Murray Bridge
Race 2 – Peaceful Protest
Jockey – Todd Pannell
2000m – Barrier 7
Raise The Flag gelding Peaceful Protest steps out to 2000-metres across the border at Murray Bridge this afternoon. Henry Dwyer’s four-year-old was sound first-up at Donald over a mile and has had a jumpout at St Arnaud between runs, where he was in cruise control winning his heat. Jockey Todd Pannell leaves from a middle draw today and will look to slot in with cover in the front half of the field.
Not a huge amount of early speed in this. Inner Sanctum is on a quick back-up from Port Augusta Sunday and will punch forward from barrier three, and expect Black Marmalade to use the inside gate to her advantage and position handy in the run. Prickly Prince comes through the same Donald race as Peaceful Protest, which looks the best form reference for a race like this. He finished over a length in front of his Victorian counterpart there, but probably had a better run in transit than the Dwyer runner. He was strong through the line and shapes as hardest to beat today. Crimson Vine is third-up and fitter, and the rise in distance should suit this galloper. Similar can be said about Whys, who’s had a number of chances in this grade. Both have each way claims.
Peaceful Protest will relish the rise in trip today and the big track will do his chances no harm. A heavy track may have been advantageous, but there will still be plenty of give in the surface at this early stage on the program. With an economical run throughout, the Dwyer runner must be considered a leading hope this afternoon.
Currently, Peaceful Protest is a $4.60 chance in the market.
Murray Bridge
Race 7 – Furioso
Jockey – Todd Pannell
2000m – Barrier 7
Five-year-old gelding Furioso returns to the flat today following three outings over the jumps since April. He finished strongly at Hamilton over 2200-metres at his last flat attempt, before immediately breaking his maiden in a hurdle event at Pakenham next time out. Todd Pannell rides the five-year-old from a middle draw today and will drift back in search of cover and a soft run in the early stages.
Make It A Double has the inside barrier and will boot through to sit handy throughout, while Leader’s Pride and Sirmaze will come across from out wide to keep him company from the outset. Mr Coyne and Difflin County have drawn for the box seats behind the speed and should get there from favourable draws. This is an open race. Hostess Susie wasn’t far away in a much stronger race at this track last start. Back to 2000-metres is a plus and the form around her is as good as any leading into this. One of the leading chances. Make It A Double is another dropping in grade here and is fitter third-up from a spell. If he gets his own way in the lead he can be in this for a long way. Leader’s Pride did too much work last start but was shaping nicely prior. He’ll need some luck early on but if he slots in with cover, goes in with an each way chance. Others have claims, but need to improve.
Furioso will use today’s run to get some miles into his legs as he looks to return to the jumps this campaign. He’s fresh for six weeks away from the races and has the ability to be more than competitive in a race like this. Back to 2000-metres might be a query, but in what could be a truly run race, he’ll be strong through the line late. An each way chance.
Currently, Furioso is a $5.50 chance in the market.