Kyneton
Race 4 – Sawbay
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1900m – Barrier 10
Ex-Kiwi filly Sawbay steps out in trip for her second Australian start this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Ghibellines was sound at her local debut, holding her ground to finish midfield over 1400-metres and giving every indication she’s looking for this distance today. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from a wide alley and will find cover in the second half of the field, working into the race from the 600-metre mark.
Speed looks genuine with all of Rowdy Girl, Foxby, Phair Plan and Son Of Grace to punch forward from good draws, while Mick Dundeel and Ex Machina will likely roll across from wider gates. Katerini is fourth-up today, having worked up in distance at each of her three career starts to date. She hit the line well over a mile last start after getting a long way back in the run. She’ll need luck from an inside draw if she goes back again today, but if they land closer on her, must be considered a winning hope. Mick Dundeel was good on debut at Geelong before pulling up with posy-race issues as a beaten favourite last time out. Expect him to bounce back. Ex Machina finished alongside Biden Time at Werribee last start, that galloper winning in town yesterday, while Subarctic has been around the mark in similar contests. Both have each way claims. So too Phair Plan, who’s run here two start back has good form around it.
Sawbay comes here fitter for her first-up run, looking suited up in trip today. Tempo will be key to her chances today, needing the leaders to get along in front to allow those back in the field to run on. If the race plays out like this, she’s a genuine winning hope this afternoon.
Currently, Sawbay is a $3.70 chance in the market.