The Great Tip Off
Shangri La Express (Rosehill, R7, #1)
TRAINER: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
RACE: Up And Coming Stakes (Gr 3, 1300m)
After coming off the boil in the Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m), Shangri La Express (Alabama Express) is arguably the forgotten colt who could be the surprise packet of the spring.
It was an encouraging return to the track for this untapped three-year-old in the Rosebud (Listed, 1100m) a fortnight ago, battling on in the straight against the pattern of the day and with 60 kilograms on his back.
With fitness on his side and reunited with Tim Clark, all signs point to a big performance this Saturday in the Up And Coming Stakes.
Looking back to his juvenile form, the wraps on him were massive after destroying rivals at his first two starts in the Kirkham Plate (1000m) and $1 million Golden Gift (1100m).
This launched him into favouritism for the Golden Slipper and while the plans didn’t eventuate back then, it’s clear he has the talent and speed to dominate as he matures.
A $220,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Yulong Stud draft, Shangri La Express is in the capable hands of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing.
He is the second foal out of the winning Lonhro (Octagonal) mare Sent From Above, a daughter of quadruple stakes-winning mare Gamble Me (Rock Of Gibraltar).
With a pedigree like this, discount Shangri La Express at your own peril.
Rise At Dawn (Caulfield, R8, #13)
TRAINER: Ben, Will and JD Hayes
RACE: Heatherlie Stakes (Listed, 1700m)
What a middle-distance slugfest this is going to be, with some of the biggest stars of the winter going head-to-head against each other.
Rise At Dawn is one of those. This four-year-old son of Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) is set for his first try at black-type company after winning six out of his 11 career starts.
His front-running racing pattern has been a big factor in his success and the tight Caulfield circuit plays right into his wheelhouse this Saturday.
Michael Dee sticks in the saddle and the extra 100 metres in distance should pose no concerns with the large weight drop.
Bred by the Smithies family’s Monovale Holdings, Rise At Dawn was purchased by Lindsay Park for $90,000 at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
He has rewarded connections handsomely, amassing $371,335 in prize–money with plenty more success in their sights.
Rise At Dawn is a brother to last season’s Taranaki 2YO Classic (Gr 3, 1200m) placegetter Kay’s Ruebe, with their dam being the Newmarket Handicap (Listed, 1200m) winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Kay’s Awake (Towkay).
The family bloodline speaks to his ability and his impressive performances show he is living up to that heritage.
Perspiration (Rosehill, R6, #5)
TRAINER: Ciaron Maher
RACE: San Domenico Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m)
This three-year-old colt is out to a ridiculous price and is one to speak in the feature of the day at Rosehill.
After finishing second at his first two starts at Randwick and Caulfield, he destroyed his rivals in the $150,000 Mornington Sires (1200m).
Perspiration (Too Darn Hot) sat four and five deep during the race and still stormed home to gap rivals by over three lengths.
His form lines from that first campaign are starting to stand up and his recent trial was solid enough to indicate he could give this race a shake.
Purchased for $270,000 by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and Group 1 Bloodstock from the Rosari Farm draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Perspiration has a strong pedigree behind him.
He is a half-brother to The Reluctant Star (Epaulette), who was sold to Hong Kong after impressively winning his first two starts at Geelong and Flemington.
Perspiration’s dam, Latitude, a five-time winner by Casino Prince (Flying Spur), further strengthens his potential to excel on the track with a proven family background.
One to throw into the black book for the Spring Carnival ahead.
See more of Luke Hovhanesian at https://thegreattipoff.com/tipster/luke-hovhanesian/tips