Race 4 – 2:30PM Roderick Insurance Brokers Maiden Plate (1225 METRES)
Lovely race for #2 MR SPENDEDOE to make his debut. He has clearly taken a bit of time given he’s debuting as a 4yo but looks to have his share of talent. Has impressed in each of his three jump-outs across a couple of preparation. He jumps the gates very well and should either lead, or sit right on speed, from a middle pin. The only little query might be fitness only having one jump-out this campaign, but Julius Sandhu is good at getting his debutantes prepped up and suspect this bloke will be ready to rock.
Scared stiff of #10 POMAH being one of only two rides for Blake Shinn at the meeting, but suspect (hoping) it’s Keen Observer that has taken him to Geelong on Friday. This mare has always started hard in the market but I was fairly uninspired by her last campaign. Can’t knock her recent Flemington jump-out where she was allowed to coast along, but by the same token it didn’t scream ‘back me first up!’. Danny O’Brien seems to have his stable going well ahead of spring. Can win, for sure, but short enough.
#1 BJORSON has talent, the query is 35 days between runs, but blinkers going on dropping in trip is generally a good recipe.
Suggested bet:
Backing #2 MR SPENDEDOE – the $5 looks great value.
Race 5 – 3:00PM McGrath Real Estate Handicap (1325 METRES)
#3 LYRICS ‘N’ SONG looks awfully hard to beat. She looked exceptional in her recent Cranbourne jump-out win, cruising to the line to win comfortably, and that came on the back of a solid Caulfield Heath trial. She only had the one run in summer when desperately unlucky at Cranbourne but suspect she had some issues after that as the bar plates went on according to Racing Australia. Those bar plates are now off again leading into this campaign, which is a great sign, and she strikes a very winnable race here.
Thought #1 LOFTY THOUGHTS had his chance to win at Sale last start and this is tougher. Has a fitness edge over LYRICS ‘N’ SONG, which will help, especially in the heavy conditions, but I reckon he will need to improve again to be winning.
Suggested bet:
Backing #3 LYRICS ‘N’ SONG – $2.50 looks a big price, think she starts ~$2.
