Gawler
Race 5 – Mortar
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
2100m – Barrier 10
Tarzino gelding Mortar drops in grade when he hops over the border to South Australia on Saturday. Henry Dwyer’s four-year-old was building towards a win before going too hard in the lead on the synthetic last start, doing a good job to hold on for fourth on that occasion. Jockey Madison Lloyd will again be positive from a wide draw, looking to sit outside or just behind the lead upon settling.
Maiden galloper Hussling will punch forward from an inside draw in search of the lead, while Campobasso will come across from outside Mortar to take a forward position. The market has struggled to identify a clear top pick in this, with half the field currently quoted in single figures. Rebel Consortium won at this track/trip last start and is racing in great heart. She’s won two of her past four and not been far away in the others. She’ll be strong late and is one of the main chances. Campobasso won two in a row at this track/trip before folding from the lead when up in class last start. He’ll appreciate coming back in grade and will give a sight from the front. Sea Of Secrets is another down in class here after a sound showing in town last start. He won two on the bounce prior to that run and is another with a winning hope. Concede a chance to Malinong Club who hasn’t enjoyed the best of luck lately.
Mortar should get a nice cart across early doors with Campobasso and find a position on the back of that runner. Getting him to settle in the run will be key and if Lloyd can achieve this, it will go a long way to improving his chances in this. He’s fit and comes here with a genuine each way chance.
Currently, Mortar is an $8.50 chance in the market.
Pakenham (synthetic)
Race 6 – Morpurgo
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 11
Four-year-old gelding Morpurgo is first-up at a mile today, on the back of a pair of impressive recent synthetic jumpouts. The son of Toronado started favourite back in April when a long way beaten, Dwyer quick to put him away for a short spell after a head-scratching run. Mitch Aitken rides from a wide alley today and will need luck in the early stages to find cover somewhere around midfield or worse.
Stylish Icon looks the leader from a wide draw, and with some key scratchings, should find the front without concern. Lawbreaker’s past two runs have been at this track/trip, breaking through for a maiden win before running soundly in slightly stronger grade last start. Tricky draw but with even luck shapes as hardest to beat. Celtic Hero won his maiden at this track/trip last start and was third behind Lawbreaker three starts back. He’s drawn well and is another with a winning hope. Concede a chance to Orrong Road who is usually thereabouts in this grade.
If Morpurgo can convert his jumpout form to raceday he is right in this. He’ll need his share of luck from the draw but the synthetic surface may be just what he’s looking for at this stage. Goes in with an each way chance.
Currently, Morpurgo is a $6.50 chance in the market.
Pakenham (synthetic)
Race 8 – Nightstick
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 7
Resuming gelding Nightstick strikes a winnable race this afternoon over 1200-metres on the Pakenham synthetic track. The four-year-old son of Toronado raced well without winning last preparation, the stable will be keen to notch an early win this campaign to build confidence at the back end of winter. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from a middle gate and can slot in with cover and watch the speed battle unfold before him.
Plenty will want to roll forward here, with Luv A Duck, Melanie and It’s My Turn all drawn out wide and looking to come across, while Full Of Theories and Founex can boot through nearer the rail. Melanie contested some strong races as a three-year-old and her best form is good enough to feature in the finish here. A tricky draw could play havoc with her chances, but must be considered one of the main hopes. Similar story Luv A Duck who will need luck from out wide. He’s a model of consistency and goes in with an each way chance. Richter has drawn for an ideal run and will be better suited back on top of the ground. He’ll do no work in the run and is another with an each way chance. Doubt it ends there.
Nightstick was excellent at a recent Ballarat synthetic jumpout and looks forward enough to be more than competitive here. He can settle in the second half of the field and run on down the centre of the track in the home straight. With good speed in the race, he can be one of the strongest late in the piece. A genuine each way chance.
Currently, Nightstick is a $7 chance in the market.