Swan Hill
Race 1 – Peaceful Protest
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
2400m – Barrier 1
Raise The Flag gelding Peaceful Protest is third-up and fitter when he travels to Swan Hill this afternoon. The five-year-old showed good improvement up to 2100-metres at Horsham last start, and the extra ground today looks to suit this prospective jumper. Mitch Aitken leaves from the inside alley and can hold his position early, able to settle one or just behind the speed throughout.
Best Scenario will roll forward from an outside gate and look for the top early on, with Callawadda to find a position in the front half of the field passing the winning post for the first time. Callawadda was runner-up in the aforementioned Horsham race three weeks ago, hitting the line hard and just missing at his second race start. He was struck by another’s whip in the face once clear there and with even luck probably wins that race. Up in trip doesn’t look a concern, he shapes as the one to beat. Dandruff the other danger, arguably racing in stronger maidens of late. Others look stretched in a small field.
Peaceful Protest will relish the bigger track today and comes here fitter third-up from a spell. Up to 2400-metres is a plus and he should receive a soft run from the get-go. Any improvement on his last run has him right in the mix.
Currently, Peaceful Protest is a $4.20 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 3 – Gijima Gal
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1300m – Barrier 7
Improving filly Gijima Gal is third-up and fitter when she heads to Swan Hill this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Zululand was sound when fourth behind dominant winner Elphinstone at Ballarat last start, finishing less than half-a-length from the runner-up on that occasion. Up to 1300-metres looks to suit, jockey Mitch Aitken able to settle closer to the speed today from an ideal draw.
Speed is drawn inside with Just Rich Lika and Golden Mikki to punch forward and hold their spots, while Tosen Snowfall and Arewethereyet can roll across and find prominent positions early. Arewethereyet has shown ability at the jumpouts, winning his latest trial and getting blinkers on for his debut today. Drawn the extreme outside but has plenty of time to work across and find a forward position. Must be considered. Jackie Moon is another on debut here on the back of a recent Donald jumpout. He was third behind Elphinstone and Dark Skies on that occasion, who have both since won in maiden grade. No surprise to see him in the finish. Each way chance to Golden Mikki, who has jumped out well and looks forward enough to be competitive on debut.
Gijima Gal will have a fitness edge on a few main rivals today and peaks at this point of her preparation. She should get every chance to show her best in the run and with even luck can be right in the finish. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Gijima Gal is a $4.60 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 3 – Choux Beedoobee
Jockey – Jack Hill
1300m – Barrier 12
Four-year-old galloper Choux Beedoobee makes his racetrack debut at Swan Hill this afternoon. The gelded son of Jimmy Choux has jumped out twice in preparation for today, the latest a sound effort when finishing nicely on the grass at Ballarat. Jockey Jack Hill has drawn wide and will be forced back in the early stages, looking to balance up and hit the line late in the long run home.
Speed is drawn inside with Just Rich Lika and Golden Mikki to punch forward and hold their spots, while Tosen Snowfall and Arewethereyet can roll across and find prominent positions early. Arewethereyet has shown ability at the jumpouts, winning his latest trial and getting blinkers on for his debut today. Drawn the extreme outside but has plenty of time to work across and find a forward position. Must be considered. Xaphan is on the quick back-up following an okay run at Avoca on Saturday. She was good when fresh at Warracknabeal the start prior, and has claims on that effort. Jackie Moon is another on debut here on the back of a recent Donald jumpout. He was third behind Elphinstone and Dark Skies on that occasion, who have both since won in maiden grade. No surprise to see him in the finish. Each way chance to Golden Mikki, who has jumped out well and looks forward enough to be competitive on debut.
Choux Beedoobee finds a suitable race to begin his career today, albeit his task is made difficult by an awkward draw. He’ll be better for the experience, and no surprise to see him warming up and hitting the line hard late in the piece. Look for a solid closing effort.
Currently, Choux Beedoobee is a $17 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 5 – Berry Foxie
Jockey – Jack Hill
1600m – Barrier 12
Four-year-old mare Berry Foxie is four weeks between runs when she heads to Swan Hill this afternoon. The daughter of Rommel was sound first-up at Warrnambool over 1400-metres, and will appreciate the step-up to a mile on a big track today. Jockey Jack Hill has drawn wide and will be forced back in the early parts, looking to wind up and make ground in the long home straight.
Speed is okay with Jefferson to punch through from the inside and hold his position heading into the back, while Koyuga Breeze, I Never Dreamed, Huguenot and Jayzeal will all roll forward and have a look early on. I Never Dreamed comes back in grade today following sound efforts at both runs this preparation, having her first crack at 1600-metres today. She draws for a lovely run up near the front and only needs to hold recent form to go very close here. Hardest to beat. Koyuga Breeze won his maiden at this track/trip last time out, the runner-up on that occasion has since won easily at Mornington. That’s good form for this. Each way claims to Do This All Day, who was good at this track and distance last time out, and backmarker Headlock, who will be running on late.
Berry Foxie has had a quiet time between runs and will improve from whatever she does today. She’ll get her chance to balance up and run home from the bend, just how far back she gets in the run could make her task tricky. Look for her late.
Currently, Berry Foxie is a $7.50 chance in the market.