Menari Stages Stand Out Performance In A Day Of Fast Times At Rosehill

Facing a challenging task from his outside barrier (nine), jockey Josh Parr elected to use Menari’s pace and as a result, the colt was forced to ‘do it’ at both ends of the race.
But the stylish colt was well up to the task, demonstrating his quality with a decisive win in a time of 1:08.59, which was only 0.20 seconds outside of All Our Mob’s (What A Guest) 1200 metres track record of 1:08.39, which has stood since March 1997.

After crossing to initially race outside the leader Perast (Snitzel), Menari then tracked that Paul Perry-trained colt in a race that saw the first 600 metres covered in a fast 34.91 (from the barrier).
Menari got the better of Perast at the 200 metres, but was then a sitting shot for the San Domenico Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) winner Pariah (Redoute’s Choice), who had enjoyed an ideal trip back in third place.
But Menari showed his quality by safely holding that talented colt at bay before going on to score quite comfortably by a length and a half with Perast holding on for third, a further length and a half back, after running a bold race.
Menari’s sectional times were most impressive.
Clocked from the 1000 metre point, Menari returned 200 metre sections of 10.79, 11.00 (400m in 21.79), 11.17 (600m in 32.96), 10.83 (800m in 43.79) with his last 200 metres in 11.29 to give him a fast final 1000 metres time of 55.08.
An impressive first up winner of The Rosebud (Listed, 1100m) on 12 August, Menari is now unbeaten in two starts this preparation and he is now the firm $2.40 favourite for Saturday week’s Golden Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m).
Outside of the placegetters, one to take the eye was the effort of the Queensland-trained three-year-old gelding Shogun Sun (Written Tycoon) who came from last at the home turn to finish (3.4 lengths) fifth.
Shogun Sun returned outstanding closing sectional times with his last 1000 metres in 54.77, last 800 metres in 43.79, last 600 metres in 32.90 with his final 400 metres in 21.94.
The Kelly Schweida-trained colt ran on in a fashion to suggest he will be suited by longer distances and Shogun Sun looks capable of being effective in quality three-year-old races this spring, judging by Saturday’s performance.
And while Menari was the stand out effort, especially from a Golden Rose Stakes perspective, another colt, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Gold Standard (Sebring) staked his claims for that race with a very smart effort in winning the Stan Fox Stakes (Gr 2, 1500m).
Gold Standard was quickly away and went to the front before easing after a mid-race challenge from The Mission (Choisir) and then raced in second place before going to the front shortly after turning for home.
He then maintained a clear advantage to score impressively by just under two lengths in a time of 1:28.46 (11.79 200m rate), equivalent to 1600 metres in 1:34.35.
Gold Standard also ran fast sectional times, with his last 1200 metres in 1:08.80, last 1000 metres in 57.27, last 800 metres in 45.52, last 600 metres in 33.99, with his final 400 metres in 22.45.
It was only his fourth race start and the progressive colt now goes into the Golden Rose Stakes somewhat underrated at $11 in the early betting considering Saturday’s excellent performance.
In the Theo Marks Stakes (Gr 2, 1300m) the fast Rosehill course saw the Gerald Ryan-trained five-year-old gelding Deploy (Fastnet Rock) establish a track record for the 1300 metres journey with a strong front-running display.
Deploy maintained a clear advantage throughout before scoring by four lengths in a time of 1:14.92 (11.52 200m rate), equivalent to 1400 metres in 1:20.68.
A highly consistent sprinter,it was Deploy’s eighth win (with six placings) and his third success at Group level, from 16 starts to date.
The runner-up was the dual Oaks winning filly of last season, Egg Tart (Sebring) who also staged an excellent performance in coming from the tail of the field at her first run this preparation over a distance well short of her best.
Egg Tart was timed to run her last 1000 metres in 55.26, last 800 metres in 44.20, last 600 metres in 33.14 and last 400 metres in 22.07, looking primed for a very good spring.
In the following race, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained mare Ravi (Redoute’s Choice) staged a very smart first up effort in taking out the Sheraco Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m).
Racing more closely to the pace than previously, Ravi had a good trip in fourth place, tracking a steady early pace (first 600m in 35.62) before dashing clear to win easily by two lengths in what looked a career best performance for the promising mare.
Ravi was timed to run her final 1000 metres 55.41, last 800 metres in 44.63, last 600 metres in 33.28 with her final 400 metres in 21.75.
One who took the eye, running on from last in the 13-horse field to finish (3.3 lengths) sixth, was the Chris Waller-trained mare Omei Sword (High Chaparral), who was having her second run this preparation.
Omei Sword produced brilliant closing sectional times with her last 1000 metres in 55.31, last 800 metres in 44.30, last 600 metres in 32.90 with her final 400 metres in 21.77.
A runner-up in the 2016 Golden Rose Stakes, Omei Sword is a quality mare with Group One potential and Saturday’s effort suggests she is now approaching peak form.