Flemington
Race 3 – Prairie Flower
Jockey – Ryan Houston
1200m – Barrier 1
In-form mare Prairie Flower returns to Flemington today following a successful stint in South Australia. The four-year-old daughter of Star Turn won twice from four starts at Morphettville, ending her Adelaide campaign with an unlucky third a fortnight ago when only getting clear late. Apprentice hoop Ryan Houston claims 3kg from barrier one, able to find cover from the outset and look to unleash a late burst.
Speed comes from Paradise City and Euphoria, while Niance and Moor Mumm won’t be far away on the grandstand side early on. Niance blew the start as a short-priced favourite here last start, recovering to be beaten under a length-and-a-half by Moor Mumm over 1100-metres. Moor Mumm is two from two this preparation but on even terms you’d think Niance turns the tables today. Both with claims. Wakanjeja was solid when fresh at Caulfield and has a strong second-up record (3:2-0-0). First look at the Flemington straight but cannot be dismissed as a winning hope. Puketiro was a horror watch for backers on her Australian debut at Mornington, never finding clear air and going to the line hard-held. With even luck she must be considered. Fearless Writer next best.
Prairie Flower is racing in terrific fashion and only needs to hold her current form to be in the mix here. Barrier one is the unknown at this stage of the day but if she gets the breaks at the right time, she’ll be hard to hold out late. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Prairie Flower is a $10 chance in the market.
Echuca
Race 1 – Deep Stream
Jockey – Jack Hill
2124m – Barrier 10
Four-year-old galloper Deep Stream is second-up and fitter when he steps beyond 2000-metres for the first time today. The gelded son of Ghibellines settled rearward when fresh at Ballarat three weeks ago, unable to inroads late over 1500-metres. Up in trip today should suit, jockey Jack Hill again being forced back in the early stages from a wide draw, looking to run on in the latter parts of the race.
Outsider Watch Point may elect to roll forward from the middle of the line, while Expeetee and Baltic Way can roll across from their outside draws and settle handy in the run. These two have been close-up of late and are likely to start as the top two in the market, in a race that does fall away quickly. Baltic Way has a hard luck story to tell from Ararat last time out as a short-priced favourite, held up at a key stage when third over 2200-metres. With even luck today he’ll surely prove hard to beat. Expeetee hasn’t been beaten far at her past two runs, both at a mile, and looks ready for the extra trip today. Should find a forward position off a moderate tempo and have plenty to offer late. Strong claims. First Appearance and Reading Royalty with place claims.
Deep Stream is quickly to this distance second-up and will get his chance to warm up and run on late. He’ll be hoping the leaders skip along to give those back in the field a fighting chance, and in a moderate event, should finish in the first half of the field.
Currently, Deep Stream is a $26 chance in the market.
Echuca
Race 4 – Wannon Rebel
Jockey – Neil Farley
1618m – Barrier 5
Resuming galloper Wannon Rebel kicks off his campaign over a mile at Echuca this afternoon. The gelded son of Rebel Raider has jumped out just once leading in, and will likely take a run or two to show his best over more ground. Jockey Neil Farley rides from gate five and can let his galloper find his feet early, settling midfield with cover heading into the back.
Speed is okay early, with Charcoal Annie and The Satisfyer to roll forward from towards the outside, while Arachidi and Lunar Landing can find forward positions from the chute start. Arachidi comes back a notch in grade following a good effort at Benalla last start. She was only a length astern of Slane on that occasion, who would start a short-priced favourite in a race like this. Hardest to beat. Delta Sky will be at the back of the field and running on late, and peaks here third-up. Both runs this time in have been good and out to a mile looks ideal at this point. Look for her to be running over the top of them late. This pair look hardest to beat, conceding place claims to Laurion and Ticket To The Moon.
Wannon Rebel will find a few of these too sharp at this distance range and improve over more ground later in his preparation. He should get a lovely run in behind the speed and take good benefit from the outing today. May sneak into the top four.
Currently, Wannon Rebel is a $16 chance in the market.