By Ainsley Walters, Staff ReporterSATISFIER, a short-head loser against TOCUMEN after being slowly away at 1200 metres in his last race, should tag Shane Ellis-ridden WITHALLMYHEART in the 1300-metre New Year's Day Trophy.
Regular rider Ameth Robles will have to get SATISFIER away early to race just off speedy WITHALLMYHEART down the backstretch before pouncing up the lane with his strong finish.
Wayne DaCosta's WITHALLMYHEART was soundly beaten by SATISFIER when the Philip Feanny-trained gelding was just held by TOCUMEN but she was coming off a six-month lay-up then. She returned to run a stout race on Boxing Day, duelling another speedster, COURT CASE, before L.S.C CHOICE ran past both half-furlong out at 1400 metres.
With no matching speed in the event, WITHALLMYHEART will try stealing the race from in front. However, It must be noted none of her three victories were under 1400 metres, suggesting she really prefers a relaxed backstretch pace to be effective.
SATISFIER has been nicely sharpened by Feanny to go after WITHALLMYHEART. On Boxing Day morning the gelding galloped 59.3 for five furlongs on the round course, a snappy blowout to have him tracking the filly's every move into the lane.
Once he tracks WITHALLMYHEART into the lane, strong Robles should have SATISFIER running at the filly from a furlong-and-a-half out, enough time for the gelding to reel her in before the wire intervenes.
Percy Hussey's FROMRUSSIAWITHLOVE looks all set to win the 2200-metre CTL Fan Appreciation Day Trophy, the first race of the newly-created class, Open Allowance, which has replaced Starter Handicap I and II.
Small Starter Handicap fields, most of which lacked betting interest, led to a merger of the two classes. The Fan Appreciation Trophy, however, has fallen into FROMRUSSIAWITHLOVE's lap.
It's not the Derby runner-up's fault why he'll start howling favourite, it's just that other eligible runners were kept in their stalls. Regular rider Charles Hussey will be aboard.
Other firm fancies on the 10-race programme which gets underway at 12.30 p.m. are BIG BELLY SAM in the second, MOLTEN LAVA in the fifth, MAHOGANY in the sixth and SLEWPY'S VALLEY in the 10th and final at 5 p.m.
