Imported 3-year-olds to test local turfites

THAT extended sprint for imported three-year-old maidens on Monday, will give local turfites a searching test in finding the winner. From the field of 11 entrants for the 1350 metres race worth $10,500 to the winning owner, at least eight can past the post first. There is a lot to like about Sky Storm Rising who has been showing much  sparkle in his gallops, and the son of Storm Creek/Raise A Prince will have the benefit of leading apprentice Sheldon Rodrigo in the irons meaning a two kilo claim from his allotted 56.5.

But another to catch the eye at gallops is Alert The Ship, the mount of veteran rider Haniff Emamalie from the in-form Kenneth de Silva jr stable. Also holding the engagement are This Cat Is Back, a Tabasco Cat/Renew The Dream colt who was noted running in his debut start here last weekend. And Florida Fame has also been going quite well at gallops, only on Good Friday morning covering 1000 metres in the good time of 1.04.28 seconds, and along with Not This Time, who will have champion jockey Brian Harding astride and must be respected because of this.

Gray Warrior is a consistent sort and this one comes from the powerful John O’Brien barn. Not much can be said for Soul Asylum, Cyber Five and Speak The Truth, while Stonebright is an unknown sort, having his first race on a local track.