Flemington
Race 2 – Electric Impulse
Jockey – Declan Bates
1400m – Barrier 1
Talented mare Electric Impulse is five weeks between runs when she returns to Flemington this afternoon. The four-year-old daughter of Cable Bay was solid when leading first-up at Bendigo before a forgive-run on a regrettable surface at Warrnambool last time out. A recent Ararat jumpout suggests she’s in terrific order heading into today’s race, where Declan Bates can settle one or two pairs back with cover from the inside alley.
Speed is drawn out with Fancify and Apache Song to roll across early, while Brazen Lady and Soaring Eagle won’t be far away on settling. Apache Song was a narrow winner two starts back before a plucky effort on-speed at Sandown when runner-up a fortnight ago. The winner came from last on that occasion and some nice horses couldn’t get past her in the closing stages. She can be in this for a long way. Belle Et Riche ran home well against the grain at Warrnambool two starts back before a sound effort last time out. She races well here and will look the winner at some stage. Fancify was scratched from Swan Hill in preference for this, while NSW visitor Fairway Star was good enough first-up to suggest she can measure-up here. Moor Mumm is flying, 1400-metres the query.
Electric Impulse will enjoy any juice in the surface at this early stage of the day and should receive a lovely run behind the speed. She has the class to win a race like this, and if Declan can find the right part of the track to run on, will take a power of beating. Strong claims in a competitive race.
Currently, Electric Impulse is a $10 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 1 – Over The Stars
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
975m – Barrier 1
Speedy filly Over The Stars looks to go one better than consecutive second-placings in the opener at Swan Hill today. The two-year-old daughter of Overshare has been good at all three race starts, game in the lead at her past two and may have found her right trip this afternoon. Jockey Mitch Aitken rides from the inside alley and can let his filly roll from the get-go, looking to pinch a break and notch a deserved maiden win.
Plenty of first-starters make for a tricky speed map, but can be confident that Tuxedo Miss will roll forward from the outside in search of the top early on. Just two other runners with race experience here and both have shown glimpses of ability. Tuxedo Miss couldn’t stay with Over The Stars up front at Ballarat but strips fitter for that debut effort today, while Whitson finished off well at Echuca two starts back when sent out as favourite. Of the debutants, both Hedonist and Menzah One jumped to the front and won their respective Ararat jumpouts in preparation for today. Expect them both to be competitive, leaning to Hedonist of that pair.
Over The Stars can use her high cruising speed to hold the front here and stay in this for a long way. She has the benefit of race experience over some key rivals and can take full toll of the inside barrier. Ready to win.
Currently, Over The Stars is a $3.60 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 2 – Moaksun
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
975m – Barrier 9
Improving galloper Moaksun is third-up and fitter when he takes on the 975-metre scamper at Swan Hill this afternoon. The gelded son of Akeed Mofeed was a shade disappointing first-up at Cranbourne in April, before a better effort second-up when chasing an all-the-way winner at Ballarat. He was over three lengths away on that occasion but left a similar margin to the third-placed horse, who has since easily won its maiden. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from the outside barrier in a field of nine and can find cover midfield or worse in a race with a predicted fast early tempo.
Sophast will jump and run from towards the outside of the line, while expect Anglesea Tilda and Boulder Jack to use the inside to punch through and settle handy. Sophast has been beaten narrowly at both career starts to date, going under as an odds-on pop at Ballarat a fortnight ago. The horse that beat him on that occasion does have ability, so no knock on the run there. Looks hardest to beat in this field. Final Countdown should get a lovely run from the barrier and have every chance to finish the race strongly. She was good on debut in January, anything close to that effort has her in the mix. Zuetoro debuts here on the back of two recent jumpout wins, and wary of the local Anglesea Tilda, who is first-up today after showing some ability last time in.
Moaksun won’t want to give too much of a start to the leaders given it ewas difficult to make ground down the middle of the track yesterday. The form from his last start stacks up well for this, a repeat effort has him right in the finish. Strong claims.
Currently, Moaksun is a $4.50 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 3 – Stormsarrived
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
2400m – Barrier 6
Staying prospect Stormsarrived is third-up when she steps out to 2400-metres at Swan Hill this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Akeed Mofeed has been pain at two career starts to date, finishing a long way from the winner on both occasions and needs an improved performance up in trip today. A recent Ararat jumpout was encouraging, jockey Maddi Lloyd comes into barrier six after scratchings and can lob midfield or better with cover from the outset.
A few will look for the top heading into the back, with Ahab and Topspin to get rolling in the early parts, while no surprise to see Vancouver Rain, Hasta La Peace and Everlasting Kiss thereabouts on settling. Everlasting Kiss had been racing well before a throw at the stumps and completely outclassed in Stakes grade at Morphettville a month ago. Back to this company is suitable and she can bounce back. Hardest to beat. Topspin is mixing his form, finding only Affluential better at Cranbourne three starts ago before a plain effort when well-beaten as an even money favourite next time out. Was much better when only collared late a fortnight ago, a repeat effort will have him in this for a long way. Concede each way chances to Flood And Fire and Outspeed, while an improved showing from Chimed wouldn’t surprise.
Stormsarrived should receive a lovely run just off the speed here and present to run on in the home straight. Her recent jumpout was encouraging, but she needs to bring that effort to raceday. Look for an improved effort today.
Currently, Stormsarrived is a $41 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 6 – Imapagethree Girl
Jockey – Jarrod Fry
1300m – Barrier 7
Talented galloper Imapagethree Girl is third-up and ready to peak when she returns to Swan Hill this afternoon. The four-year-old daughter of Press Statement has been sound in two runs this preparation, giving every indication she’ll appreciate rising to this distance today. Jockey Jarrod Fry leaves from a middle gate and can lob midfield or better with cover, able to chase after the leaders in the home straight.
Good battle for the lead, with Bravissima and World Action likely to roll across in the early parts, while Four Diva and El Paso Citie can use their inside draws to boot through and hold prominent positions in the run. Open affair. Flying Concello wound up from the back at Wangaratta last start, coming from last to pinch third on the line over 1100-metres. Up in trip suits and was a winner at her only other third-up attempt. Drawn for a soft run, one of the main chances. El Paso Citie was a winner two starts back before a torrid run at Murray Bridge a fortnight ago. Has the inside alley here and can use it to her advantage. Can be in this for a long way. Four Diva was a good return on the synthetic at Ballarat and was a second-up winner in her debut campaign, albeit on heavy ground. Each way claims. So too Magic Chloe, who is third-up and fitter after two sound efforts this time in, and Bravissima, who will get every chance from the front. Others with claims in a race that could go one of many ways.
Imapagethree Girl was a strong maiden winner at her only start at this track and strikes a competitive, yet winnable, race upon her return here today. She should get a lovely run from the gate and present to run on in the home straight. Dry ground and up in trip are both positives, she has strong claims on this race.
Currently, Imapagethree Girl is a $5 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 7 – Almonti
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 12
Dundeel gelding Almonti is second-up and fitter when he returns to Swan Hill this afternoon. The four-year-old gelding won his maiden at this track and trip last preparation when second-up, and his fresh effort at Ballarat four weeks ago suggests he’s primed for another solid performance today. Jockey Mitch Aitken has drawn poorly and will be forced back in the early parts, looking to find the backs of improving runners heading into the home bend.
Speed is okay with Sandblast and Bywaters Road to roll forward from out wide on the track, while Nama Dude and Jackie Moon can punch through and hold their positions from nearer the rail. Jayzeal comes back in grade following a solid effort at Cranbourne a week ago and has been racing consistently all preparation. Sticky draw to contend with but expect him to be thereabouts in the finish. Nama Dude was sound first-up before putting in a plain one last start. Expect him to bounce back with a better effort today. Similar Penny Bazaar, who was a strong maiden winner at Ballarat prior to flopping in stronger company three weeks ago. Southern native is another who has drawn awkwardly but with each way claims.
Almonti is suited out to a mile today and this isn’t the strongest race. His effort at Ballarat was good and he’s only better for the run today. He’ll need luck to work into the race, but in a race of few chances, he can notch a second career win here.
Currently, Almonti is a $4.60 chance in the market.