4/10/2002 edition

Defier too Good for Sunline

Defier was far too good for Sunline last Saturday in the $330,000 Group 1 Weight for Age George Main Stakes at Randwick. Defier is undefeated this time in with three wins straight and now has a record of eight wins and four seconds from only 18 starts.

Sunline had every chance to win. Greg Childs led on her, set a slow pace and truned the 1600 metres race into a sprint home. Sunline, who started at $3.20, weakened into third, beaten well over a length by both Defier and Excellerator. Sunline will most likely not win the Cox Plate this year. The 7YO mare may even be lucky to finish in the top three. That will depend on the field - at present it looks like being very classy - the track conditions and barrier draws.

Excellerator's run was excellent considering he got well back in a slowly run race. The 4YO gelding was only beaten a long neck by Defier.

The short $2.40 favourite, the John Hawkes' trained Lonhro, finished fourth, beaten over two lengths by Defier. Darren Beadman had Lonhro in a bad position a long way out. From barrier two he was fourth, trapped on the rails, with nowhere to go in the field of six. That is also where he stayed in the straight, unable to get a clear run.

Sure, Lonhro was unlucky. But $2.40 was also big unders for a horse that needs everything to go right. The 4YO horse usually gets back in his races and those horses, no matter how good, need extra luck to win compared with on pace runners.

This edition of Punt to Win:
Betting in 2YO races
Is Sunline back?
Handicapping tips - weight and class
Money talks - Randwick plunge horses
Money talks - Moonee Valley plunge horses
Money talks - Doomben plunge horses
Future winners - unlucky horses
Punt to Win 27/9/2002
Punt to Win index

Betting packages

Back Tote Longshots?

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