Flemington
Race 1 – Prairie Flower
Jockey – Declan Bates
1200m – Barrier 3
Henry Dwyer’s Star Turn filly Prairie Flower heads to Flemington fresh today for her first look at the famed straight six. The three-year-old boasts two wins from three first-up starts and was Stakes placed in Adelaide during their Autumn carnival, suggesting this grade is within her capabilities. Declan Bates is faced with a tricky inside draw here, and will look to peel to the middle of the track when he clicks his runner into gear. This is a tough assignment to kick off her preparation, with Dwyer suggesting she’ll take benefit from today’s outing. In a nightmare for race-caller Matty Hill, River Ribble and River Noire look hardest to beat, but Prairie Flower is great each way value at her opening quote.
Currently Prairie Flower is a $27 chance in the market.
Colac
Race 2 – Savvy Bee
Jockey – Tahlia Hope
1200m – Barrier 3
Three-year-old filly Savvy Bee lines up for her second race start today following a third placed debut effort on the synthetic in October. The daughter of Savabeel has had a short freshen up since that run and is in great condition to tackle this maiden event on the back of a solid jumpout at Ararat a fortnight ago. Tahlia Hope has drawn well and can find cover just off the speed, a good place to be around the Colac circuit. This is a very open event with many chances, leaning towards Loco For Coco and Zeydana as two of the main hopes. The Dwyer runner must be considered among the fancies here and can be prominent in the concluding stages.
Currently, Savvy Bee is a $6.50 chance in the market.
Race 5 – Let It Rip Reggie
Jockey – Jack Hill
2000m – Barrier 6
Last start winner Let It Rip Reggie steps out to 2000-metres today looking to continue his good run of form in benchmark-58 grade. The son of Ocean Park has won two of his past three starts since Jack Hill has jumped on his back and the two combine again this afternoon. Racing in career best form, the five-year-old gelding will need to carry 60kg over the ten furlongs, but his forward racing style will be an advantage in this contest. Drawn well in gate six, Hill can sit on or just of the speed throughout the race and look to be in front a the top of the short home straight. Fighting Sweet will challenge for the early lead and may give the Dwyer runner a nice cart into the race. Hardest to beat will be Asternishing, but if Reggie is on his game he can again find himself in the winner’s stall this afternoon.
Currently, Let It Rip Reggie is a $2.80 favourite in the market.
Race 6 – Rock Dee Jay
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 1
In-form galloper Rock Dee Jay drops back to 1200-metres today in a moderate 0-58 handicap that looks within his keeping. The four-year-old gelding missed a run at Bordertown last week, trainer Dwyer aiming for the shorter trip today as a better option at this stage of his preparation. The son of Awesome Rock was strong winning his maiden at Seymour two starts back before an excellent effort when caught in the wrong part of the Ararat track last start. A repeat of either of those performances sees him winning this race, though Mitch Aitken will need some luck from a tricky inside draw. Sunburn and Fabian’s Spirit present as the main dangers, but the Dwyer runner has more upside and can register win number two here this afternoon.
Currently, Rock Dee Jay is a $2.90 favourite in the market.