Turf Talk:
- Track has come up a Good 4, expect an upgrade.
- The track has a decent uphill run from the bottom of the back straight (1200m start).
- It’s a very tight home bend and short home straight.
- Dry deck at Colac generally lends itself to on speed runners. BUT, they’ve had to pump 75mm of irrigation on the track this week, so it will be interesting to see if that creates any lanes.
- Position in running is crucial around Colac.
Race 1
Not an overly strong maiden, which presents a great opportunity for Carolina Rose on debut. She trialled only fairly prior to the blinkers going on at Ballarat on December 8, where she showed marked improvement. Her stablemate Asfoora also kicked off her career at Colac on this day in 2021. While that and their shared sex may be where the comparisons end, this daughter of I Am Invincible looks capable of making a winning start. The key will be for Neil Farley to get her out of the gates cleanly as she can be a touch tardy, but the 1200m start at Colac is an ideal setup for her.
Suggested bet: Backing Carolina Rose – the $5 on offer really appeals.
Race 2
This is a delicious setup with Lonhro’s Shadow: Meech on board a good gate horse from a low draw around a tight circuit. This mare was just fair on debut last campaign but it was a strong maiden on a soft deck, she was also a huge betting drifter that day. Her first trial this time in she was ridden very quietly in behind them at Burrumbeet but moved well. She put in a few awkward steps in her recent Ballart jump-out but mustered speed quickly to lead, before streeting away from her rivals in good time for the morning. She has since worked in blinkers which she will sport her first up – and additional positive. She should bounce, lead and take plenty of catching.
Suggested bet: Backing Lonhro’s Shadow – can get $3.80 this morning, that appeals.
Race 7
Golden Age is airborne since joining the Michael Templeton stable. And he has been racing on tighter tracks such as Moe and Cranbourne, but not sure they are ideal for him, as he’s quite a big horse. He’s also a horse that doesn’t have a lot of early speed, so the map is sticky if they are struggling to make ground; that said, Linda Meech is a great booking and with even luck he will be winning this.
Red Sparks is another who hasn’t been the best gate horse across her career but she jumped cleanly for her in a recent Ballarat hit out and she can use her gate to settle near the speed. Loved how she trialled there at Ballarat, suggesting she may have come back a better horse think campaign. Think she’s worth a ticket at the price.
Suggested bet: At the morning prices happy to back Golden Age at $3.20 and Red Sparks at $26.
