The $1m The Bondi is here for some of the best three-year-olds in the country, let’s take a look at each and every runner lining up!
1. Hilal (6) – $2.70
Jockey – Tommy Berry
Trainer – M, W, & J Hawkes
This guy was the most luckless two-year-old last season, and was disappointing in his first few runs this prep, and as a result, didn’t head to the Caulfield Guineas. However, he bounced back last outing in the Stan Fox Stakes, and looks the one to beat here.
Hilal wears down the favourite Coastwatch in the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes! @TommyBerry21 @HawkesRacing @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/FY8POzMndT
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 9, 2021
2. Coastwatch (9) – $3.40
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy
Trainer – Chris Waller
Has been rock solid this preparation and is certainly a major player here. However, I’m not totally convinced he will run out a solid mile as well as Hilal, and as a result, we’re against him here.
3. Royalzel (8) – $9.50
Jockey – Jason Collett
Trainer – Gary Portelli
Enormous win in the Dulcify Stakes, but was very disappointing in the Golden Rose and is difficult to side with here after that effort.
4. Cotehele (2) – $6.50
Jockey – Sam Clipperton
Trainer – John O’Shea
Won well first up at Goulburn before boxing on well enough behind Hilal and Coastwatch in the Stan Fox Stakes last time out. May lack the brilliance of some, but is bred to get the mile, and can be included in multiples.
"He will get a lovely run in behind the speed and he can show that turn of foot he has.”
The $1m Bondi Stakes is no two horse race according to John O'Shea and will tweak Cotehele's pattern for Saturday's 1600m event. 📸 @Bradley_Photos
READ: https://t.co/onD4KjzF9X pic.twitter.com/IqA8uxhQi6
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) October 21, 2021
5. Akihiro (7) – Scratched
6. Arnaqueur (4) – $16
Jockey – J V Overmeire
Trainer – Jean Dubois
Coming back from the 1800m trip in the Gloaming Stakes where it didn’t look like he loved stretching out over that much ground. Should be suited back to the mile, and you can include in exotics.
7. Dufrense (10) – $11
Jockey – Josh Parr
Trainer – Anthony Cummings
Broke its maiden in style at Rosehill against a handy type in Antonio Giovanni. This is obviously an enormous step up, but looks progressive enough, and this race isn’t exactly stacked with A-Graders. Should be somewhere in the finish.
8. Keefy (3) – $21
Jockey – Jay Ford
Trainer – Brad Widdup
Brings an interesting line of form, but a failure over 1800m at Toowoomba hardly looks the ideal leadup for this. No thanks.
9. Lease (1) – $51
Jockey – Tim Clark
Trainer – Anthony Cummings
Has drawn the inside marble but doesn’t have a heap of early speed, may be back and buried on the rail. Price is about right.
10. Reginald (5) – $126
Jockey – Alysha Collett
Trainer – Anthony Cummings
Price tells the tale. Has none.
Final Word
This popup race hasn’t attracted any superstars as they’re all aimed towards the Caulfield Guineas or pressing onto a Cox Plate like Anamoe and Captivant.
Nevertheless, Hilal has started to blossom into the spring three-year-old that we thought he would, and this setup looks the perfect opportunity to bank some cash for connections. He looks very tough to beat, and should be winning this.
Best The Bondi Tip: 1. Hilal – Win $2.75
There is plenty more Group One racing happening this weekend! If you want to check out our Runner-By-Runner analysis for Friday night’s Manikato Stakes, click here!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our Cox Plate page for all your punting needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of Sportsbet.
