Stawell
Race 1 – Lupine
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
2000m – Barrier 2
Three-year-old galloper Lupine gets out to 2000-metres for the first time in is career at Stawell this afternoon. The gelded son of Tivaci was sound from a hopeless position at Kyneton last start, forced back to last before looping the entire field to run into fourth position. Up in trip looks to suit today, jockey Mitch Aitken able to land closer to the speed from a kinder draw this time around.
Speed comes from out wide with Quadratic to cross and look for the front, while Tough Judge and Encrypted City will push forward from nearer the rail to hold forward positions. Tough Judge looked close to a win before proving vulnerable out in front at Great Western last start. He was much better ridden with a sit in a good form race prior, and should find the box seat from a soft draw. First go at the trip but must be considered a winning hope. Becquerel was good from the second half of the field at Colac first-up and strips fitter for today’s contest. He’ll be forced back from a wide draw but look for him to be charging late. Each way claims to Sunny Times, who has been racing well over more ground, and Quadratic, who hits this third-up from a spell.
Lupine will appreciate stepping out in distance this afternoon, able to find the lead or leaders’ back from an ideal draw. His effort last start was much better than it appears in the form guide, no surprise to see him right there in the final stages today. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Lupine is a $4 chance in the market.
Stawell
Race 4 – Hot City
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1607m – Barrier 5
Promising galloper Hot City stays at a mile for today’s contest at Stawell. The gelded son of Ilovethiscity has been sound in stronger maiden company than he meets this afternoon, and comes here fitter for three career starts. Jockey Mitch Aitken rides from barrier five and can be positive early, looking to land outside or just behind the speed heading into the back.
Outsider Dizzy Barmaid will boot through and look to hold the front from the inside alley, while Lilidan will roll across from outside Hot City and could give Aitken a nice cart across early on. Goats On Oats will settle in the second half of the field, enjoying a soft run throughout the race. He was an eyecatcher at Colac last start, storming home from last to just miss the winner on the line from a near impossible position. Not sure of the strength of that race – we’ll get a guide when Becquerel runs in the first race today – but look for him to be closing hard late. Piglet has been solid at her past two starts, finishing runner-up over shorter trips. Out to a mile looks to suit and must be considered an each way chance here. Preservator has jumped out soundly enough to be a place chance on debut, contending with a sticky draw. Instinctive Spirit ran an improved race second-up and is the other top three hope.
Hot City strikes a winnable race this afternoon, only needing to hold his form to be in the mix. He’ll have a tactical advantage on a couple of his main rivals here, and if he offers a kick in the home straight, will be mighty hard to run down.
Currently, Hot City is a $4.50 chance in the market.