G2 J.J LISTON STAKES 1400M

[Tubby]

<table border="1"><caption align="top"> Spring is in the air.

$200,000 G2 J.J LISTON STAKES 1400M</caption> <tbody> <tr> <td>Horse </td> <td>Trainer</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Above Deck</td> <td>Jim Conlan</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Activation(NZ)</td> <td>Graeme Rogerson</td> </tr> <tr> <td>De Beers(NZ)</td> <td>David Hayes</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Lad of the Manor(NZ)</td> <td>Roger Hoysted</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Maybe Better</td> <td>Brian Mayfield-Smith</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mind Your Head</td> <td>John Ledger</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Minson</td> <td>Michael Hibbs</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Our Smoking Joe</td> <td>Lee Freedman</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Pompeii Ruler</td> <td>Mick Price</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Red Dazzler</td> <td>Mick Price</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Serenade Rose</td> <td>Lee Freedman</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Show Barry</td> <td>John Rattle</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Spinney</td> <td>John Hawkes</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tawqeet(USA)</td> <td>David Hayes</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Thin And Crispy</td> <td>Peter G Moody</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Victory Sweep</td> <td>Peter Healey</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Zigotto</td> <td>Barry Barnes</td></tr></tbody></table>
Looks like an interesting race. I be interested in hearing opinions on who forum members think might win.

Personally I really liked Thin and Crispy's last run.

[Chuck]

Wow. what a race

Above Deck - I think Above Deck will be one of the stars of the spring...should come home well but should be too short

Activation - too short...i never liked it anyway

De Beers - should come home well depending how he handles the track

Lad of the Manor - My winner...won this 1st up last year...an okay last prep without wining...6 starts at Caulfield and never missed a place...5: 2-1-2 over the 1400... should handle the weight

Maybe Better - outstanding last start just blew them away....rise in class maybe a place chance

Mind Your Head - beaten 7 lengths Minson last start...don't think so

Minson - excellent last start, 1400m suits, will be down in weight...never lost a race so no problems there....good chance

Our Smoking Joe - just a warm up for him....a lot of people are expecting a lot but i don't see much happening for him in the spring

Pompeii Ruler - good last prep in the lower grades, can't see him finishing close

Red Dazzler - inconsistent horse, you never know what you will get, good run 2nd to Minson last start maybe a place

Serenade Rose - She will be one of the big standouts this season, expect a bold showing here

Show Barry - no

Spinney - very good in melbourne last prep, very quiet trial, could be a chance with the right run

Tawqeet - i don't know much about this one but i know big things are expected...wait for longer races but this should give an indication

Thin And Crispy - not up to this class but could improve

Victory Sweep - see above

Zigotto - and again

[umrum]

I'll be looking at Lad of the Manor, Minson, Thin and Crispy and Spinney.

There should be good value.

[Horse Whisperer]

Thin & Crispy

Also chuck you say you dont think its up to these, i think it proved it was after its last campaign. Finished very close in some very good quality races. Never got a look untill the last 50m last time, snort had a 10times easier run and beat it by a nose. The extra distance is gunna suit to a tee and after it beat serenade rose over this distance last time in it has to be considered. Especially seeing as though alot of these horses are first up.

[Rudolph]

Maybe Better for me. Followed him since his debut, and has come back briliantly. Would have liked to see him step up to 1600m this run(he is also nom for the 1600 event) but his 1400m win last start was very strong.
Having the 2 runs back might just give him an advantage over some of these.

[Filante]

Minson is clearly the top pick, with the run under his belt and D Oliver going on. Lad of the Manor is the danger.