Mildura
Race 1 – Grate Crack
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
2000m – Barrier 3
Improving galloper Grate Crack is quickly to 2000-metres at his third race start this afternoon. The gelded son of Crackerjack King has had two runs at 1500-metres, sound on both occasions and giving the impression he’ll relish the extra trip today. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from a low draw and can settle closer to the speed today, looking to land one or two pairs back throughout before laying down a challenge late.
Ardsley and Special Spot will look to roll forward from their inside draws and settle handy to the speed, while Muktamil will likely find himself in the first four heading in to the back. This galloper has had two starts since arriving from the UK, just missing both times and gets blinkers for today’s contest. Crazy short odds, but is clearly the one to beat. Ring The Sherriff received no favours in the run at Donald last start, working home fairly in a nod to 2000-metres today. Doubt he can beat Muktamil, but each way claims. So too Ardsley, who can improve back on grass after being all at sea on the synthetic at his past couple, and Redevance, who’s no world beater but can fill a placing here. Others stretched.
Grate Crack finds a weak race outside the favourite and is ready to show something third-up and out in trip. A recent St Arnaud jumpout was encouraging and no surprise to see him thereabouts today. Each way claims.
Currently, Grate Crack is a $$$ chance in the market.
Mildura
Race 2 – Flying Celica
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1400m – Barrier 7
Toronado filly Flying Celica gets winkers applied third-up at Mildura this afternoon. The three-year-old galloper has been sound in two career starts, finishing on the heels of the placegetters at Seymour last time out over 1300-metres and looking suited slightly up in trip today. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from the outside gate in a field of seven and can look to land outside the leader in the long run to the home bend.
Not a stack of early speed in this, perhaps Pop Quiz and Lucky Duck can punch through and find forward positions from the middle of the line, while Supido’s Littleone can use the inside alley to hold them out from the chute start. Pop Quiz has gone close at her past couple, racing wide throughout at her latest and only nabbed on the line by a late swooper. She finished two lengths in front of rivals Flying Celica and Baby Bueti on that occasion, and anything close to that effort sees her hard to beat today. Baby Bueti is suited up in trip, making good ground at the end of that Seymour race. Each way claims. Bento Knight can improve second-up after pulling up with issues on debut.
Flying Celica is fitter for two career runs and can improve up in distance in a moderate race. She has ground to make up on one main rival here, but with even luck in running, she can go close in this. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Flying Celica is a $6 chance in the market.
Mildura
Race 2 – Bento Knight
Jockey – Eoin Walsh
1400m – Barrier 3
Three-year-old galloper Bento Knight returns to the races today, almost three weeks after pulling up with cardiac arrhythmia on debut at Ballarat. The gelded son of Dundeel has jumped out soundly at St Arnaud since then, and we’ll get a better gauge on how he’s travelling this afternoon. Jockey Eoin Walsh rides from a low draw and can let his galloper find his feet early, finding cover back in the field before looking to run on late.
Not a stack of early speed in this, perhaps Pop Quiz and Lucky Duck can punch through and find forward positions from the middle of the line, while Supido’s Littleone can use the inside alley to hold them out from the chute start. Pop Quiz has gone close at her past couple, racing wide throughout at her latest and only nabbed on the line by a late swooper. She finished two lengths in front of rivals Flying Celica and Baby Bueti on that occasion, and anything close to that effort sees her hard to beat today. Flying Celica is fitter third-up and gets winkers on today. She’s travelled well but been outsprinted at her only two race starts, and out to 1400-metres suits. Each way claims. So too Baby Bueti, who made good ground at the end of that Seymour race.
Bento Knight will take improvement from today, better suited out in trip later in his preparation. He’ll enjoy a soft run at the back throughout and can cart into the race on the home bend. Look for him to hit the line late.
Currently, Bento Knight is a $27 chance in the market.
Mildura
Race 5 – Imapagethree Girl
Jockey – Declan Bates
1200m – Barrier 3
Talented mare Imapagethree Girl looks to bounce back following a plain effort on the Synthetic three weeks ago. The daughter of Press Statement had been impressive when winning at Swan Hill the start prior, and back to turf today could be the key to a similar performance. Jockey Declan Bates rides from gate three and can look to settle on-speed, leaving a kick in the locker late over 1200-metres.
Dwyer stablemates The Siscos Kid and Imapagethree Girl have drawn low and can both settle handy in the run, with Lady Simone to keep them company in the early parts. Even race. Lady Simone peaks third-up for this having been solid in two runs at Morphettville this preparation. She can settle somewhere in the first four in running and no surprise to see her thereabouts in the finish. Backmarker Jet Jitsu races well here and is a good fresh performer (3:1-1-1). Soft ground okay and if the speed is on, he’ll be the one to hold out. Each way hopes to China Affair and Judge Kellie, while The Siscos Kid can feature on a drying track.
Imapagethree Girl will be hoping for an improving surface throughout the day, with all three career wins coming on good tracks to date. She can land outside the leader here and control the race, looking for a steady tempo to make it hard from those back in the field. On her best efforts, she just wins this.
Currently, Imapagethree Girl is a $4 chance in the market.
Mildura
Race 5 – The Siscos Kid
Jockey – Blaike McDougall
1200m – Barrier 1
Seven-year-old galloper The Siscos Kid is third-up and fitter when he sees turf for the first time this preparation. The gelded son of Danerich has been underwhelming in two Synthetic starts this time in, but a drop in grade and a return to grass could spur improvement today. Jockey Blaike McDougall leaves from the inside alley and can hold the front early on, looking to control the race and offer a kick late in the piece.
Dwyer stablemates The Siscos Kid and Imapagethree Girl have drawn low and can both settle handy in the run, with Lady Simone to keep them company in the early parts. Even race. Lady Simone peaks third-up for this having been solid in two runs at Morphettville this preparation. She can settle somewhere in the first four in running and no surprise to see her thereabouts in the finish. Backmarker Jet Jitsu races well here and is a good fresh performer (3:1-1-1). Soft ground okay and if the speed is on, he’ll be the one to hold out. Stablemate Imapagethree Girl was plain on the poly last start but the win at Swan Hill prior was impressive. Any track upgrade brings her right into contention. Each way hopes to China Affair and Judge Kellie.
The Siscos Kid can give this a real shake on his best efforts, and a drying surface will be in his favour today. If he can control a steady tempo and kick off the bend, he could give them something to chase late. Each way claims.
Currently, The Siscos Kid is a $16 chance in the market.
Mildura
Race 8 – Pittsburgh Pirate
Jockey – Declan Bates
2000m – Barrier 1
Promising stayer Pittsburgh Pirate is quickly to 200-metres second-up at Mildura this afternoon. The gelded son of Pierro was sound first-up at Ballarat three weeks ago, finding the mile too short but taking good fitness from the outing. Jockey Declan Bates rides from gate one and won’t bustle early, finding cover midfield before looking to finish off.
Speed looks good with Blushing Tycoon to roll across from the outside and look for the top, while The Nephew, New York Hurricane and Myers Reward can all punch through and hold prominent positions heading into the back. Good race. Hard to knock the winning form of Myers Reward, who shoots at a hattrick today. Drawn for the right run and will be full of confidence. No surprise to see him in the finish again. Torranzino has been ridden close to the speed at his past couple, unable to finish off late in the piece. He’s drawn wide and will be forced back, a better scenario for him. He’ll be strong late. Blushing Tycoon has been racing well without winning, while New York Hurricane and First Mate bring good form into this. All with each way claims in an open affair.
Pittsburgh Pirate will be better for the run again today, likely to find a few too sharp with race fitness on their side. He’ll enjoy a soft run throughout and can find the line late, could sneak into the top four.
Currently, Pittsburgh Pirate is a $20 chance in the market.