo bay gelding | CONTRIBUTER (IRE) x MOJAVE ASTER (NZ)
The former Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman trained gelding now in the care of Chris Waller and he is finally getting some luck after a run of outs across the Tasman. Bred from Zabeel mare Mojave Aster and Group One winner Contributer, this athletic gelding looks well-placed stepping up to the 2,000 metres. The win at Hawkesbury as a $1.55 favourite was good against the bias on wet ground and Chris Waller holds him in high enough regard to line up against stablemate Green Flash. I have got no doubts he has got the stamina, but I just want to see him accelerate on the drier track today before labelling him as a Group One Derby contender.
Daqiansweet Junior (NZ)
3yo bay or brown gelding | SWEET ORANGE (USA) x PAULETTE (NZ)
Unlike the Australian horses above, this NZ-bred son of Sweet Orange (USA) is already proven over 2,000 metres. Interestingly he is a Kiwi that seems to like firmer tracks and it is impossible not to take notice of a horse that accelerates like he did to win by 7.5 lengths a few starts ago. If the track does dry out to a ‘good 4’ the Baker/Forsman stable confidence will only build, but Rory Hutchings has a big job to find the right run from barrier 16.
Rebel Rama
3yo bay filly | DISSIDENT x MOSSARAMA (MOSSMAN)
There are a few Queensland Oaks contenders in the race too and this filly caught my eye more than the others. While she is not bred to be a stayer, she presents like one in the yard with a robust frame and solid toned muscle front to back. I love the way she has improved from 1,600 metres to 1,850 metres in recent starts, finding the line well over the final furlong each time. There could be more in the tank as she steps up in distance again. A definite Oaks contender at big odds.
The Verdict – Maranoa the one to beat and Rebel Rama worth a bet at odds.
Click here for the Rosehill Gardens Race 6 Race Guide.