Caulfield
Race 5 – Gaze Grise
Jockey – Celine Gaudray
1100m – Barrier 9
Six-year-old mare Gaze Grise heads back to the races today, eight weeks after a plain last start effort at Bendigo. The daughter of Puissance De Lune has jumped out twice since then, winning on both occasions, and gets blinkers applied this afternoon. In-form hoop Celine Gaudray rides from barrier nine, and will look for cover midfield from the outset.
A few will look for the front here, with Mrs Chrissie to punch forward from a middle gate, while Catalina Black Cat and Overboost can settle handy from the inside alleys. Wide open race. Mrs Chrissie resumes today and boasts a strong fresh record (4:2-0-1). She’ll get every chance from on speed and is the one they’ll need to run down. Margie’s Boy was a strong winner down in grade last start, powering home from the back at this trip. If the leaders overdo things, he’ll be charging late. Master Montaro returns from Hong Kong and is another with a good first-up record (5:3-0-0). He’s been jumping out well, no surprise to see him in the finish here. Chances to Rubicon Crossing and Plus Fours. May not end there.
Gaze Grise has looked good in recent jumpouts and any give in the surface will do her chances no harm. She can enjoy a nice trail midfield and run on down the middle of the track late. A top four chance.
Currently, Gaze Grise is a $26 chance in the market.
Nhill
Race 1 – Flyball
Jockey – Jack Hill
1650m – Barrier 5
Three-year-old galloper Flyball resumes from a short spell when he takes on the 1650-metre start at Nhill on Boxing Day. The gelded son of Starspangledbanner was last seen over a mile at Swan Hill in September, where he improved under a positive ride, beaten three lengths by subsequent winner Wings Of Song on firm ground. Jockey Jack Hill can be positive early, able to roll forward and settle on or just behind the speed in the early parts.
Early speed has been affected by scratchings, giving Another Hero the opportunity to cross over from a wide draw and find a prominent position, while Stand By Me Ned will surely boot through and find the leaders’ back from the inside. This galloper has gone close at Swan Hill and Horsham at his past couple, and only needs to repeat those efforts to be right in the mix here. Hardest to beat. Sunny Times has been a beaten favourite at two of his past three starts, and is first-up for three months here. No surprise to see him in the finish. Hard to make a case for others.
Flyball gets his chance to strike a blow today in a race that thins out quickly from the main hopes. He’ll be up near the speed which is always advantageous at this track, how he handles the rain-affected track is the main query. A top three chance in a moderate field.
Currently, Flyball is a $3 chance in the market.