GOLD COAST PREVIEW May 8, 2010 HOLLINDALE STAKES (WFA 1800M) Race 7, 3.50pm (Qld time) Not matter which angle I look at this year’s G2 Hollindale Stakes (wfa, 1800m) at the Gold Coast, I come up with the same result – Road To Rock should win. Even the likelihood of a heavy track doesn’t diminish Road To Rock’s chances – his heavy track form is exemplary, having won the 2008 Listed Carbine Club Stakes (1600m, Randwick) on a bog, and in 2009 he finished third in the G1 Epsom Handicap (1600m, Randwick) on a heavy track. Road To Rock, who has emerged this year as a genuine Group 1 horse, comes off a very soft win in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (wfa 2000m) at Randwick two weeks ago, and this came after an outstanding second behind Rangirangdoo in the G1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m, Randwick). A great form line for this. Two of the past four winners of the Hollindale have had their lead-up runs in the Queen Elizabeth, and neither horse – Coalesce (2007) and Above Deck (2006) – could win at Randwick (both finished fifth). Three horses have completed the QE and Hollindale double, and all three are champions – Might And Power (1998), Durbridge (1994) and Rough Habit (1992). Road To Rock certainly isn’t a champion, but he won’t need to be to beat this field. Road To Rock loses nothing from the loss of suspended jockey Damien Oliver, as his replacement Stathi Katsidis is riding as well as anyone in Australia. I think the in-form mares Gold
Water and Pagan Princess – they comes from similar form lines – are the dangers to Road To Rock. Gold Water is yet to prove she can win in this class beyond 1600m, but she is in great form, and she will track the speed, which always is an advantage around the Southport track. That speed will be set by the noted mudlark Rockdale, who showed a sign of form with a last-start second behind Rothera in the Listed Members’ Hcp (1600m, Eagle Farm) on a heavy track. Pagan Princess is a mare on the rise. Her last start fifth behind Sacred Choice (Gold Water was second) was a beauty; with any sort of clear running in the straight, she would have won the race. Wherever Gold Water finishes, Pagan Princess won’t be far away; in fact, she will be better suited by the 1800m of the Hollindale. The interesting runner is the former Argentinean, Snapy Halo. His past two runs – from four in Australia – suggest he is right up to winning a decent race in his new country. Last time out, he was beaten only 2.8 lengths in finishing sixth behind Rangirangdoo in the G1 Doncaster Handicap. He’s a Group 1 winner in Argentina at weightfor-age over 1600m. The biggest worry for him is the likely wet track and the fact all his wins have been between 1000m and 1600m. Metal Bender only needs to find the form of the autumn 2009, when he won the G1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) and G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m). He has had two runs from a spell for new trainer Chris Waller. I expect he isn’t far from starting to show his best. The tips: Road To Rock, a stand-out bet, to beat Gold Water, Pagan Princcess and Metal Bender.
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AND ALSO There’s a whole lot more than the Hollindale to tomorrow’s Gold Coast meeting, with the G3 Gold Coast Guineas (at the non-Guineas distance of 1200m) and with the Prime Minister’s Cup (at the non-Cup distance of 1300m) just one of four Listed races luring quality runners. Mark Zahra, hot at Warrnambool, has packed his gumboots to ride softtrack specialist Mr Bar itone for Mike Moroney in the PM’s Cup. Mr B will find his favoured surface after dropping back in class and distance from the Sydney G1s, the Ryder (1500m) and the All Aged (1400m). He’s always thereabouts, so the $5 on offer is about the mark. The Guineas go is the filly Deer Valley ($6.50). She had good Sydney form before failing (with excuses) on this track at the Magic Millions meeting, then her first-up second was encouraging two weeks back. And Jimmy Byrne is no hindrance. And Also gave Common Objective another chance at Hawkesbury last Saturday, but he was run down at 1600m. That’s it for him. Over 2000m at Rosehill, switch to Vision And Power – he would only have to regain some of his old spark to make the $7.50 a steal in the Lord Mayor’s Cup. Remember, a year ago he was on a Group 1 run. At Flemington, there’s no Luke Nolen so And Also can’t stay on the MoodyNolen bandwagon. Why not jump in the Warrnambool wagon Robert Smerdon is driving? Try Beyon d Pardon ($5.50, R3) and/or Per sian Star ($3.10, R6). Stephen Howell