The HDR stable has two runners today in LEOLAINE at Werribee and HEAVENLY BRIDGES at Moonee Valley
Werribee – Soft(5)
At the latest track update on Thursday afternoon, the track was rated a Soft 5 but with a fine, dry weather forecast you’d think it will be a Good 4 come race morning. Werribee is a track where it’s rarely a disadvantage to be too far away from the speed. (Matt Welsh Form Analyst)
Race 4 (4:30 pm) Steel Blue Maiden Plate 1400m
No.12 LEOLAINE– Liam Riordan (Barrier 4)
LEOLAINE (4) heads to Werribee on Friday where she’ll contest a 1400m Maiden (Race 4, 3.30pm). The 3yo filly has drawn gate four and Liam Riordan will ride.
LEOLAINE looks like she will be suited out to 1400m and she should get a lovely run from gate four. The daughter of All To Hard was OK in a very fast 1200m race at Yarra Valley two back and then seemed to be wanting further when staying at that trip at Kilmore last time out. Despite being a touch one-paced when the sprint went on at Kilmore, I thought she stuck on OK in a race that has already had some form come out of it. This certainly doesn’t look like a tougher assignment on Friday and with a soft run in the race, the team could make a case she’s over the odds at 20/1 +.(Matt Welsh Form Analyst)
Leolaine has drawn a good gate with the filly’s biggest opposition Shoot Ur Shot drawn inside her out of gate three. All going to plan Leolaine will slot into a one-out one-back position or sit outside the leader throughout the run, being up on speed can certainly have advantages at Werribee and with the rail out seven metres this won’t affect the chances of this promising filly. The team are confident that LEOLAINE will run well here and believe she is over the odds in the market.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $16 (as of 1pm)
Moonee Valley – Good(4)
The rail is out 3m having been true at the most recent meeting last Saturday. The track has been posted a Good 4 on race morning but one would reasonably expect that to get to a Good 3 with a fine weather forecast. The Valley has had a bit of recent racing but is holding up well and I think this season has raced generally very fairly. (Matt Welsh Form Analyst)
Race 5 (8:15 pm) Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge Heat 11 & The Valley Summer Sprint Series Heat 1 955m
No.1 HEAVENLY BRIDGES– Laura Lafferty (Barrier 7)
HEAVENLY BRIDGES (7) heads to The Valley on Friday night where she’ll contest a 955m Heat of the Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge. The daughter of Unencumbered has drawn gate seven and Laura Lafferty rides with a 3kg claim.
HEAVENLY BRIDGES has run well at this track and distance in the past and she strikes a winnable race. This six-year-old mare ran well at Yarra Valley last time out in a race where the leader – Baronessa – just stole a march on the field before the home bend. There’s plenty of speed in this so she’s going to have to absorb some early pressure but if she brings her best then she’s right in this with the claim. (Matt Welsh Form Analyst)
HEAVENLY BRIDGES comes into this off a last start second at Yarra Valley where she was more than impressive when hitting the line strong only to be beaten in a photo. The mare finds herself in a weaker race than the one she was scratched from at Moonee Valley last week, since then she has been kept fresh at home and comes in at peak fitness tonight. From the midfield gate, Laura will look to settle three or four pairs back with cover, which allows HEAVENLY BRIDGES to be doing her best work late. The team believe she is the best she can be coming into tonight and is well over the odds.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $11 (as of 1pm)