Heat 1 headlined Thursday’s Mornington jump-outs. Group 1 Coolmore winner Tentyris was having his second jump-out of the campaign and cruised to the line strongly in third. One of the favourites for the Oakleigh Plate, Tropicus, finished second and also moved well through the line. Both are quality sprinters who did exactly what you’d want to see at this stage of their preparations.
Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Sepals went around in heat eight over 600m. He won the heat impressively, but given it was his first jump-out of the campaign, expect to see him again before he resumes.
There were also a number of horses worth adding to the blackbook.
Heat 2 – Honor Galore (1st)
She generally goes well in jump-outs and this was no exception. She took up the running outside the speedy Rich Lover and was able to hold a solid margin to the line under her own steam. This was her second strong jump-out of the campaign, suggesting she’s ready to resume. She has won three of four first-up and looks set to add to that record this time in.
Her stablemate Place Of Gold also caught the eye, working nicely to the line in third.
Heat 4 – Excelamidas (1st)
The time was only fair, but I really like the way this colt goes about his work. With four white socks he won’t be hard to spot on race day. He’s still quite green, which is to be expected from an unraced two-year-old, but his past two jump-outs have been impressive. He’s shown good tactical speed and has won both with plenty in hand. Nice colt in the making.
Heat 5 – Sixorseven (2nd)
Matt Laurie prepared the quinella here and both went well. The winner, an unnamed son of Armory, moved nicely. However, it was Sixorseven who really caught my eye in second. He led comfortably and was never asked for a serious effort in the straight. His 600m jump-out on January 7 was also very sharp. A son of Blue Point with natural speed, he looks the type who will jump, run and take plenty of catching on debut.
Heat 7 – Salarae (2nd)
Point Moon appeared to be wearing earmuffs for the first time and improved noticeably on her previous jump-out, though she was given a solid test.
The horse to follow is Salarae, an unraced Zoustar mare with Cliff Brown. This was her third jump-out of the campaign and she has been strong through the line each time. She looks like a mare who will appreciate 1100m to 1200m on debut, where she can balance up and finish off. There’s talent there.
