The HDR stable has two runners today in PAPER DRAGON and IRISH BUTTERFLY at SWAN HILL.
SWAN HILL- Soft (5)
This is day three of the Swan Hill Carnival and by this stage the track has had plenty of wear and tear, so expect them to use plenty of the straight on Sunday. The track has generally been floating around the Soft 5 and with no rain forecast it should hang around that range again. There is a lovely, long straight at Swan Hill which generally gives all horses their chance. (Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
Race 4 (1:25pm) bet365 Odds Drift Protector 3YO BM64 Handicap 1200M
No.2 PAPER DRAGON – Mitch Aitken (Barrier 14)
PAPER DRAGON (14) heads to Swan Hill on Sunday where she will tackle a 1200m BM64 (Race 4, 1.25pm). She has drawn gate fourteen and Mitch Aitken will take the ride.
PAPER DRAGON has run her best races on top of the ground so getting away from the Soft 7 at Sandown last start looks a plus. She was a dominant track and trip winner two back in a BM58 that rated very well. She has been given 42 days between runs but had a lovely little tick over jump-out at St Arnaud which suggested she has done nicely between runs. Gate fourteen looks a touch tricky on paper but with even luck in running she can certainly figure in the finish.(Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $18 (as at 11am)
Race 7 (3:15pm) Jarrod Arentz Electrical & Solar Solutions BM78 Handicap 2400M
No.8 IRISH BUTTERFLY – Will Price (Barrier 10)
IRISH BUTTERFLY (10) heads to Swan Hill on Sunday where he will contest a 2400m BM78 (Race 7, 3.15pm). He has drawn gate ten and Will Price takes the ride.
IRISH BUTTERFLY had his chance at Murray Bridge last time out, and in fact he seemed a touch plain over the final furlong. The vet was reported to give him a look over and seemingly found no issue. His form leading into last start had been solid, closing off strongly at Sandown the start prior to finish second, with a subsequent winner in Teofilo Star behind him. He has been up since November so is deep into a campaign and I doubt there’s any improvement to come, but if he can bounce back from last start then he can certainly figure in the finish. (Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $7 (as at 11am)
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