Seymour
Race 3 – Deep Stream
Jockey – John Allen
2000m – Barrier 5
Four-year-old galloper Deep Stream sees heavy ground on raceday for the first time when he heads to Seymour this afternoon. The gelded son of Ghibellines has been well-beaten at two starts this campaign, but does present fittter third-up and with the addition of a tongue tie today. Jockey John Allen jumps from barrier five and can let his galloper bowl along in the early parts, looking to settle outside or just behind the speed heading into the back.
Not much speed to speak of here, opening the door for Benny Chips In to use the inside gate and rail through to lead the field into the back straight. Engeline was good at Pakenham when runner-up fresh before given no hope on a savagely bias Warrnambool track second-up. Just missed at Sale last start and out to 2000-metres doesn’t look to pull her up. Draws the outside here but will be strong late. Rich Curves is quickly to this trip second-up but did finish off well when resuming at Mornington. Each way claims. So too Shogun Express, who gets blinkers on at his fourth career start, and Prince Beejay, who improved out of sight when up in trip last start. Hard to enthuse others.
Deep Stream will benefit from a more positive ride today and no surprise to see him relish the rain-affected surface. He should turn for home in front of a few key rivals, and providing he can finish the race off, can improve into the top four in this field.
Currently, Deep Stream is a $35 chance in the market.
Seymour
Race 5 – Moscow Red
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 4
Veteran galloper Moscow Red finds a suitably wet track when she heads to Seymour this afternoon. The ten-year-old daughter of Road To Rock has been just okay at three runs this time in, but back to a mile and on a heavy surface should spark some improvement in this eleven-time winner. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from gate four after scratchings and can settle with cover towards the rear in a field of seven.
Speed looks good early on with all of Bors, Moon Lightning and Kiss Me Ned to challenge for the top from the start, while Tallawah can take a sit behind them in the long run to the bend. Moon Lightning was solid first-up when runner-up behind Co Co Van Winkle at Cranbourne, that horse has hit a purple patch of form and ran second to the Bendigo Guineas winner earlier in her preparation. Unknown on wet ground but that’s good form for this grade. Hardest to beat if she gets through the going. Bors is a horse we know will relish the heavy ground and comes here fitter for a plain effort in stronger grade first-up. Expecting a better effort today and must be considered. Paris Affair was good in similar conditions fresh at Geelong three weeks ago and isn’t without a chance from off the speed. Couldn’t talk you out of others in an interesting race.
Moscow Red is fitter for three starts this campaign and gets conditions to suit today. She needs to improve on her last start effort, but down in grade, back to a mile and with her toe in the ground, no surprise to see a better performance today.
Currently, Moscow Red is a $17 chance in the market.