Race 8 – 4:10PM Wrest Point Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400 METRES)
Terrific race with a few Victorian raiders taking on the local Tasmanian star #5 DURAZZO.
The horse that caught the eye is #4 WELWAL. He trialled brilliantly at Cranbourne on January 26, working home strongly under his own steam behind Electric Tommy. That was as good as this bloke has trialled and he’s a horse that has previously run very well first-up. First-up last campaign he wouldn’t have been able to see the leaders turning for home before hitting the line strongly at Randwick. The campaign prior he was a first-up winner of the Group 3 Heffernan Stakes at Caulfield and he beat Robusto to win first-up at 1400m the campaign prior. He seems to run his best races fresh and one could argue his trial suggests he’s come back better than ever. Will need a good ride off gate two as he is a get-back horse, but with plenty of racing on the track by this stage expect horses to be able to make ground.
#1 STEPARTY is racing well and whilst he hasn’t won for 869 days, his recent ratings are certainly good enough to be winning a race like this. Tactics will be interesting from a wide draw and he is 39 days between runs, but deserves to be near the top of the market.
The key locals, #5 DURAZZO and #9 JUST CRUISIN’ both have winning claims. DURAZZO draws a touch sticky but with even luck in running he can atone for running second in this race last year. JUST CRUISIN’ has trialled well between runs and hasn’t been far off DURAZZO throughout the campaign.
Good contest.
Suggested bet:
Backing #4 WELWAL E/W.
