A return to winning form by Politeness in the Group 3 $150,000 William Hill Sprint Series Heat 2 Stakes (1200m) Caulfield today will see the mare head towards the Group 1 Myer Classic.
Politeness, white cap, holds of the fast finishnig Griante, black and gold, to win the Sprint Series Heat 2 Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Winning trainer Robert Smerdon was pleased to see Politeness return to the winner’s stall after a long run of outs and will now prepare her for the Group 1 $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on October 31.
“She is a talented mare we certainly would like to get a Group 1 with her,” Smerdon said.
“I think the 1400m of the Tristarc in a couple of week and then we will head forward and probably end up in the Myer Classic to give her that Group 1 mares opportunity.”
The Group 2 $200,000 Schweppes Tristarc Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield on October 17 will be Politeness’ next outing on her way to the Myer Classic.
Smerdon was expecting a first class effort from Politeness today and when she started to do perform her pre-race routine, his confidence grew.
“Her coat is great, her general condition is great and then she started doing that stupid pig rooting routine she goes through, so I was happy then because if she hadn’t done it until he got on her so if she doesn’t do that you get a bit worried.”
“She come off a tough Autumn, she didn’t have long off but she had a really trouble free prep. Everything she has done has pleased us so we came here thinking she was there to run really well.”
“She had run well fresh and she had run well here before.”
Winning rider Mark Zahra settled back near the tail of the field and was always caught wide on Politeness ($8) from barrier thirteen but the Street Sense mare was happy to be out trouble and stormed home down the outside to hold out the strong finish of Griante ($12) who came from last on the home turn.
Third placegetter Jessy Belle ($13) also made up plenty of ground from the back wwith the $4 favourite Vesalay finishing a close up fourth.
Sprint Series Heat 2 Stakes results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | POLITENESS | Robert Smerdon | Mark Zahra | – | 13 | 57kg | $8 |
| 2 | 4 | GRIANTE | David Brideoake | Steven Arnold | 0.2L | 11 | 57kg | $12 |
| 3 | 10 | JESSY BELLE | Luke Oliver | Damian Lane | 0.7L | 8 | 55kg | $13 |
| 4 | 14 | VEZALAY | Leon & Troy Corstens | Damien Oliver | 0.9L | 10 | 55kg | $4F |
| 5 | 3 | ATLANTIS DREAM (NZ) | Darren Weir | Brad Rawiller | 1.1L | 6 | 58kg | $31 |
| 6 | 15 | SATYA | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | James Winks | 1.4L | 7 | 55kg | $41 |
| 7 | 1 | HAZARD | Lee & Anthony Freedman | Ben Melham | 1.5L | 14 | 58kg | $6 |
| 8 | 6 | GIRL GUIDE | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Craig Williams | 1.6L | 9 | 57kg | $18 |
| 9 | 13 | FORGERESS | Quinton Scott | Ms Jackie Beriman (a) | 1.7L | 5 | 55kg | $81 |
| 10 | 12 | SCARLET BILLOWS | Darren Weir | Chris Parnham | 2.95L | 2 | 55kg | $51 |
| 11 | 11 | LESLEY’S CHOICE | Toby Edmonds | Craig Newitt | 3.05L | 3 | 55kg | $10 |
| 12 | 9 | WRITTEN DASH | Danny Curran | Dean Yendall | 4.05L | 1 | 57kg | $101 |
| 13 | 2 | WAWAIL | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Michael Walker | 4.25L | 4 | 58kg | $9 |
| 14 | 7 | TYCOON TARA | Symon Wilde | Luke Currie | 4.55L | 12 | 57kg | $7.50 |
