Summary of best bets:
Best bet: Race 2 No.6 The Quiet Immortal
Next best: Race 1 No.6 Lil Orlov
Two-bet play: Race 10 No.3 Almighty Will and No.4 Frederick
Turf Talk:
- Wangaratta is a big, spacious track.
- Generally plays very fairly.
- Last meetings was a month ago and it was heavy, but has had plenty of time to recover.
- Forecast is interesting, rain expected during the arvo but warm conditions and starting on a Good 4.
- One to monitor – if rain comes during the meeting they may use more of the track as the day goes on. If track stays dry, bonusing those on speed.
Race 1
Lil Orlov got too far back at Albury last start but still worked home strongly. His debut came on a heavy track at Ballarat where he never travelled, so you can put a line through that. His jump-outs prior showed genuine talent and if he can reproduce that here, he’s clearly the horse to beat.
From the chute start, I’d love to see him ridden more positively – he’s got the tactical speed to land in the first few and, from there, he’ll be very hard to run down.
Suggested bet: Lil Orlov to WIN.
Race 2
The Quiet Immortal is clearly the horse to beat. He got so far back at Kilmore on debut – behind average horses – that he was in another race compared to those fighting out the finish. However, he picked himself up and hit the line very well in a handy 2yo event. His trials this time in have been very good. Love the booking of Will Gordon, a strong rider who is in form. With even luck, he’s the winner.
Suggested bet; Keen on The Quiet Immortal.
Race 10
Backing two horses out of a Swan Hill 0-56 last start – a race that looks a key reference to this.
Almighty Will resumed for the new stable and got a long way back before being held up at different stages in the straight but working to the line well. He did have the advantage of being on the better inside lanes there, but it was a good return nonetheless. He had trialled well prior, much of his racing has been in stronger company than this, and he draws for a perfect run stepping up in trip.
Thought Frederick was very good in the same race. He was forced to come down the inferior middle lanes (was a day you needed to be ‘up and in’) but worked home really well. His last couple of runs have been spaced – he had an vet/show issue at Yarra Valley two back – but like that he now backs up 13 days after his last outing.
Both Almighty Will and Frederick are double figures – that represents value to me.
Suggested bet; Backing Almighty Will/Frederick
