London – Bred to Win – Saturday, 3 October 2009

It’s not often you see the Octagonal breed in Western Australia so they deserve a second glance when you spot one in the form-guide.

London, a lightly raced five-year old Octagonal gelding trained by Dean White, has flown under the radar in the West but gets his chance to make a name for himself at Belmont in the Listed Birthday Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.

He is the first foal for the multiple city-winning mare Harveynicks, who is a half sister to the stakes placed Neverland (Night Shift) and Wasp (Octagonal).

Returning from a spell at Belmont a fortnight ago, London ran into the promising Hay List and finished a respectable third to the undefeated galloper beaten less than a length.  Prior to the spell, he cruised to three-length victory over 1200m lumping 58.5kg in 1.9.76s which was just 0.3s outside the track record.

With the benefit of race fitness and 53kg in the Birthday Stakes, London is sure to give red-hot favourite Dante’s Volante a huge run for his money and at $13 looks the safest each way bet of the day.