Racing: $221k Tatt's Cup a step up for Military Move

The possible problem for Military Move today is his 58kg topweight.

Trainer Shaune Ritchie is well aware warhorse Military Move has to step up to win today's A$205,000 ($221,000) Tattersall's Cup at Eagle Farm. But there is no nervousness about that.

Ritchie is not overawed that Military Move has to step up from the opposition he overcame to win the Toowoomba Cup last start.

"This is a different class of horse for sure, but they tell me here that the horses that can handle Toowoomba are difficult to beat, so his win under 59.5kg is perhaps a bit better than it looked." The possible problem for Military Move today is his 58kg topweight, but Ritchie knows he has a tough horse and that this race could come down to toughness.

"The Oaks winner Tinto is obviously going to be hard to beat, but the one I really rate is Pretty Pins, who has been running good races in top fields." Pretty Pins finished two lengths away in the Chairman's Handicap at Doomben and 1.8 lengths from the winner in the Premier's Cup on the same track before finishing fourth in the Brisbane Cup.

Matamata trainer Wayne Hillis has Perfect Start in the Tatt's Cup, but her form on the Queensland campaign has been just average.

Trainer Jason Bridgman is semi-confident about the prospects of class filly Costa Viva in today's A$505,000 Tatt's Tiara. "She has had no luck whatever in her two starts in Australia," says Bridgman of his group one-winning filly.

Costa Viva's efforts in the Gold Coast Guineas and the Queensland Guineas deserve better than a 4th and 9th recording. She drew barriers No 12 and No 14 respectively and did extremely well on both occasions.

"The problem is again that she's drawn gate No 13 and she's going to need luck. If she gets it she can be right in it. She's done really well since she last raced."

I Do (No 1, R8) is the bet of the day in the $50,000 Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic. She is ideally placed in the weights, handles bad ground well and with a draw wider than mid-field she will be out wide on the home bend where winners will need to be at Tauranga today.

I Do is better than most of the opposition and you can always trust rider Jonathan Riddell to ride the correct tactical race.

Schrodingers Cat (No8, R1) is not a bad way to start the day. He has not raced since late last year, but he recently won a barrier trial over a decent field, so he is ready for this. The Bouncer (No1) and Edward The Eighth (No7) are the dangers.

Dance (No7, R2) has drawn No 1 barrier and that might not be ideal, even early in the programme. It will be up to Danielle Johnson to get her off the inside before the home bend. If she manages that she should be difficult to beat. Jesshanimo (No2) is very close to a win and Anaheim (No6) is right in the race.

Mike Breslin doesn't travel his horses unless he thinks they can win and Salamanca (No1, R3) makes a lot of appeal after two good seconds this campaign. He has finished strongly in both those starts and the 200m step up to 1400m this time should suit ideally. Tricky field. Lamason (No5) looked good winning on debut.

Aaja Nachle (No13, R4) has looked unlucky not to have won at least one of her three starts this preparation. She finished second on each of those and could go one better. She steps up a couple of grades but drops back from 58.5kg to 54kg. Tough field with Mighty Matt (No2), Ginja Ninja (No4) and Vibrant Moss (No12) all strong chances.

Addictive Habit (No7, R6) is very good and on the way up. His winning run at Ellerslie two starts back was stylish and you can forget his beaten performance at Wanganui last start. Look for something much better here. Wanabefamous (No7) is stepping up in class, but that is not a reason to ignore him and Matost (No5) is the tote breaker.

Kapsboy (No4, R7) will love the heavy track. He is also a winner at Tauranga. Chill Bill (No2) is smart.

Irish Heartbeat (No10, R9) will be a lot fitter for her first-up run and is an upset chance in the last.