Summary of Best Bets:
Race 3 No.8 Trinity’s D’Oro (Best) – Likely leader who loves tight tracks and has proven form at the circuit.
Race 5 Backing both No.2 Marty Mcfly and No.6 Melodee Rose
Race 6 No.8 Feargal – Lone speed in the Hanging Rock Cup and perfectly suited on the tight turning track.
Turf Talk:
- Picturesque Hanging Rock, one of the great days out on the racing calendar.
- It is a tight track where on-speed runners are typically advantaged.
- Warm conditions are forecast and the surface should be quite firm.
Stats that matter:
- Jake Duffy has had 68 rides at Hanging Rock for 13 wins, a strike rate of 19.1%.
- Nathan Punch also handles the track well, striking at 19.4% here.
- Trainer Brian McGrath has taken seven runners to Hanging Rock for five winners.
Race by race overview
Race 3:
TRINITY’S D’ORO should find the front comfortably and that will make her very hard to beat. She was a soft winner over this track and trip two runs back before being left in front a long way from home at Yarra Valley last start. She performs well on tight circuits and that prior experience here is a major plus.
POWERBOUND looks the main danger dropping sharply in grade after covering ground in the Camperdown Cup, and should enjoy a soft trail from gate one with a claim. CHILLI REAPER has blinkers on for the first time, while PRESERVATOR had no luck in the same race as Trinity’s D’Oro last start but faces a tricky map.
Suggested Bet: (8) Trinity’s D’Oro (Win). Also taking quinella 1 and 8.
Race 5:
MELODEE ROSE beat four subsequent winners when impressive first-up at Corowa over 900m, showing sharp early speed. She then went to Wagga, was ridden conservatively, got keen and had little luck late over 1200m, which may have been beyond her ideal trip. She profiles as a short-course, jump-and-run type perfectly suited to Hanging Rock, and Jake Duffy returning to the saddle is a positive.
MARTY MCFLY should get a soft run from gate two and, while seven weeks between runs, he has jumped out nicely and is racing well for Tim Fitzsimmons.
Suggested Bet: (6) Melodee Rose (Win) at $5 and (2) Marty McFly (Win) at $6.
Race 6:
The time-honoured Hanging Rock Cup looks a race in two between HIS FINEST HOUR and FEARGAL.
FEARGAL appeals as the value runner at the price. He has been flying since joining the Shane Jackson stable and profiles as the lone speed in the race. He comes through several fast-run contests, including the Koroit Cup at Warrnambool last start, and has a strong record at 1800m. The tight turning track should suit and he may take plenty of catching.
HIS FINEST HOUR has been well placed by Neil Dyer since transferring stables and is a genuine winning chance, though he may concede Feargal a start and need to run him down late.
Suggested Bet: (8) Feargal (Win) – the $4 on offer appeals.
