Morphettville
Race 7 – Prairie Flower
Jockey – Lachie Neindorf
1100m – Barrier 4
Ultra consistent galloper Prairie Flower fronts up in Listed grade again today at Morphettville over 1100-metres. The daughter of Star Turn was very good at this track last start in a strong race, peaking on her run late but finishing third at 1200-metres. The drop in distance will suit this filly who has been in David Jolly’s care since that placed effort three weeks ago. Jockey Lachie Neindorf has drawn nicely in gate four and will have cover throughout the event, looking to edge outside of runners at the top of the straight and wind up for a sprint home. As expected in this type of race it’s an open event, the market identifying Philonize as the early favourite. Her record at the track and trip is excellent and was far from disgraced in this company last start. She was out to 1200-metres there and will appreciate the shorter trip here. Hard to beat. Another Award chased down Philonize on that occasion and is drawn to have last crack again. Cops a hefty weight penalty this afternoon. All About Eve has a good fresh record but needs plenty to go her way from the rear of the field. The chances don’t end there and Prairie Flower will be one of the closers late. If the speed is on early this three-year-old can have a real shot at a top-three finish.
Currently, Prairie Flower is a $16 chance in the market.
Ararat
Race 2 – Impending Love
Jockey – Melissa Julius
1100m – Barrier 12
Debutant Impending Love heads to Ararat following a pair of solid recent jumpouts on the grass and synthetic tracks over the back fence. Jockey Melissa Julius has drawn an outside barrier on the three-year-old but has a nice run into the sweeping bend to find a position in the run. With many first starters it’s hard to know where the speed will come from but race-favourite Palantus looks certain to roll forward from his outside draw. The Maher/Eustace galloper finished runner-up at both runs in his first preparation and is the obvious on-topper here. Andrew Noblet’s debutant Lady Dumont has looked good at the jumpouts and will look for a forward spot from her middle draw. She might enjoy a kinder run in transit than the favourite and can be a major player in this. The race opens up from there, conceding Paul Edward and Arti’s Gem have both been impressive in their trials. Impending Love is ready for her raceday debut but will improve on whatever she produces today. She can collect a cheque for connections here.
Ararat
Race 3 – Pannier
Jockey – Melissa Julius
1300m – Barrier 11
Three-year-old gelding Pannier begins his raceday preparation at Ararat today on the back of sound efforts at the Stawell and Camperdown jumpouts. The son of Tavistock ran well at both starts in November last year before feeling the pinch and being sent to the paddock. He has returned a stronger and smarter galloper from his race experience and finds a suitable starting point for his campaign today. Jockey Melissa Julius jumps from an outside draw and will drift back as his Pannier’s racing pattern. Simon Wylde’s Armstrong Bay has been installed as favourite following a good first-up effort at Bendigo three weeks ago. This gelding is another who tends to be slow into stride so will need luck at some point in the run from an inside draw. He has finished runner-up in four of his past five starts and will again be around the mark here. Wanted In A Gust was excellent on her home track on debut but won’t want to get as far back today. The Lindsey Smith galloper has drawn wide and will be looking for a cart into the trace approaching the home turn. Chiaro Di Luna will kick-up and hold a forward spot from a good draw and may have an easy time of it up front. If this is the case, she comes right into contention. Pannier will improve on anything he shows today. His work at home and at the jumpouts has been encouraging and with even luck can run into the top four here.
Currently, Pannier is an $8 chance in the market.