Moonee Valley   09 Aug 2025
 
GOING: S

Drummond Golf Handicap 1200m

Track: Soft 6   Clear (Max: 15)   Rail: True Entire Circuit.  

Plenty of pace with Military Expert and Apache Song up front, pressured by Red Hot Nicc and Elouyou. GREAT MAXIMUS (4) is racing in good form of late and looks a strong hope. Fourth in a strong BM84 at Flemington two back, he hit the line strongly back to 1200m there last time behind La Fracas and De Bergerac, the latter of which has won since. Gets Zahra aboard now and will be hard to hold out with even luck. LUNA CAT (10) has been good her past two, coming through a strongly run race last start at Caulfield behind a handy quinella. Only needs to reproduce that to be fighting out the finish. APACHE SONG (1) ran in the G3 Bletchingly Stakes race first up when fading late. She's far better placed here and all her best form last campaign was at this track. ELOUYOU (2) has flopped his past two but is better than that and gets Damian Lane back aboard. Likely won't get a favoured wet track but has claims. NAMESAKE (7) has claims on best form and can be strong late. SUGGESTED PLAY: Great Maximus on top.
1 137x8 APACHE SONG
MICHAEL TROTTER
5YO  B/BR  MARE 60.0KG
D C Baker, P S Arrowsmith, M P Trotter, J C Paterson, Mrs J K Arrowsmith, T J Arrowsmith & Equine Immortality (Mgr: R J Stanaway)
Second-up. First-up after five months raced on the speed throughout before fading to run last of 8 at Caulfield in the G3 Bletchingly on July 26 over 1200m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Bridal Waltz with 56.5kg at $31. Previously second-up scored a big 4.5 len win at this track Mares Bm64 November 29 over 1200m defeating Thailess with 61kg at $3. Can be a sharp improver.
8
LUKE CARTWRIGHT
Sky Blue, Old Gold Sash And Cuffs, Red Cap
2 01100 ELOUYOU
SCOTT CAMERON
6YO  BAY  GELDING 60.0KG
C Sita
Comes off a 35 day let-up. Last start 12th of 14 at Rosehill Bm88 on July 5 over 1200m, slow going 6 len behind Cloudland with 59kg at $6.50. The race before that sat on the pace before fading second last of 12 at Sandown-Hillside Bm100 on May 24 over 1400m, 11 len behind Magnaspin with 53kg at $4.20. Better placed here. Best form goes close, wary with Lane back on.
5
DAMIAN LANE
Pink, Black Braces And Cap
3 0x090 MILITARY EXPERT
GAVIN BEDGGOOD
7YO  BAY  GELDING 59.0KG
C Bennett, Flying Start No.15, 4551 Racing, Mrs K J Lamond, N G Lamond, G THornberry, K S Anderson, One Job, W B Nicoll, Battle Ready Racing, Mrs L Robertson, Bootleggers, J Speak, S F Joughin, A N Woff & ANR Military Expert
Most recently second last of 11 at Mildura Mildura Cup on July 18 over 1400m, 6 len behind Harmonious Senora with 54.5kg at $8. The race before that 9th of 13 at Sandown-Hillside Hcp on June 14 over 1400m, 6 len behind Hughes with 54kg at $91. Not going well enough.
11
J MOTT
White, Flying Start Syndications Logo, Black And Teal Checked Sleeves, Quartered Cap
4 31143 GREAT MAXIMUS
RICHARD & CHANTELLE JOLLY
5YO  BAY  GELDING 59.0KG
R Jolly, J Bechara, P Ninnis, Mrs P Southern-Ninnis, W Butterfield, R Smith, C Clarke, D Cooper, A Campanelli, R Ferrett, R L Mullarvey, M McGinnis, J Dunn, D Mckinnon, Cleveland Racing, It's Under the Bonnet Son, Divine Syn, Triple-G Racing, The Booligans & Two Fine Men
Form hard to fault. At the latest run 3rd of 12 at Flemington Bm84 on July 19 over 1200m, slow going 1.0 len behind La Fracas with 59kg at $16. The run before that ran on from midfield; 4th of 13 at Flemington Bm84-Qlty on June 21 over 1420m, 0.9 len behind Cafe Millenium with 59kg at $14. Going well and maps for every chance.
3
M J ZAHRA
Blue, Pink Fleur De Lys, Yellow Sleeves
5 20x07 RED HOT NICC
PHILLIP STOKES
7YO  BAY  GELDING 59.0KG
Wylie Dalziel Roy Higgins, Dr S Chua, Dr J Canty, Dr A Simm, Dr B Litherland, S Alexander, M Mackenzie, L Hives, Mrs J Titmarsh, J Yusi, N McInnes, D Skilton, Four Brothers (Mgr S Dyson), Wild Westerners (Mgr Mrs B Bourke), P Merryfull, D Mcphee, Snow Road Thoroughbreds (Mgr G Mcnulty) & G Tuthill
Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up 12th of 14 at Sandown-Hillside Bm84 on June 14 over 1000m, 5.5 len behind Chinqui carrying 60.5kg at $26. Second-up 7th of 12 at Flemington Bm84 on July 19 over 1200m, slow going 3.5 len behind La Fracas carrying 60kg at $21. Prefer to see him back in form.
13
THOMAS STOCKDALE
White, Royal Blue Spots, Royal Blue And White Spots Sleeves And Cap
6 x2876 TWIN PERFECTION
PHILLIP STOKES
7YO  CHESTNUT  GELDING 59.0KG
Regal Bloodstock (Mgr: M Burckhardt), R Pezzano, S Fordham, Twin Peaks Racing (Mgr: M Burckhardt), A Sinclair, B Meyer, Power Pack Racing, C Tartaglia, Mrs D Hill, D Mortison, D Taylor, D Cheney, J Habib, Z Lahood, P Silva, Leggatt Racing, G Gilsenan, M Scott, TTM Syndicate & Bluey's Bella Racing
Last start second last of 7 at Morphettville Hcp on July 26 over 1050m, on rain affected going; 9 len behind Lingani carrying 54kg at $3.60. Before that sat on the speed throughout before fading second last of 8 at Flemington Hcp on June 21 over 1100m, 5 len behind Marble Nine carrying 54kg at $26. Could sneak a placing.
10
LACHLAN NEINDORF
Emerald Green, Gold Epaulettes, Regal Bloodstock Logo, Armbands And Pom Pom
7 16178 NAMESAKE
CIARON MAHER
5YO  CHESTNUT  GELDING 58.0KG
Belsin Thoroughbreds, D J Meredith, Gleneagles Stud Pty Ltd, Three B A, S W Bruhn, Mrs L J Bruhn, Mrs J Caminiti, W R Glynn, D W Lilley, Mrs S Lilley, Classic Quest No.3, W M Parker, P K & A W Racing, Ms L G Sinclair, Singpitt Racing & Coco's Crew
Last start eased back early on 8th of 10 at Caulfield Bm78 on July 26 over 1100m, slow going 2.5 len behind Pop Award carrying 59.5kg at $21. The race before that 7th of 14 at Flemington Bm84 on June 7 over 1200m, slow going 4 len behind Marble Nine with 56.5kg at $6.50. Tricky draw but in the mix.
12
LOGAN BATES
Orange, Black Seams, White Sleeves, Black Cap
8 4210x ZONDEE
M, W & J HAWKES
5YO  BAY  GELDING 58.0KG
Glentree Racing (Mgr: B W C Wilson)
First-up. Finished off last campaign tenth of 16 at Randwick Bm88 February 15 over 1600m, 7 len behind Yorkshire carrying 56.5kg at $14. First up last campaign seventh of 11 at Rosehill Cg&E Bm78 August 17 over 1400m, soft track; 1.5 len behind Roma Avenue carrying 59kg at $10. Will take great benefit from this run.
2
JYE MCNEIL
Aqua, Pale Blue Diamonds And Diamond Armbands
9 0x000 FREAK OF NATURE
JASON WARREN
5YO  CHESTNUT  GELDING 56.0KG
J Warren, N Gopaul, M R Pollard, Bash Boys (Mgr: P Gadsden), A Bucknell, Ms N Gill, B Gately, Mrs S Benson, B Macdonald, B Alexander, S Benson & Ms K E A Warren
Last start ran last of 12 at Flemington Bm84 on July 19 over 1200m, slow going 8 len behind La Fracas with 57.5kg at $31. The start before that ran last of 15 at Caulfield Bm78 on July 12 over 1400m, slow going 10 len behind Home Rule carrying 58.5kg at $26. Looking to others.
1
JETT STANLEY
Yellow And Navy Blue Stripes, Stars Cap
10 10743 LUNA CAT
BEN, WILL & JD HAYES
7YO  CHESTNUT  MARE 56.0KG
EST T Payne, Racing As One (Mgr: J R Davies), Mrs K E Keizer, M C P Racing (Mgr: N J Monaghan), L A Noronha, J Staker, D C Van Raay & Leviathan Racing (Mgr: M Talbot)
Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 10 at Caulfield Bm78 on July 26 over 1100m, slow going 0.7 len behind Pop Award with 59kg at $16. Before that 4th of 10 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm78 on July 9 over 1200m, slow going 2.25 len behind The Shaper with 59.5kg at $14. Big chance on the last start effort.
7
ETHAN BROWN
Yellow, Black Checks, Lime Green Sleeves, Black Armbands, Lime Green Cap
11 86821 LAYERUPONLAYER
MATTHEW SMERDON
7YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
Price Bloodstock Management Ltd (Mgr: Ms J G Chapman) & M R Smerdon
Form hard to fault. Most recently favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a neck at Morphettville Parks Bm76 July 19 over 1250m on a rain affected track defeating Metrical with 57kg at $3.50. The race before that came from midfield; 2nd of 15 at Murray Bridge Cg&E Bm68 on July 12 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Classy Kenny with 61kg at $7. Can figure.
4
RYAN HOUSTON
Royal Blue, White And Red Band, White Sleeves, Royal Blue And Red Armbands, Quartered Cap
12 30510 THE SHAPER
ANTHONY & SAM FREEDMAN
5YO  CHESTNUT  GELDING 54.0KG
McEnnis Racing Pty Ltd, J C E Hetrel, C Christopoulos, R P Cocks, N P Kutcher, J R Rawlinson, J B Bongiorno, Tussocks Racing, J Jacobs & N M Oates
Most recently 13th of 16 at Flemington Bm74 on August 2 over 1200m, 8 len behind De Bergerac with 58kg at $11. Before that won by 1.3 len at Sandown-Lakeside Bm78 July 9 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating One Long Day with 52.5kg at $4.60. Rough hope.
9
MICHAEL DEE
White, Red Vee, Hooped Sleeves, Red Cap, White Hoops
13 x9x33 SESSIONS ROAD
M, W & J HAWKES
9YO  BAY  GELDING 54.0KG
Madden Bloodstock (Mgr: C H Madden)
Dual acceptor. Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 3rd of 14 at Flemington Bm84 on June 7 over 1200m, slow going 2 len behind Marble Nine carrying 54kg at $15. Last start 3rd of 10 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm78 on July 9 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.3 len behind The Shaper carrying 57kg at $11. Not far away last start. Should be thereabouts.
15
Green And Pink Checks, Purple Halves, Green Cap
14 11x66 NAVAL ACADEMY
CIARON MAHER
5YO  BROWN  GELDING 54.0KG
R McClure & Mrs B M McClure
Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 6th of 10 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm78 on July 9 over 1200m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind The Shaper with 57kg at $3.60. Second run from a spell 6th of 10 at Caulfield Bm78 on July 26 over 1100m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Pop Award carrying 57kg at $9.50. Possible improver.
6
JAMIE MELHAM
Black, Lime Green Sleeves And Cap
15 x0240 EUGENIUS
SHANE NICHOLS
5YO  BAY  GELDING 54.0KG
P B Warren, D Dobe, P J Farrell, S Foxwell, D Healy, P O'Neil & R Fletcher
Last start second last of 13 at Caulfield Bm84 on July 26 over 1400m, slow going 7 len behind Windstorm with 54kg at $7.50. Before that made some head-way from midfield; 4th of 13 at Sandown-Hillside Bm70 on July 16 over 1300m, on a slow track; 0.6 len behind Vienna Vixen carrying 56.5kg at $4.60. Minor chance.
13
LAUREN BURKE
Maroon, Gold Stars Band, White Sleeves With Gold Seams, Gold Star Cap