Warrnambool
Race 3 – Pannier
Jockey – John Allen
1700m – Barrier 3
Tavistock gelding Pannier continues his progression this preparation, stepping out beyond a mile for the first time this afternoon. Heavy conditions will welcome runners to the ‘Bool today, the Dwyer galloper showing at Ararat he gets through the wet with a solid runner-up performance from the back last start. Jockey John Allen can settle more forward today from a good draw, with an opportunity to sit outside or just off the speed in a stalking role. Linda Meech may chose to kick-up from gate two on debutant Stansta while Churchie Girl will likely come across from out wide after she put in a much better effort last start when ridden forward. Not much exposed heavy form to work with here but can assume they all get through it somewhat ok given connections have decided to run. Interested in Untamed Spirit who is yet to run a bad race after three starts. His effort at Swan Hill two starts back was very good and that form has been franked with Unthinkable winning easily next start. The Hayes runner will settle off speed and be strong late. Black Samurai could’ve won last start with a pinch of luck. His only start on a heavy surface saw him beaten fourteen-lengths in September last year, but that was in Group-3 company and the winner, Aft Cabin, goes ok. Willing to overlook that and give him another shot here. Fortis In Armis is racing well in much weaker grade. Needs to step up here but concede he’s an each way chance. Wary of first-starters Woodline and Stansta. Open race! Pannier is building towards a win with solid showings at both runs this campaign. He gets the blinkers on today and has shown he handles the conditions. The extra distance will suit and he’s fit for recent racing. A winning hope.
Currently, Pannier is a $3.50 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 5 – Navajo Warrior
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1700m – Barrier 12
Five-year-old gelding Navajo Warrior comes here following a string of recent placings, looking to go one better than a pair of runner-up efforts in the past month. The consistent son of Mettre En Jeu ran into a smart galloper last start in heavy conditions at Terang, holding down second place with a big gap to the rest of the field. Today’s race will be held in similar conditions and Mitch Aitken will look to cross and sit outside the lead in the early stages. Most of the early speed is drawn towards the outside of the track so Aitken might get a nice cart across and find a lovely spot before the first bend. Local hope Deific is first-up for Symon Wilde having shown ability in his first preparation. He handles wet ground and shapes as one of the main chances here. Loch Gormon is second-up after just missing at Mount Gambier when fresh. He’ll get a nice run in behind the speed and could be a factor late. There’s been plenty of market support for Shearman Dyer whose last two runs have been good. Untried on heavy ground but willing to trust that stable know what they’re doing. Lunar Links could be an improver. Navajo Warrior gets a good look at breaking through today, the stable keeping him ticking over with a hurdle trial win between runs. He’s fit and gets through the ground and will take beating in a competitive maiden today.
Currently, Navajo Warrior is a $3.10 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 9 – Friday At Five
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1700m – Barrier 8
Zoustar mare Friday At Five runs into a very competitive benchmark-64 contest on heavy ground at Warrnambool this afternoon. The four-year-old mare strung two wins together before having eight weeks away from the track, returning with an excellent effort in town last start to have her ready for today. Jockey Mitch Aitken will be positive from the jump, rolling forward to find a position outside or just off the speed in the early parts. James The Great, Literati and Outback Jack are all drawn inside the Dwyer runner and will be push forward from the get-go in the short run to the first turn. The track will be getting tired by this point of the day so looking to runners that handle heavy going and can find the best part of the track. Jilted Lover is the runner over the odds in this. All three runs on heavy ground have been good, winning her maiden in these conditions and the runner-up performance prior has some strong form for this. Fitter for a first-up run and can be strong late. Iffy Could ploughed through the bog at Terang to win his maiden strongly last start. Yendall can give this lightly-raced runner a sweet run in behind the speed and navigate to the middle of the track around the bend. He’ll take holding out. Can make a case for a number of others including Geraldine’s Jewel, Outback Jack and Literati. Chances don’t end there in a deep race. The Dwyer camp have had this race in mind for their runner for some time now. He won his maiden during the carnival last year and gets his chance to make it two from two at the track today. A tricky race and there’s plenty to play out but Friday At Five must be considered an each way chance in this event.
Currently, Friday At Five is a $12 chance in the market.