The 2023 renewal of The Goodwood has attracted a field of 17 with former winner Savatoxl coming into the race off a similar win.
He’s just one of two Group 1 winners in the field alongside cult hero Kementari.
Despite a three-year-old not having won the race since 2006, bookies rate smart colt Lofty Strike as the one to beat.
He’s one of two three-year-olds in the race with filly Royal Merchant being the other.
Here is a runner-by-runner analysis of every galloper set to line up in South Australia’s final Group 1 of the year.
1 – FRONT PAGE
Huge last time out in the Wagga Town Plate when covering a stack of ground but still having the audacity to only be beaten by the narrowest of margins. Showed his class at this level having finished 1-½ lengths off Roch ‘N’ Horse in last year’s Champions Sprint and if he gets a bit more luck on Saturday, Front Page should be in the mix.
Verdict: Can’t dismiss.
“It’s last year’s quinella, but this time a photo and a thriller.”
The @beermitchell trained Mnementh turns the tables on the gallant reigning #TheKosciuszko champ Front Page to win the $200,000 Town Plate at @mtcwagga with Ang Pow a close third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/9uDxNW5Apm
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) May 4, 2023
2 – KEMENTARI
Hasn’t won at this level in a very long time but has hardly put in a poor performance. While being considered a Group 1, this is a drop in class from what ‘Special K’ was up against in The Quokka last time out when performing OK.
Verdict: Certainly not the worst but will have to lift.
OVERPASS WINS THE $4 MILLION QUOKKA IN A PHOTO ???????? pic.twitter.com/N7TAKgNaP0
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) April 15, 2023
3 – SAVATOXL
Previous winner of The Goodwood and one of two Group 1 winners in the field having taken out the 2021 edition and trainer Will Savage has him back in winning form. Similar to that year, he’s won the Group 3 D C McKay Stakes in the lead up and the speed map suggests he can make his way across from barrier six to lead. This is tougher than what he beat last start and while he may not be going as good as when he won it a few years ago, there’s no Gytrash and Behemoth on Saturday.
Verdict: Good chance to win another.
He’s a ripper Savatoxl ????
He loves Morphettville and takes out another DC McKay Stakes ???? pic.twitter.com/UkLxm5sjzd
— Racing SA (@RacingSA) May 6, 2023
4 – KALLOS
Impossible to knock the form of Godolphin’s Kallos that has won all three starts this preparation, last time out in dominant fashion in the Irwin Stakes. However, he’s yet to prove himself at 1200m, having been unplaced at his two runs over the trip but he is drawn well to get every chance to see it out.
Verdict: Needs to run a strong 1200m but right form references.
Kallos sprints away with the Irwin!
Treble for Ben Melham in Adelaide today. ????@godolphin@BMelhampic.twitter.com/lhD31TvGZi
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) April 22, 2023
5 – CURRAN
Low flying this preparation having been an eye catcher first-up behind Kallos over 1000m before winning the Country Discovery at Geelong – the race that produced last year’s Goodwood winner in the form of Lombardo. Forgive run last time out behind Jigsaw when not finding much room in the straight and going to the line untested. In career best form and maps to get a cosy run midfield with Craig Newitt in the saddle.
Verdict: Great roughie.
“HEEERE COMES CURRAN!”
Curran flies home to take out the second edition of The Country Discovery ????@craig_newittpic.twitter.com/UXqXPRoCQ2
— Racing.com (@Racing) April 7, 2023
6 – FREE OF DEBT
Hasn’t run a place since his win in last year’s D C McKay Stakes with his best result a 3-1/4 length defeat behind Zac De Boss in an open handicap at Flemington. Also never run a place over this track and distance.
Verdict: Very hard to make a case for.
Free Of Debt!@domjock and @RacingCmb combine to salute in the McKay Stakes ???????? pic.twitter.com/xhFxYqbYVe
— Racing SA (@RacingSA) May 7, 2022
7 – ZAPATEO
The barrier draw did this mare no favours but class isn’t an issue. Similar to her last start effort in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes, she will most likely have to go back to the tail of the field and spot them a big start. Apart from the poor barrier, the Godolphin mare has a super record at the trip (7:3-2-1) and did give the handy Princess Grace wind burn earlier this prep.
Verdict: Can win but needs luck to go her way.
Zapateo cruises home to take the last ????
A treble for J-Mac @mcacajamezpic.twitter.com/SL1ApzJKtW
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) April 8, 2023
8 – SERADESS
Gave a sight last start at Group 1 level when leading in the Robert Sangster Stakes before being rounded up in the final 100m. This contest is arguably easier and with not a whole lot of early pressure on paper, Seradess can cross them from the wide alley and give a similar sight.
Verdict: Not the worst at a price.
RUTHLESS DAME WINS THE SANGSTER! ????
JOHN ALLEN GETS HIS 19TH GROUP 1. @cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/OevGibWwmF
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) May 6, 2023
9 – LOFTY STRIKE
Apart from his TJ Smith Stakes effort on a heavy track, this three-year-old colt is one of the form sprinters in the country. First-up he beat Uncommon James in the Rubiton before running second to that horse in the Oakleigh Plate and second again at In Secret’s Newmarket Handicap – I Wish I Win, Private Eye and Mazu were the three behind him. Yes, that was under handicap conditions but he’s treated well at the set weights and penalties and the form guide would suggest he’s a worthy favourite.
Verdict: Hardest to beat.
Lofty Strike is back and claims the Rubiton! @craig_newittpic.twitter.com/8GZp0D2k3O
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) February 11, 2023
10 – ZOUTORI
The Newmarket Handicap winner of 2021 that hasn’t won since but has consistently raced at the top level. He was just fair first-up behind Savatoxl but carried 62kg that day so he gets a decent weight swing on that horse.
Verdict: Has claims but does need to lift.
UPSET!
???? ZOUTORI WINS THE GROUP 1 NEWMARKET HANDICAP.
September Run thoughts? pic.twitter.com/T2un34UN9E
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) March 6, 2021
11 – GENERAL BEAU
Solid at his first two runs this campaign and should be ready to peak third-up on Saturday. Has a win over Anamoe on his resume as a two-year-old but in four tries at Group 1 level, he’s only managed one placing – that being when third to September Run in last year’s William Reid.
Verdict: Place chance at best.
“September Run she’s class.”
Chris Waller’s mare takes out the William Reid Stakes! pic.twitter.com/TKDXRA9p9M
— Racing.com (@Racing) March 25, 2022
12 – FRANKIE PINOT
Comes here in solid form and his only crack at Group 1 level was in this race last year when he was super from back in the field. Will be looking for a strong tempo and a bit of rain would help his chances.
Verdict: Hard to get enthused by but not the worst.
“Another Wangoom for Yendall.”
Outlaws Revenge takes out the Newmarket of the bush for @djbowmanracing & @Yendall21 ???? pic.twitter.com/t5QM5f1Afd
— Racing.com (@Racing) May 3, 2023
13 – NOT AN OPTION
A touch unlucky not to finish second at Mornington last time out when bumped at the 200m mark. Performed admirably in this race last year and a win over Cardinal Gem earlier in the preparation does read well for this.
Verdict: Can place.
“It’s the real Jigsaw today!”
Jigsaw returns to his best in the Listed Hareeba! ????@AldersonRacing@daniel_moorpic.twitter.com/5fKjpXL3uu
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) April 22, 2023
14 – LARIMER STREET
Went to a career high last start when pushing Savatoxl all the way in the D C McKay Stakes. This is another rise in class so he does need to improve again and it’s worth noting he was beaten close to seven lengths behind Kallos the start prior.
Verdict: Looks outclassed.
15 – MNEMENTH
Spoiled the party from Front Page in the Wagga Town Plate when going to a clear career peak. Mitch Beer has placed him well throughout his career and his 1200m record (19:8-4-0) is great. This is by far his toughest test to date though.
Verdict: Needs to improve yet again.
16 – ROYAL MERCHANT
She’s the lone filly in the race and the second three-year-old alongside Lofty Strike. Comes here off a strong win when beating the in form She Dances at Group 2 level at this track and distance.
Verdict: Needs to improve.
Royal Merchant gets there in the final bounds.
Michael Dee gets a four-timer at Morphettville! ????@cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/hnqvASrCca
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) May 6, 2023
17 – ANOTHER AWARD
Huge run last time out when going close to taking out the Robert Sangster Stakes at a big price. She was good again the start prior behind Kallos, has a great record at the track and trip (7:3-1-0) and gets her chance with a light weight.
Verdict: Not without a hope.
TIPS
1 – LOFTY STRIKE (9)
2 – ZAPATEO (7)
3 – SAVATOXL (3)
4 – FRONT PAGE (1)