Betsy’s Set – Kensington
| Race | No. | Horse | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5 | Grand Eagle | Best Bet |
| 2 | 2 | Ohope | Right price, next best |
| 5 | 5 | La Roja | Last start winner, finds easier race |
| 5 | 8 | Johnny The Kid | Best place bet on the program |
Track Pattern Outlook
- Kensington +3m Entire – Tempo is key overall. History suggests lanes 2–6 in the straight are superior, with bigger fields allowing horses to get to the outside lanes effectively.
Key Stats
- Over the past 90 days Jason Collett is striking at 25.7% with a +21.5% POT.
- Richard Litt is the stable to follow – striking at 26.3% with a +24.6% POT (runners up to $10 SP), particularly effective with horses first and second-up.
Race by Race Overview
Race 1
Numbers: (3) Maquisa · (9) Enviable · (11) Officiate · (12) Angel Feet
Wide-open 1250m maiden to kick off proceedings on a rain-affected track. (3) Maquisa goes on top, race fitness is on her side and she now gets James McDonald from a positive gate. (9) Enviable, one of five stablemates to Maquisa, did a good job on debut and is suited rising to 1250m second up. Both (11) Officiate and (12) Angel Feet have trialled impressively and can feature – their parades and late market support are key.
Suggested Bet – No Bet
Race 2
Numbers: (2) Ohope · (4) Johnny · (1) Stormland · (6) Prestar
Outstanding 1150m BM64. I’d suggest a couple here will progress to Saturday grade. (2) Ohope was impressive first-up winning strongly at Hawkesbury; fitter second-up and maps well. (4) Johnny is the danger – smart last start effort but had favours up front, needs a positive ride today. (1) Stormland was luckless fresh and battled late, the claim helps. Respecting (6) Prestar, a Victorian visitor with market support.
Suggested Bet – Ohope (Win)
Race 3
Numbers: (5) Grand Eagle · (1) Huon · (6) Stratafy · (4) —
Keen to see talented (5) Grand Eagle kick off his 3yo season. Terrific late last prep with back-to-back wins. Soft trial suggests he’s ready; James McDonald aboard seals it. (1) Huon is the danger with two sharp trials and a good fresh profile. (6) Stratafy gets in light with Anna Roper, peaks third-up and warrants respect.
Suggested Bet – Grand Eagle (Win)
Race 4
Numbers: (4) Bright Red · (5) The Years · (2) Convergent · (3) Misterkipchoge
Hard to go past the Waller/McDonald combo. (4) Bright Red comes from a strong form race and gets weight relief on (5) The Years. (2) Convergent was excellent last start with strong late sectionals over 1500m; the rise to 1800m suits. (5) The Years still has claims despite the weight. Consistent (3) Misterkipchoge rounds out the numbers.
Suggested Bet – No Bet
Race 5
Numbers: (5) La Roja · (8) Johnny The Kid · (9) Ivan’s Hero · (6) Andron
Lacklustre BM72 with limited progressive form. (5) La Roja goes firmly on top – outstanding fresh run, then a smart win second-up thanks to a peach by McEvoy. Finds a weak race and looks the horse to beat. (8) Johnny The Kid is big odds and appeals each-way second-up; forgive the tough fresh run. (9) Ivan’s Hero gets McDonald and market support. (6) Andron rises to BM72 second-up and can figure.
Suggested Bet – La Roja (Win) / Johnny The Kid (Place)
Race 6
Numbers: (9) Bodhi Boy · (1) Balkans · (5) Hammett · (3) Bartolf
Open 1250m BM72. Average tempo expected. (9) Bodhi Boy is fit and in form, comes off back-to-back wins but rises in grade. (1) Balkans resented heavy ground fresh; better horse than that and should appreciate the class drop with McDonald aboard. (5) Hammett improved sharply at her second trial – value chance. (3) Bartolf adds to a tricky race.
Suggested Bet – No Bet
Race 7
Numbers: (4) Mergeila · (5) Lady Boss · (6) Idle Flyer · (9) Just A Journey
Will short-priced favourite (4) Mergeila kick off here? The booking of McDonald on (5) Lady Boss suggests she may be saved. If she runs, she’s the one to beat. At the odds, siding with progressive filly (6) Idle Flyer – better placed at 1250m first-up this prep, just needs luck from the draw. (9) Just A Journey maps well from barrier 2, brings Queensland residual fitness and has market support. (5) Lady Boss also in the mix, dropping back to 1250m suits.
Suggested Bet – No Bet
