The Henry Dwyer stable have three runners wearing black shorts on the Ballarat synthetic today – Oh Canada, Palatial Prince and Baria.
Race 3: Oh Canada
Jockey – Damien Thornton
Barrier – 2
Four-year-old mare, Oh Canada, tackles race 3 on the card, a 1000-metre maiden event. The daughter of Vancouver is on debut for the stable following 3 previous race starts for Pat Carey and John Maloney – where she hasn’t set the track ablaze – but a recent jumpout win on her home track suggests she’s returned from a spell in good order and is enjoying the change of environment. Hardest to beat looks to be Shouri Lad who is first-up for Robert Hickmott following a slick jumpout win on the same morning as Oh Canada. It will likely push forward from a wide barrier and give the field a bunny to chase.
From the trainer:
I think off the trials she’ll be running a good race today and being competitive.
She looks great, she looks like she’s still got improvement in her, she quite a solid sort of filly.
If she can be competitive we know there’s a little bit of improvement to come.
Currently the market has Oh Canada a $12 chance, giving us the opportunity to have a small each way play at the price.
Race 4: Palatial Prince
Jockey – Damien Thornton
Barrier – 10
Palatial Prince returns to racing 30 weeks after a second-placed effort ended his three-year-old campaign in January. The gelded son of Xtravagant was twice the bridesmaid in his debut preparation and strikes a winnable maiden first-up at 1200-metres. The four-year-old comes through the same jumpout as Shouri Lad, where he finished third and was asked to chase the runaway leader through the line. Damien Thornton has drawn the inside of French Comet who has jumped out impressively either side of an even track-debut at Murtoa. The McEvoy runner looks toughest to beat in a race of few chances, which also includes recent runner-up, Wangandary, for Sharon Carmichael.
From the trainer:
Blinkers will help him and he seems to be going well.
He seems to be in good order and a good headspace which he needs to be, because he only does what he has to.
If he’s not winning he’ll be right there today.
Currently, the market has Palatial Prince a $3.60 equal favourite.
Race 7 – Baria
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
Barrier – 7
Last-start winner, Baria, stays in BM58 company as she steps out to 1200-metres in her third run this prep. The daughter of Outreach recorded a last-stride victory at Mildura a fortnight ago after sitting outside the speed the entire 1000-metre trip. The extra furlong looks ideal for this five-year-old mare, and jockey Mitch Aitken will again look to be prominent from a middle gate. The Mcevoys again look to hold a strong chance in this race, with recent maiden winner, Nicconi Express, likely to jump around even money. It has begun slowly its past two starts and if that trend continues, Baria might be able to slip away and give the fancy something to chase.
From the trainer:
Looks a good progression race from her last start win.
I think she’s going as well as she can and she looks ok…she can run another competitive race today
Currently, the market has Baria a $8.50 chance. She looks an each way special.