Terang
Race 6 – Brung King
Jockey – Jaylah Kennedy
1206m – Barrier 7
Talented galloper Brung King kicks off his campaign over 1200-metres at Terang this afternoon. The gelded son of Crackerjack King won his first two starts last preparation, and has jumped out soundly in readiness for today’s race. Jockey Jaylah Kennedy rides from barrier seven and will be beaten for speed early, looking to slot in midfield with cover approaching the sweeping home bend.
Speed comes from Ice Symphony drawn towards the outside, while Prancing Spirit, Beour Bay and Home Rule will all press forward in the opening stages of the event. Competitive race. Beour Bay was sound at Flemington first-up behind Senegalia, that form looks very good after yesterday. She gets in on the minimum after the apprentice claim and could give them something to catch in the run home. Keitel is seven weeks between runs and is three form three when racing fresh. He’ll give them a start from the extreme outside, but if runners are making ground he can make his presence felt late. Prancing Spirit has ability and raced in stronger company last preparation. Yet to strike a blow first-up but no surprise to see him around the mark in this. Always Hapi next best, he’s jumped out well leading in and rarely runs badly. Good race.
Brung King lines up at 1200-metres for the first time today and his jumpouts suggest he’s returned in terrific order. He’ll corner for home midfield and be strong to the line. While he’ll be better for the run, he must be considered a strong each way chance.
Currently, Brung King is a $7 chance in the market.
Terang
Race 8 – Moscow Red
Jockey – Jaylah Kennedy
1606m – Barrier 7
Veteran galloper Moscow Red is second-up and fitter when she heads to Terang this afternoon. The ten-year-old daughter of Road To Rock has come through her first-up assignment in fine fettle and will enjoy getting over more ground today. Apprentice hoop Jaylah Kennedy leaves from a middle gate and will be beaten for speed early, looking to lob midfield or worse with cover throughout the run.
Navy King will bounce fast and look to cross the field from a wide gate in the early stages, while Etara, Cherlinde and Mark Of The Man will all want to take forward positions approaching the sweeping home bend. Open affair. Hasseltoff has been performing well in stronger races of late and is well-weighted today after an apprentice claim. His racing pattern makes it tricky to win but if they’re coming from the back at this stage of the day, he’ll be hard to hold out late. Aspen Colorado was very good when fresh in the Warracknabeal Cup behind an all-the-way winner. He boasts a good second-up record (4:2-0-1), can go close in this grade. Murray Factor is seven weeks between runs when he lines up today and does race well when kept fresh. He’s a chance on his first-up win. Concede each way chances to Navy King, who will get every chance from the front in his first go at a mile, and Etara, who has won two of her past three starts.
Moscow Red has performed well second-up from a spell previously and races at her preferred distance today. Any juice left in the track by this stage of the day will be a bonus, look for her to be hitting the line late. Could sneak into the top four.
Currently, Moscow Red is a $46 chance in the market.
Pakenham
Race 5 – Budd Fox
Jockey – Willie McCarthy
3200m – Steeplechase
Comeback jumper Budd Fox gets over the sticks for the first time in two years at Pakenham this afternoon. The gelded son of Foxwedge last competed in a steeplechase in April 2022, where he was narrowly beaten in this race by Valac, with subsequent Grand Annual winner Heberite ten lengths away in third position. Recent flat jumpouts have been inconclusive, but with the lure of jumps ahead of him, rider Willie McCarthy can switch the eight-year-old on and give a forward showing.
Tom Foolery gave a good sight from the front when runner-up behind Duke Of Bedford at Ballarat last Sunday, jumping the last on terms before being outsprinted in the final stages. He’s fitter and will be in this for a long way again. Fort Charles and Raise Your Sights were third and fourth in the same race, though a long way off the quinella. Both with present fitter here. Blood And Sand was sound at the same meeting behind Mighty Oasis, no surprise to see improvement from him.
Budd Fox is the class jumper in the field and his steeple trials have been good leading in. He was favourite in the Grand Annual before a long layoff, and can prove more than competitive in his much-anticipated return to jumping today.
Currently, Budd Fox is a $3.80 chance in the market.
Pakenham
Race 6 – Brungle Bertie
Jockey – Lee Horner
3500m – Spencer Steeplechase
Grand National winner Brungle Bertie gets back over the obstacles at Pakenham this afternoon. The hulking son of Canford Cliffs has been sound in two flat runs this campaign and is ready to face the jumps ahead of a tilt at the Grand Annual at Warrnambool. Lee Horner rides and will sit just off what looks a good tempo, warming up late and taking improvement from the run.
Stern Idol is three from three around Pakenham and gets conditions to suit again today. His effort on the flat at Sandown first-up suggests he’s returned well and he’s clearly the jumper to beat over this distance. Grand Annual winner Rockstar Ronnie lines up here but is one of a few looking for more ground. He’ll use this as a pipe-opener for Warrnambool. So too stablemate Riding High who has fitness on nhis side with a few starts on the flat. He can be thereabouts. Tolemac and Castrofrancaru will ensure a genuine tempo, both are capable jumpers. All will be hoping Stern Idol isn’t at his best to get their best chance.
Brungle Bertie will be suited over more ground next start but will benefit from the outing today. He’s in excellent order and is sure to be strong through the line late. Will still be going three furlongs past the post.
Currently, Brungle Bertie is an $18 chance in the market.
Pakenham
Race 6 – Riding High
Jockey – Will Gordon
3500m – Spencer Steeplechase
Veteran jumper Riding High gets back over the obstacles this afternoon following three runs on the flat this preparation. The ten-year-old son of Raise The Flag was sound in all three steeple events last preparation, placing twice and fourth in the other, and comes into today’s race in terrific order. Will Gordon takes the ride and can follow what looks a genuine tempo, staying close enough to the speed to make an impact late.
Stern Idol is three from three around Pakenham and gets conditions to suit again today. His effort on the flat at Sandown first-up suggests he’s returned well and he’s clearly the jumper to beat over this distance. Grand Annual winner Rockstar Ronnie lines up here but is one of a few looking for more ground. He’ll use this as a pipe-opener for Warrnambool. So too Grand National winner Brungle Bertie, who will only be getting warm late. Tolemac and Castrofrancaru will ensure a genuine tempo, both are capable jumpers. All will be hoping Stern Idol isn’t at his best to get their best chance.
Riding High will be better for the run today as he embarks on a Warrnambool path. He’s a clean jumper who won’t mind this shorter distance range at this point of his preparation. Strong each way claims with improvement to come.
Currently, Riding High is a $10 chance in the market.