Plan of Attack
| Race | No. | Horse | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 13 | Alexander Thegreat | Trialled very well. Gets a gun run from gate four. |
| 3 | 9 | Wayed In Light | Out of a strong form race. Extra trip suits. |
| 5 | 6 | Marilyn’s Edge | Trialled super for this return. Has class and maps to lead. |
| 5 | 8 | Shadow Black | Going better than form suggests. Dry ground a huge plus. |
Turf Talk
- The rail is out 3.5m around the home bend, true the remainder.
- Mildura races in the cooler months and has generally raced very well this season.
- Horses can make wider, looping runs if they’re good enough.
Stats That Matter
- Trainer Shawn Mathrick has a runner in each race. Prices at Bet365 (at time of writing): $5, $3.40, $4.80, $3, $2.30, $6.50, $3.60.
- Ciaron Maher has had 12 winners from 24 runners at Mildura with a 67.3% PoT.
Race 2 No.13 Alexander Thegreat
Fairly limited maiden, this. (13) Alexander Thegreat has jumped out very well on a number of occasions. He has good gate speed and should be able to use gate four to settle handy, giving him a tactical edge on key rival (14) Sarazain. With a soft run in transit, expecting Alexander Thegreat to be awfully hard to beat – think he might continue to trim up from his $3.40–$3.50 price. I think he’s a $3 chance.
Betting suggestion: Backing (13) Alexander Thegreat.
Race 3 No.9 Wayed In Light
The majority of this field has had plenty of chances. (9) Wayed In Light comes through what is panning out a strong form race on debut at Sale; second and fifth have since won, with others running well. She was held up at different stages of the race, doing her best work on the line in restricted room. Liked the way she dropped her head back in the field in the early stages despite the moderate tempo – important for a mare getting out in trip. Think she deserves to be shorter than $4.80 at Bet365.
Betting suggestion: Backing (9) Wayed In Light.
Race 5 No.6 Marilyn’s Edge / smaller 8. Shadow Black
For an 1100m race there doesn’t look to be huge speed, and that should allow (6) Marilyn’s Edge and (8) Shadow Black to control things.
Marilyn’s Edge couldn’t have jumped out much better for her return. She had two Cranbourne hit-outs where she went to the line untested, signalling she’s back in good order. She has always been a speedy and somewhat talented mare, she looks out of place in a 0-58.
Shadow Black could be a big improver getting onto a dry deck. Not sure she has been overly comfortable on wet tracks this prep, and the tongue tie going on suggests they may be on top of a little issue. Can roll forward and take catching.
(4) Hollywoodboulevard was good from the tail winning first-up at this track and trip, but this is tougher and he’s spotting better horses a start. Can win, but seems short enough at $3.
Betting suggestion: Good bet (6) Marilyn’s Edge, smaller (8) Shadow Black.
