Aaron Mills’ top three to follow from Belmont

Tom Baddock - Monday October 9

The first of Perth’s Group I races is still seven weeks away so I’ve identified some fit horses that should be winning sooner rather than later.

Advertisement

SOVEREIGN TRADE
Sure, he only broke his maiden at his sixth attempt on Saturday but the manner of the victory suggests there’s scope to work through the grades. After a moderate first-up effort Sovereign Trade stepped up to the more suitable 1400m trip, relishing a solid tempo up front to unleash a dominant finishing burst from worse than midfield to have a big field covered halfway down the straight. Outside of the sprints his final 600m sectional was the best of the day to add further merit to the victory. Trainer Bernie Miller said after the race there’s "another twenty percent” before he is the full package so there looks to be plenty more to come from Sovereign Trade this time in work. There’s often one or two that start building the picket fence around this time of the season so let’s stick strong with Sovereign Trade in the coming weeks.
Career record (6:1-1-1)
Race to look for – Midweek or Saturday restricted race 1400m and beyond

JUST LIKE FIRE
The racing Gods showed how fickle they can be with the three runners to follow from this column two weeks ago all starting in the market on Saturday and being beaten convincingly, although a closer look at the circumstances surrounding Just Like Fire’s effort suggests we shouldn’t be dropping off now. On face value the Oaks and Derby cheque-earner was disappointing as she struggled into a distant fourth however the race simply wasn’t run to suit. Just Like Fire struggled to keep up in a solidly-run 1400m race where the leader carved out the first 800m in 48 seconds and change, finding herself a long way off the top rounding the turn, yet returned closing sectionals similar to impressive winner Star Value which settled much closer in the run. Surely now it’s time to see Just Like Fire’s staying prowess come to the fore by stepping the mare up to a more suitable journey.
Career record (14:3-0-3)
Race to look for – Benchmark 62+ 1800m on October 21

UNDISCLOSED
At the double-figure odds she looked one of the best roughies on Saturday and supporters would be feeling they left something in the bag after her luckless display. Beaten nine and three lengths, respectively, in her first two starts since resuming, many might have thought the winner of three races hadn’t come up this time in work but with blinkers off and the prospect of being ridden cold in the big field said she was capable of improvement. Indeed, the daughter of Alfred Nobel ended up well back and looking at a wall of horses on the turn, getting badly held up until the 150m mark and rocketing to the line late to finish fourth. She’s a winner at Ascot so there shouldn’t be many concerns about the switch to that track, especially early in the season when the rail is in and making ground from back in the field is possible.
Career record (8:3-0-0)
Race to look for – Benchmark 62+ 1000-1200m

Advertisment
More Reading...
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).