His trainer-driver Michael Stanley, now based at Menangle, has focused on the Vic Bred Series and has put together a formidable team.
Sao Paolo Simba was drawn in the second row, but not long after the start Stanley moved through the field, pulling away from his stablemate Coastal Drive, driven by Luke McCarthy.
New Shuffle who had some support didn’t have much luck outside of the leader.
Sao Paolo Simba, who has brilliant speed, managed to complete his last two quarters in 27 and 26.9 seconds, proving too fast for his rivals.
Coastal Drive finished well for second place, while New Shuffle battled through for third place.
Sao Paolo Simba recorded a sparkling 1.48.9 to win at Menangle four starts back and if he finds the lead in the final he will be tough to beat.
The second round was closed in style by Calexico (Lather Up). The race was decided at the start when Calexico was able to hold on to his rivals from pole and comfortably maintain the lead. Driver Damian Wilson kept up the pace with great danger. It’s Confidential went wide early before racing outside the leader.
From then on Calexico never got into trouble again and he always had the measure of It’s Confidential who fought bravely for second place with Pick Up Elvis who had some support in third place.
After a promising start to the season, Calexico seemed to be struggling, but his last two wins in Melton show he is back in form.
CALEXICO REPETITION NOV 7
Impressive colt Storms Collide (The Storm Inside) put on a flawless display of front running to take out the third Heat. In a race where the lead changed several times, Storms Collide was able to sail into the lead while his biggest danger, stablemate Captain Perfect, caught the leader racing outside.
South Australian Derby winner Forty Love secured the one out and one back trail.
Storms Collide, who had won a heat of the Victoria Derby, was never under much pressure, even as Captain Perfect continued to battle. At the finish Storms Collide had just under five meters to spare on Forty Love, who left Captain Perfect in third. Storms Collide ran its last quarter in 26.7 seconds for a kilometer speed of 1.56.8.
Scratching favorite Cigano in the fourth heat made it an open race, but there was a spectacular dive on Zenario (Sportswriter) and he rightly landed with a powerful finish.
James Herbertson couldn’t get off Start to Gogh, so he sent Zenario right back and Ruffnut came off the fence to give him some cover. Ruffnut continued to pressure Starting to Gogh and he found the lead. But Zenario was saved for one last run and on the home straight he came away to beat a brave Ruffnut with Ollies The Boss in third.
Zenario is trained by Shaun and Jason McNulty and has now won five of his ten appearances. He will face a tougher task in the Final, but he shows enough skill to acquit himself against better opposition.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
#Favorites #prevail #Vic #Breds #threeyearold #colts #geldings