AMANDA PULLS OUT HER MAJOR TRUMP CARD FOR THE DERBY

Reichenbach Falls and Sectum Sempra have been pencilled in as possible triple crown runners for master trainer Amanda O'Brien. When asked about how she thinks Reichenbach Falls will go in the Derby she responded "I think that Falls will be a strong contender for the TC given his pedigree being out of the top sire Troll Tower and a G1 winning World Record holding dam, so he has the potential on paper to be speedy enough for the 10f races whilst having the lungs to get the Belmont distances." Reichenbach Falls will have his lead up runs in the Florida and Santa Anita's Derbies. Sectum Sempra will race in all the same lead up races as Fallsy except for the Kentucky Derby, unless he improves his form over the shorter distances.

Reichenbach's main rivals seem to be Autharky and Believer, both top class colts who have dominated the 2yo dirt races. Beauty Queen is also one not to be ignored especially if she runs against the colts. When I asked what races she had in mind for Fallsy if he wins or races very well in the triple crown races she responded "the breeders cup classic will be his ultimate aim but we'll take it race by race and if he did manage to do well in the TC races he would earn a rest for a while before maybe going for a few races against the older horses". She has also mentioned the Breeders Cup Endurance as a possible goal for Sectum Sempra as he is a dyed in the wool stayer. But be warned punters, Amanda has said that if her horses don't perform in lead up races they won't race in the main event".

O'Brien will also have runners in the English classics, with the big Johar colt Moriaty and perhaps Sign Of Four lining up in the Derby and Perfecta in the Oaks. Moriaty was a promising second in the G3 Pilgrim Stakes over 1800m at Belmont as a 2yo and should handle the extra distance. Perfecta and Sign Of Four have both shown promise and will appreciate the extra ground.

Meanwhile, the Group 2 winning colt New Moon On Monday while resume in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on week 5. He should be hard to beat while in this class.

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Honest stayer WinWinWin will start off his preparation for the Melbourne Cup this week with a run in a $30,000 Open Handicap over a mile at Victoria Park. Kayll said he was happy with his preparation say he had filled out nicely since his last run when he won the Group 3 WA St Leger in Perth. "He's coming along nicely and he well and truly gets the two miles so I'd like to give him a go at the Melbourne Cup" he said. "He'll go onto the G3 Kingston Town (2000m) on the 11th of Feb and then either the G1 Metropolitan Handicap (2600m) or the G2 Winning Edge Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield before the Melbourne Cup."

COULD SWAIN'S GOLD FINISH THE HEATS BUSINESS?

Swain's Gold has been among the 34 3rd acceptances overnight for the Kentucky Derby. The half brother to Heat Seeker is trained by newcomer Tia of Circle F Farms and she is quietly optimistic about her horses chances."I picked up Swain's Gold at the auction from Huttons. I thought $25,500 was a very good price and he has more than earnt that back, more than all of that in one go with his second in the G2 KY Jockey Club. He prefers turf but he is more then capable on dirt and he seems to like the Downs so we might be going to the Derby. We'll see. We will probably be starting him off in Japan in Feb." Swain's Gold is currently $51 for the Derby.

Another possible runner is Tia's original horse Copablanca. "His Dam of Sire is Winning Colors and his mother's no slouch either so I figured he'd be a decent runner. Being that Rev was "older" I needed someone younger to balance and being 2 he fit the bill perfectly. He's got a 2-3 peak and wants distance even though he can't quite hold it yet; his stamina IS improving, though, so there's hope. He pulled an 85 PSR back in November which knocked my socks off. Yeah, there's hope alright. His first start of 2012 will be in the Holy Bull at Gulfstream." Copablanca is currently $151 for the Derby.

Tia also has a very promising sprinter in Enigma, another purchase from Hutton's Horse Haven. "Enigma is our Super Sprinter. Another Hutton Hotty, he ran very nicely last season and it's hoped that he will continue that momentum. He'll be starting in a very low level at Shenandoah in late January - mostly as he finished his last start injured and I want to play it safe. Part of that "safe" includes avoiding Heat Seeker at all costs." Enigma was very good last season when third in the G2 Moir Stakes on Cox Plate day and his last run fourth in the Missle Stakes beating Handsome Bane and Duo Power was very awesome. He'll surely win races this season and possible Tia's first win.

She has made a few purchases at the end of the season, picking up Roll Of Thunder and Our Maiden. Roll Of Thunder was a very good horse for my mate Steve and that will win races. "Roll of Thunder was picked up at the late stable auctions for a song. With bloodlines and PSR's like his (Thunder Arctic and multiple TR's) I would have been a fool to walk away from such a low reserve. He'll be going in an ungraded stakes at Caulfield in late January and probably stay at the lower level, though I do hope he's still Graded-competitive", is Tia's opinion of Roll Of Thunder. This is her comment about Our Maiden, "Our Maiden was purchased from EV to replace Rev in the Filly/Mare runs. She's been cooling her heels for the last year-and-a-half and I only hope she still remembers what a track is for. Strangely enough her first start for us was also Rev's: the Truly Bound HDCP at Fair Grounds. She's another that's slated for the shed, though if she does well she may run again in '13." Our Maiden's name doesn't help out too much but she is a G3 winner who could surprise fresh in mares grade if she comes back as good.

She is very happy with her breeding and is seeing results in the paddock with Unforgiv'n beating Prince Stephen home. Perfect Goer has had 5 foals and Revotic is coming along good. Asking her about horses she's scared off this season are not surprisingly Heat Seeker and the big Otsego colt Shatterstar.

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Race 7483 - 1/9/12 - Grade 1 - Japan Cup - Tokyo Racecourse - 3YOs & up - 1 1/2mi T - $5,000,000 Odds------
Heat Seeker FDL Lodge $1.70f
High Heart Elite Thoroughbreds $17.00
Retribution Spartan Racing Stables $7.00
Sinking Fear Olmo Dorato $4.50
Trigun JD Kayll Race Club $8.00

Race 7484 - 1/9/12 - Grade 1 - Japan Cup Dirt - Tokyo Racecourse - 3YOs & up - 1 5/16mi - $2,300,000 Odds------
A View to a Kill Otsego Farms $6.50
Believer FDL Lodge $8.00
Blessed Rainbow $11.00
Freethinker FDL Lodge $61.00
Gold Skimmer Foxies Lodge $21.00
Missing Hour Watch This Space $9.00
Regal Son Snowbank Farm $1.80f
Sligeach Woodbury Stables $5.50
That's Bullcat Olmo Dorato $31.00