Multizen on course for repeat
Tony Millard's Multizen finally notched his first success with a commanding win on his last start and the promising son of Bigstone should take all the beating again tonight in the 2,000-metre feature.
Interestingly, Multizen's win came on the C+3 course, which is the same configuration the turf races will be held on this evening. While there is no argument that he defeated inferior opposition over 1,800 metres, the ease with which he blew away his rivals by 3.25 lengths, along with the step up in trip, suggest he can score again. Anton Marcus, who rode the five-year-old for the first time on that occasion, is on board again tonight.
The form of Multizen's win has been boosted by subsequent successes for Me And You and Fortune Glory, who dead-heated for fifth place behind him, and Zabette (ninth), who reopposes tonight. Even with an eight-pound pull in the weights, Zabette is unlikely to turn around the form but, along with The Rich Man and Fat Choy Together, he should ensure the pace of the race is genuine without being overly fast.
The main danger to Multizen is New Planet, who is bidding for a hat-trick following two tenacious victories this season. The son of Chief's Crown looked in need of 1,800 metres last time when he battled on to beat Aspiration and, while this is his first crack at 2,000 metres, based on that effort he should see out the journey. Top weight and the awkward draw are going to make it a difficult task, though, and he appears to be more of a quinella chance.
Victory Drum's last win rating was 62, so he remains competitively handicapped off a mark of 61. The wide draw does not help matters, but he is likely to settle a little further back than most and does meet New Planet four pounds better in the handicap for a neck defeat. With Douglas Whyte on board again, he is one for the shortlist.
Round The World is an interesting runner, as he clearly appreciated the step up to a mile when he scored earlier this season but then appeared a fraction one-paced over the same trip on his last start. He is an unknown quantity over this journey, but he is likely to get a good run from a beneficial draw and should be kept safe.
The highly consistent Explosive Power is another likely to get a good run and he, too, will be making the step up to 2,000 metres for the first time. There is more doubt over whether he will see out the journey, particularly with plenty of on-pace runners involved in this event. However, he is a reliable sort and could still fill a minor placing.
Specific Sorceror showed considerable improvement last time when third to Empire Court and the first-time blinkers tonight look exactly what he needs. A similar effort to last time would ensure he would figure in the finish, but he may have been a little flattered by his finishing position as it may have been tempo-related.
Cyber Gulch ran with merit last time when finishing off strongly against the sedate tempo, but he has proved to be a little more effective at Happy Valley. Malayan Pearl is not showing enough to warrant closer attention, while Strategic Move is more than capable on his day but is most unreliable. Of the remainder, not enough has been seen of High Hill Forest to make a solid assessment, while Tremendous Way is likely to get a little too far out of his ground as usual.
Graphic: S2000glo
