Race 3 – 2:30PM Indulge Yourself Beauty Maiden Plate (1000 METRES)
You’d price #5 TRULY ICCONIC 100/1 off his first two jump-outs in October, but he had a little freshen up before jumping out like a rocket at Mornington on December 3. He sat on top of the speed, powering away from his rival late to win in good time for the morning. The little concern is that was only a 790m jump-out, which can be misleading come raceday pressure, but he was also good the furlong past the post. Apprentice up, but think that’s offset by the claim and fact Nadia Daniels has ridden him in jump-outs. No moral, but he looks over the odds at $11.
#13 TOO MUCH TOO SOON has jumped-out nicely, also at Mornington. She contested some handy maidens in her first campaign and has her first crack at 1000m here – which doesn’t look a negative. Drawn well with a good jockey up – she is going to be in this a long way.
#12 TAUPE has good gate speed and, if anything, is better suited at 1000m than two recent 1100m efforts. Daniel Stackhouse is riding well at the moment and think he can get her across form the wide draw without over-doing it.
Both #6 FLAT CHAT (could’ve trialled slightly better) and #2 FORT OF DREAMS also have claims.
Deep race, but having a small E/W spec on TRULY ICCONIC at the double figures.
Suggested bet:
#5 TRULY ICCONIC E/W
Race 7 – 4:48PM Ladbrokes Quick Multi BM56 Handicap (1000 METRES)
#8 IDLEONBY has jumped-out very well for her second racing preparation. She was given a quiet jump-out at Flemington on November 21, when winning under a strong hold. She was then given a ‘send along’ in her most recent jump-out win on December 5, winning by a space and posting good time for the morning. She is drawn to settle right on speed without doing much work at all. The form through her first campaign is strong, debuting in a hot Maiden at Bendigo before beating a subsequent winner at Pakenham. She looks to have really progressed into her second campaign.
The clear danger appears to be #5 SCREAM who drops back in grade after contesting a stronger race at Mornington last time out. He should get a nice run just in behind a reasonable speed.
#2 BLEAK MID WINTER has a strong ratings profile for this. He was formerly trained in SA by Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea, now finding himself with Brenda McPhan, who has had very few runners in recent years. If he can run up to his best he’s right in this, but jump-outs have been just fair, which is a touch concerning.
Suggested bet:
Backing #8 IDLEONBY (think $3.40 on offer is a super price)
