Donald
Race 1 – Berry Foxie
Jockey – Jack Hill
1620m – Barrier 3
Four-year-old mare Berry Foxie has had a month between runs when she heads to Donald this afternoon. The daughter of Rommel was very good from the back at Geelong two starts back before a bit of a plain effort on the poly at Ballarat last time out. She was slow into stride on that occasion and jockey Jack Hill will want to begin cleaner today, finding a position midfield with cover.
Bella Wish will begin fast and roll across from her wide draw with Manhattan Breeze, while Suprendre showed speed on debut and can boot through from a favourable barrier. First-starter Aki gets blinkers and is another who will look to be positive from out wider on the course. This galloper has shown ability at the jumpouts and shapes as hardest to beat in what appears a skinny race. Bella Wish wasn’t far away when back to this trip last start and will give herself every chance from up on speed. Hard to make a case for any others, perhaps an each way chance to Wholesome, though her jumpouts have been fair at best..
Berry Foxie needs only to run up to her performance at Geelong to be a major player in this. She should get a nice run throughout and can blend into the race rounding the home turn. If she gets the right cart into the race, she can be winning this and progress from maiden grade.
Currently, Berry Foxie is a $4.60 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 3 – Lupine
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1350m – Barrier 12
Three-year-old galloper Lupine heads to the races for the first time over 1350-metres at Donald today. The gelded son of Tivaci has had plenty of jumpout experience, his latest effort a second-placed finish at Colac on heavy ground over 1000-metres. Jockey Mitch Aitken will be forced back from a wide draw, looking to find cover in the second half of the field.
Famous Strike will use the inside alley to punch through and contest for the lead early, while Ponty Well and Navajo Warrior won’t be far away heading into the sweeping bend. Awash was ridden positively at this track and trip last start, settling second in the run and holding that position to the line behind an all-the-way winner. He sets up for a nice run behind the leaders here and is a chance to go one better. Splash Back was good on debut off a tough run, hanging on for third at Geelong over this distance. She’s drawn for a softer run here and will be fitter for the outing. The form from that race has since been franked, and she presents as a winning hope today. Ponty Well was sound over 1200-metres first-up and should be able to find the front off a steadier tempo up in trip. She has each way claims. So too does Navajo Warrior who is five-times placed from seven race starts.
Lupine will be better suited out over more ground and will take improvement from the run today. He’ll get back and wind up late, Aitken looking for clear room rounding the home bend. He’ll likely find a few of these too speedy over this trip, but look for him to be working through the line late in the race.
Currently, Lupine is a $16 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 4 – Kyokushin
Jockey – Jack Hill
1350m – Barrier 3
Scissor Kick gelding Kyokushin is second-up at Donald today, following an encouraging effort at the same track when fresh three weeks ago. The five-year-old galloper settled last over 1200-metres on that occasion, running on strongly late down the middle of the track to finish fourth, beaten under two-lengths. The rise in trip will suit this afternoon, and jockey Jack Hill can take closer order form a good draw in a small field.
Rivivy Kenz looks as likely as any to lead this, rolling across from his outside draw to be prominent in the run. Awol gets the blinkers reapplied today, signalling they may be more forward with this galloper today. He’s been sound at two runs back from a spell, not having the best of luck at his latest around some in-form horses. A change of fortunes today sees him as the one to beat. Pentegra ran on from last to finish third in Awol’s race, just behind Ceerseven and subsequent winner Always Hapi. As usual, he won’t be far away. Keefneedsafeed was doing his best work on the line back in trip last start. No surprise to see him improve second-up and out to this trip.
Kyokushin was a long time away from the track before his first-up run and has taken improvement from that effort. He’s up in grade here but presents fitter, and should receive a lovely run throughout the event. An top three chance in a tricky little race.
Currently, Kyokushin is a $5.50 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 7 – Savvy Bee
Jockey – Jack Hill
1620m – Barrier 1
Four-year-old galloper Savvy Bee returns to the races following an indifferent seven weeks for the mare. The daughter of Savabeel was agitated prior to her run in Adelaide and ran accordingly, before being scratched at the barriers at this track three weeks ago. She has since been to the jumpouts and performed satisfactorily, and a forward showing is expected today. Jack Hill leaves from the inside gate and can sit in the box seat behind the leaders throughout the event.
Sandblast will roll across from his wider draw and look to take up the lead from the outset. He was best of the on-pace runners last start and if given the right run in front, can be in this for a long way. Slate is first-up on the back of a solid jumpout, bosting form around some handy types last preparation. His best will be over further, but he’s the class factor in this race. Sonic The Hedgehog is another fresh runner resuming after some solid jumpout efforts. He can roll forward and make his own luck on-speed. He’s in the each way mix. So too is Limbering, who has been close up in two runs this preparation. Others wouldn’t surprise in an open affair.
Savvy Bee has the ability to win a race of this nature and draws for a good run throughout. Hill will be looking for galloping room rounding the home bend and if the leaders give a kick, can get a lovely cart into the race. In a race of many hopes, she shapes as a solid each way chance.
Currently, Savvy Bee is a $4.20 chance in the market.