Three runners, three maidens on a Saturday of opportunity for the Henry Dwyer stable.
Morphettville Parks
Race 1 – Steller Eagle
Jockey – Jess Eaton
1000m – Barrier – 8
Three-year-old filly Steller Eagle heads to the races for her second start today just nine days after making a moderate debut at Murray Bridge. She was beaten five lengths there but ran very good closing sectionals over the 900-metre dash, picking herself up after being bumped wide by another runner. The daughter of Russian Revolution can’t afford to get too far back around the tight Parks circuit today, but a wide draw might dictate that Jess Eaton has to settle in the second half of the field and hope the leaders overdo things up front. The race is full of first starters so predicting the speed here is tricky, but from the jumpouts it looks like Amelia Valentina will settle forward from a low draw and others will need to work across from wide barriers to be involved in the speed battle. This could work into the hands of the Dwyer runner who will look for cover in the early stages.
From the trainer:
I actually didn’t mind the run (at Murray Bridge).
We’ve put the blinkers on – David Jolly was very happy with her work in them.
A lot stronger race than she ran in last time but I think she’s got plenty of improvement in her.
Currently, Steller Eagle is a $26 chance in the market.
Penshurst
Race 3 – Pittsburgh Pirate
Jockey – Josh Cartwright
1284m – Barrier 6
Recent jumpout winner Pittsburgh Pirate heads to Penshurst fresh from a spell after just one start in his two-year-old season. That was in the Elvstroem Classic at Swan Hill where he was beaten a long way, but today’s field looks a much more suitable starting point for the son of Pierro. Josh Cartwright will likely drift back from a middle draw and get going late, traditionally not a winning recipe on a track that lends itself to on-pace runners. Of the others, Nightfox and Is It Me appear the main hopes in a fairly skinny race, where the Dwyer stable are hoping their gelding can finish hard and sneak into the money.
From the trainer:
He seems a lot more switched on this time around.
I just want to see him settle and hit the line.
If he finishes in the first three I’ll be happy.
Currently, Pittsburgh Pirate is an $8.50 chance in the market.
Penshurst
Race 5 – Summasweet
Jockey – Neil Farley
1400m – Barrier 7
Three-year-old filly Summasweet faces the starter for the first time this afternoon in a moderate maiden at Penshurst. The daughter of Almanzor settled back and hit the line soundly in a recent Ararat jumpout and will be better suited over more ground than the 1400-metres she gets today. Neil Farley is drawn towards the outside and will find cover in the early stages of the race, the stable hoping their debutant can pick off a few runners in the run home and hit the line with vigour. Nothing jumps off the page and screams ‘winner’ in this race, but leaning towards Tom Dabernig’s State Of Maine as hardest to topple here.
From the trainer:
This is a good opportunity to be competitive first-up.
Sometimes these laid-back fillies can improve as they get out in distance, which she’s going to need to.
It’s just a watch today and hope she can hit the line.
Currently, Summasweet is an $8 chance in the market.