Turf talk:
- Rail out 4m around the home bend and the straight, true the remainder.
- This is a pick-up meeting for Werribee after abandonments last week, so wary of how the track may play.
- Tight-turning track with a short straight, so generally no disadvantage to be on speed.
Race 3
Fierce Fighter is the horse to beat. He’s been strong late in two runs at 1200 and 1400m this campaign. He now steps to a mile and draws a better gate then he has at his last two – expect him to settle much handier here.
Pricing is the main danger. Quickly got from 1200m to 1500m at Mornington last start and ran well. Drawn to settle on top of the speed.
Suggested bet: Backing Fierce Fighter – the $4 on offer appeals greatly
Race 4
Blinkers went back on Cable De Vega at Wangaratta last start and she made a return to the winner’s stall. She maps ideally here from gate one, tagging the speed, she will do no work at all. Her recent dry-track form is good and she gets conditions to suit again today. She only has to hold her rating from last tart to be right in the finish.
Takemetothemoon has trialled up nicely for her return to the track. She’s a lightly-raced mare having had just eight starts as a 6yo, but she has shown good enough talent to win a race like this and the mile first up is ideal.
Suggested bet: Small plays Cable De Vaga/Takemetothemoon
Race 6
He’s a bit of a tease, Little Bighorn, but think this is an ideal race for him. As he generally does, he has trialled up very well leading into the campaign. He was a dominant winner first up last preparation – his career peak rating – so he certainly goes well fresh. He gets a nice run from a soft draw. If he can find anything like his best he will win this.
Suggested bet: Backing Little Bighorn – the $5.50 on offer greatly appeals. Can even back him E/W at the price.
Race 7
Slate Ripper didn’t have much luck at Donald, going to the line largely hard-held in running sixth, beaten two lengths. Two trials for the new stable prior to that were good and the best of this blokes form is good enough to win a BM56.
Think Frederick is going quite well. Copped a massive bump halfway down the straight at Swan Hill two back but was strong late on a day you needed to be ‘up and in’. Then got a mile back at Wangaratta last time out before hitting the line strongly at 1300m. Drawn to do no work and should enjoy a strong tempo here.
Brullen is racing well and if there’s any on-speed bias then his chances are further enhanced – he’s the likely leader in the race. Lady Else has upside/talent – but she’s going to spot them a decent start and 1400m is the bottom of her distance range.
Suggested bet: Small bets Frederick/Slate Ripper
