The Black Cloud always gave the impression she would return improved in her second preparation, and she knuckled down hard late to score in the Benchmark 78 event over 1000m.
Her win had merit after she raced wide and fresh in the moderate tempo, with Punter’s Intelligence recording her sectional strength.
Once the filly balanced up in the straight, she accelerated, running one of the meeting’s fastest 400m-200m splits in 11.24.
Further, she ran solid overall time relative to the day after adjustments in 58.71 and has come in on a strong base figure. Expect her only to step off this effort and a rise in trip is ideal.
Mogo Magic was suited, but he was brave in defeat after always facing the breeze after a long break.
Amnesty was a flashing light run, clocking 23.37 for her final 400m. She will be fitter for that.
Testator Silens ran the race’s third-fastest final 600m in 34.68 and looks in for a strong prep.
Casual Connection kept finding under pressure to win the Benchmark 78 over 2400m, but Quantum Cat caught the eye.
The lightly raced import has continued progressing this campaign, and he was entirely unsuited to the race shape.
He made up significant ground and ran the meeting’s fastest final 600m in 34.41. Follow him.
Awesome Wonder had genuine excuses and was 30-days between runs. She ran one of the day’s fastest final 400m splits in 23.13.
Konasana bounced back into the winner’s stall when saluting in the 1400m Benchmark 78 event.
She had every chance, built momentum, and went to the line full of running, clocking the meeting’s fastest final 200m in 11.62.
Missy Moola had all favours but sprinted hard first-up and ran the equal fastest 400m-200m sectional in 11.09.
Bakerloo has gone to a new level this campaign and made it back-to-back wins in the Midway Handicap (1400m).
The three-year-old was well-ridden but absorbed the pressure and clocked 1:24.22 for her overall time, approximately 5 lengths quicker than the Benchmark 72 (1400m) and 8 lengths faster than another direct comparison being the final event over 1400m.
She can gradually step up in grade and be ultra-competitive.
November Falls‘ effort was full of merit after leading up her rivals at a fast pace and kept fighting to the line to finish second.
Further, even after setting the pace, the mare still ran the race’s second-fastest final 200m in 12.34. She is now at optimal fitness and ready to break through for a win in this prep.
A quick mention of Bestower, whose effort was hidden in the 1800m assignment at Benchmark 72 level.
She was forced to be restrained from a tricky draw, raced wide, and wasn’t suited to the farcically run race.
To her credit, she built momentum and reeled off the meeting’s eighth-fastest final 200m in 11.93. She has improved since the blinkers went on and can settle closer with a softer draw.
Fastest last 600m: Quantum Cat 34.41
Watch Punter’s Intelligence at 7pm on Tuesdays on Sky Thoroughbred Central.
