Three runners stepping out across Victoria for the stable in a great Saturday of thoroughbred racing.
Pakenham
Race 5 – Hollerlujah
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1000m – Barrier 4
Three-year-old filly Hollerlujah is second-up into this event tomorrow following an even fresh effort at The Valley a fortnight ago. She settled well back in the field there and failed to make an impression on the race, however was given little chance to do so from a negative steer. The daughter of Holler will be fitter for the run and jockey Mitch Aitken should find a spot a little closer in the run, although Pakenham is a track that forgives those who can be tardy from the gates. This is a hot race, with some runners carrying solid form into the event. Maher/Eustace have their talented filly Dusse shooting for a hattrick of wins, but her job has been made tricky from a wide draw. River Ribble won easily first-up last prep (runner-up bolted in at Geelong this week at its next start) and has trialled well enough leading in.
From the trainer:
The long straight at Pakenham should suit her.
She’s probably over the odds.
I think this is her level – she can run in the first three or four.
Currently, Hollerlujah is a $41 chance in the market.
Stawell
Race 6 – Let It Rip Reggie
Jockey – Jack Hill
1850m – Barrier 15
Ocean Park gelding Let It Rip Reggie will hope to get back in the winners’ stall today when he steps up in distance to 1850-metres. A runaway winner two starts back, the five-year-old couldn’t repeat the dose last start when he looked a little one-paced in the run home at Swan Hill. He has an outside barrier to contend with here, but there’s a nice run into the sweeping bend for Jack Hill to find cover in a forward position at a track the hoop knows well. This is a wide open race with many chances, the Dwyer runner will need to be at his best here to get the desired result.
From the trainer:
He was good two ago when winning.
He’ll win one out of three or four of these benchmark-58’s and pay his way.
Currently, Let It Rip Reggie is a $4.60 chance in the market.
Race 8 – Better Tomorrow
Jockey – Josh Cartwright
1100m – Barrier 11
Lightly-raced Lonhro gelding Better Tomorrow resumes from a spell at a sprint trip that will likely prove too short this afternoon. The five-year-old will be better suited over more ground and will derive great benefit from today’s run, however he is not without a chance in a race full of runners who find it difficult to win. This is another open event, with the market installing serial second-place-getter Pentegra as favourite. That alone should be enough to suggest that anything could win this.
From the trainer:
Probably a bit short for him today.
1300-1400 second-up will be his go.
Currently, Better Tomorrow is an $8 chance in the market.