Mornington
Race 3 – Martha Lavinia
Jockey – Declan Bates
1200-metres – Barrier 4
Martha Lavinia is second-up at Mornington today following an inconclusive fresh run at Geelong four-weeks ago. The four-year-old mare drew an outside gate and settled a long way in that event, enduring a chequered passage in the straight and unable to make an impact on the race. She draws much better here and jockey Declan Bates can place her more forward in a race that looks weaker than her first-up assignment. Four-times a runner-up, the daughter of Toronado has a great chance to mark a dash in the win column today and begin an ascension through her grades. Tommy Bear for Cindy Alderson looks hardest to beat here, but conceding chances to Thunder Flash and Allonsy.
Currently, Martha Lavinia is a $3.80 chance in the market.
Mount Gambier
Race 3 – Harbourmaster
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1550m – Barrier 3
Progressive four-year-old Harbourmaster returns to the races following a successful campaign last time in. The gelding won both his winter starts, jumping from a maiden victory on the synthetic to win a benchmark-60 race in Adelaide before heading to the paddock. He resumes in a moderate benchmark-64 event today on the back of a sound jumpout at Ararat, where he ran second to subsequent Kyneton winner Catskill Mountain. Mick O’Leary’s Maracourt is on the quick back-up from Warrnambool on Sunday and presents as the main danger to Dwyer’s runner, while track specialist Ali Orphan has been racing well and drops back in grade today.
Currently, Harbourmaster is a $2.50 favourite in the market.