The runner-by-runner guide to the $1,000,000 Bondi is ready to go thanks the Punter’s Prince.
He is targeting a last-start winner to continue their winning ways.
#1 Hilal
M, W & J Hawkes
A big winner of the Stan Fox Stakes last start when outdoing Coastwatch in a tight finish.
Loved his sustained speed and acceleration when asked for the supreme effort.
He was running away from his rivals in that race and had put another length or two on Coastwatch at least 100 metres after the post.
He is only going to be better stepping up to the mile and is a clear on top selection.
Odds: $2.45 the win and $1.3 the place.
Finishing position: First
#2 Coastwatch
Chris Waller
Had the perfect suck-run behind the leaders in the Stan Fox on his home track at Rosehill as a $1.95 favourite, but failed to hold out Hilal.
He started a much shorter price than Hilal but could not match it with him in the concluding stages.
Not sure where he ends up from barrier nine with the speed map looking quite awkward for him.
He might be caught three wide with no cover.
Odds: $3 the win and $1.35 the place.
Finishing position: Third
#3 Royalzel
Gary Portelli
Lacks the class and power of Hilal and Coastwatch.
He finished down the track in the Golden Rose and has had nearly a month off from that race to get ready for this.
Have him in the top five, but there is a big question on his fitness having missed a run compared to the two favourites.
Odds: $8 the win and $2.45 the place
Finishing position: Fifth
#4 Cotehele
JOhn O'Shea
Still looks to have plenty of improvement into this preparation.
Was only second-up last start when finishing just under three lengths behind Coastwatch and Hilal.
His sire, Tavistock, is a well-known staying sire, so the extra 100 metres in this race should see him improve again.
Not sure he requires the sharpness and dash to win at the mile just yet and would prefer to see him at the 2000-metre range, but he will be running home late in the race..
Odds: $6 the win and $2.15 the place.
Finishing position: Fourth
#6 Arnaqueur
Jean Van Dubois
The distance is no problem here.
The only issue he faces is that ability to zip along as quickly as Hilal and the other pure 1400-metre horses and milers in this race.
Big price, but not his race.
Odds: $14 the win and $3.8 the place.
Finishing position: Sixth
#7 Dufresne
Anthony CUmmings
A real eye-catching maiden win over 1500 metres and brings a completely different form line into this race that looks very strong.
Looks a really progressive type of miler who will likely take up the lead from the wide barrier.
Josh Parr is the type of jockey who can ride leaders right on the line of bravery and madness.
Think he will open up a sizeable margin and could get these horses chasing him from a long way out.
Odds: $8.5 the win and $2.5 the place
Finishing position:Second
#8 Keefy
Brad Widdup
Had has every possible chance to win weaker races in Queensland, but has failed to do so.
Connections do not really give us much confidence either.
Odds: $18 the win and $4.4 the place
Finishing position: Eighth
#9 Lease
anthony cummings
Raced in a small field on a heavy track at the provincial circuit last start and could only finish second in a field of six.
Looks a better dry-track horse than he does a wet-track galloper, so the drying track might see him firm in the market.
Still looks a long shot.
Odds: $41 the win and $7.5 the place.
Finishing position: Seventh
#10 Reginald
anthony cummings
Yet to win a race.
Has not done enough in maiden grade to suggest he can score an upset here.
Odds: $101 the win and $21 the place
Finishing position: Last
#11 Ingratiating
james cummings
The blinkers went on in the Danehill Stakes and he went abysmally.
The stewards report mentioned that he showed no abnormalities.
James Cummings would not have backed him up if he was not going well at the stables.
He will probably get the run of the race from barrier seven, which gives him a chance, but is unlikely mount a winning challenge.
Odds: $5 the win and $2 the place
Finishing position: Sixth
#12 Sneaky five
ciaron maher & dave eustace
Surprised the market and her stable when scooting home up the middle of the Caulfield home straight to win the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes.
She did not run an amazing time, but she will come on from the run after missing a heap of racing prior to that effort.
The filly also boasts a very impressive debut at Moonee Valley which proves she can handle the tight-turning track.
Top five chance if she finds an extra two to three lengths as we expect her to do with race fitness now on her side.
Odds: $8 the win and $2.60 the place
Finishing position: Fifth
#13 crystal bound
ciaron maher & dave eustace
Was beaten by her less-fancied stablemate Sneaky Five despite having the fitness advantage and enjoying a run much closer to the lead.
Had every chance to win at Caulfield, but failed to hold out the swooping runners.
Group 1 Weight-for-Age is probably a little too soon for her at the moment and there look to be much stronger and faster horses than her here.
Odds: $12 the win and $3.60 the place
Finishing position: Seventh
