Greetings all!I make my triumphant return this fine evening after a hiatus of sorts (prison food really isn't as bad as popular culture would have you believe...), excitedly anticipating the return of some quality gallopers as they strive for a share in the rapidly approaching mid-summer/autumn riches. I'll be posting my comprehensive early preview of the 2012 Blue Diamond Stakes tomorrow afternoon, but first, here are a trio of horses that I've got my eye on for the autumn:MOMENT OF CHANGEThis

Greetings all!

I make my triumphant return this fine evening after a hiatus of sorts (prison food really isn't as bad as popular culture would have you believe...), excitedly anticipating the return of some quality gallopers as they strive for a share in the rapidly approaching mid-summer/autumn riches. I'll be posting my comprehensive early preview of the 2012 Blue Diamond Stakes tomorrow afternoon, but first, here are a trio of horses that I've got my eye on for the autumn:


MOMENT OF CHANGE
This 3yo looked extremely good in his pair of spring appearances, and I think Peter Moody did the right thing for the horse's future in bypassing the Caulfield Guineas. The son of Barely A Moment strolled home on debut at Murtoa, destroying a moderate field by 10L. Impressive wins are commonplace when Moody juveniles step out for their first race start in the country, but it was the commanding nature of his next outing that suggests Moment Of Change has the makings of a top-liner. Over 1300m at Sandown, Linda Meech again led the field before slipping clear to win by 3.8L with ridiculous ease, leaving subsequent Caulfield winner and stakes-competitive Meethaq wallowing in his wake. Moment Of Change was barely asked for an effort that day and he most certainly appears 'untapped'. The trainer cited maturity issues when opting to bypass the Guineas, but the autumn version of that race should be firmly on the agenda this preparation. A most exciting prospect.

MANAWANUI
It doesn't take a genius to recognise the immense talent within Manawanui, but I think he can emerge as a genuine weight-for-age force in the spring. Indeed, Ron Leemon's gelding is my very early tip for the Cox Plate. Though he didn't quite stay the journey of the Derby, his run in the AAMI Vase was ultra-impressive (albeit against a poor field), and based on that performance I think he could have given Pinker Pinker's Cox Plate a shake with no weight on his back. Connections will take aim at Australia's weight-for-age championship this year, however, and so they should, as this horse definitely possesses the turn of foot required to win at the highest level. Leemon has indicated that Manawanui will have only a light autumn, with the Cox Plate the only real aim for the year. Despite not being set for the autumn, he sprints so well fresh that I'll be backing him anyway...

METALLURGICAL
Perhaps an odd choice given he has failed to win a stakes race from 5 attempts, but this beautifully-bred son of Redoute's Choice (out of Lady Capel) has been getting better and better with age. The $2,200,000 purchase showed only moderate ability in his first couple of campaigns but really started to hit his straps last winter, running a trio of slashing seconds in stakes grade in Queensland before running an ENORMOUS race in the G2 Salinger Stakes during the spring carnival. He finished 4th behind Sister Madly - beaten 1L - but never really saw daylight and couldn't unleash his big sprint. On that performance, Metallurgical would have to come into contention in some of the feature autumn sprints (the one's Black Caviar isn't contesting, of course). I'm not sure what plans John Thompson has for this galloper (or even if he'll be campaigning this autumn), but the 5yo's style of racing looks very much suited to the Flemington straight. Perhaps a Newmarket Handicap isn't out of the question? Definitely worth a speculative wager in early markets if he shows up...

Others to follow this autumn are STREAMA (class filly), SOFT SAND (could be anything!) and the desperately unlucky Victoria Derby runner-up INDUNA (should he follow the AJC Derby trail). I will be posting weekly from here on in so be sure to check in regularly!