Donald
Race 6 – Savvy Bee
Jockey – Declan Bates
1354m – Barrier 2
Four-year-old mare Savvy Bee looks to bounce back today following a troublesome trip to Adelaide a month ago. The daughter of Savabeel was fractious in the mounting yard on that occasion and perhaps should have been scratched when misbehaving at the barriers. However she was passed fit to run and performed accordingly, effectively retired from the race before the home bend. The mare has spent three weeks at St Leonards since returning from South Australia and has recovered well, heading to Donald in good order this afternoon. Jockey Declan Bates has drawn ideally in barrier two and can land two pairs back the fence with cover in the early parts.
Maccomo and Dixie Built will jumps fast from beyond the middle of the course and roll forward from the outset, while Royalz will boot through from an inside draw to keep them honest. This galloper was overdue her maiden win and duly saluted last time out at Sale, fighting on gamely in the concluding stages to score in a photo. Back slightly in distance looks to suit and she can go on with it here. Southern Native comes back in grade today and draws the inside barrier. Should get a lovely run tucked in behind the speed and presents as an each way chance. Justdoit looks the main closer, having run on strongly to just miss on the line at Moe. She rises in trip today and will take holding out late.
Savvy Bee will appreciate the drop in class today and a competitive showing is expected from the four-year-old galloper. She can be ridden with cover and Bates will look to get out upon straightening, winding up in the run home. If she gets the breaks at the right time, Savvy Bee must be considered an each way hope in this.
Currently, Savvy Bee is a $9 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 7 – Kyokushin
Jockey – Jaylah Kennedy
1204m – Barrier 9
Resuming galloper Kyokushin heads to the races for the first time since May last year. The gelded son of Scissor Kick was last seen in a mile handicap at Caulfield when beaten less than four lengths in three-year-old company, and will find today’s trip short of his best. Apprentice hoop Jaylah Kennedy will be beaten for speed early on, drifting back in the field from a wide draw today.
Plenty of early speed in this, with Overhymn and Champagne Sharon to leave fast from inside barriers, while Southern Gale and San Marino will look to sit handy from further out in the line. Overhymn was a dominant maiden winner on heavy ground at Wodonga last start, jumping straight to the front and never headed, winning by over five lengths. She’s drawn to lead again and if left alone in front, will be hard to run past late. Little Eagle was a strong maiden winner on debut in December, immediately sent to the paddock after that performance. She trialled well at Stawell last week, look for her to be running on late. Champagne Sharon won on debut and presents first-up here today. She went well at all three starts last preparation and will give herself every chance from up on the speed in this. Concede San Mairno is an each way chance back in grade.
Kyokushin has had a pair of jumpouts in preparation for today and will improve on whatever he produces here. He’ll appreciate the genuine tempo of the race and be warming up at the back end of this trip, looking to pass a few on the way home. A chance to collect a cheque for connections today, and looking to improve up in distance next time out.
Currently, Kyokushin is a $9.50 chance in the market.