Kyneton
Race 7 – Kyokushin
Jockey – Jack Hill
1460m – Barrier 4
Improving galloper Kyokushin is third-up and fitter when he heads to Kyneton this afternoon. The gelded son of Scissor Kick has been solid at two runs back from a long spell, chasing and just missing an odds-on favourite at Donald last time out. Jockey Jack Hill has drawn ideally in gate four and can be positive early, able to lob outside or just behind the speed heading into the back straight.
Speed is drawn inside with Wardy Boy and Soaring Eagle to punch through in the early stages, while Read won’t be far away when runners find their positions. The market has struggled to sort this one out, quoting seven of the nine runners in single figures. They’re playing very safe, but it does look an even race. Paris Affair resumes from a spell, yet to run outside the quinella in six career starts. Granted, five of those have been in maiden grade, but runner-up efforts behind Watadeel and Globe read well for most benchmark races. He’ll get back from a wide draw which isn’t generally a winning recipe at this track, but he’ll be strong to the line late. On ability, he can be thereabouts and shapes as hardest to beat. Sebastian The Fox finished well in a similar contest last time out and up in distance can only help his cause. He’s fit for recent racing and has won his only start at this track. In with an each way chance. Soaring Eagle will be better for the first-up run and can be in this for a long way. No wins from eight second-up attempts the obvious knock, but another with each way claims. Patrick and Read could run a place without surprising, while State Of Maine races well here. This trio look stretched in this though.
Kyokushin was only narrowly beaten when runner-up at Donald last start, with a big gap back to the third-placed runner. He comes here fitter again and up in trip looks to suit today. He’s drawn to get all the favours in the run, and any improvement from his last outing sees him in with a genuine winning chance today.
Currently, Kyokushin is a $3.30 chance in the market.