Hamilton
Race 6 – Brungle Raider
Jockey – Neil Farley
2200m – Barrier 1
Seven-year-old galloper Brungle Raider takes on the Hamilton Cup over 2200-metres this afternoon. The gelded son of Rebel Raider was good at Terang two starts back, before a sound effort against a vicious leader-bias at Benalla last time out. Jockey Neil Farley leaves from the inside alley and can look to punch through and hold his position early, landing in the front half of the field before looking to edge off the fence in the run home.
Lottaroc is likely to roll along in the early parts and find the lead from gate three, while Picaroon, Goliotus and Off His Roca can all find forward positions from middle draws. Picaroon was beaten the narrowest of margins in the Murtoa Cup seven days ago, denied victory in the steward’s room when protesting against the winner. She was held up for a long way on that occasion and clearly should have won, and coming here on a short turnaround suggests she’s come through the run well. Drawn for a lovely run and looks hardest to beat. Very even event from here, with all of Rebadge, Off His Roca and Lottaroc sharing each way claims, while Commander Harry can be thereabouts on best form. Good race.
Brungle Raider should enjoy a soft trail throughout today, just needing luck to get out and rolling at the right time. He won’t know himself with just 54kg on his back, and in an even bunch, can loom as the winner in the run home. Each way claims.
Currently, Brungle Raider is a $27 chance in the market.
Manangatang
Race 2 – Hot City
Jockey – Ryan Hurdle
1550m – Barrier 4
Four-year-old galloper Hot City is second-up when he heads to Manangatang this afternoon. The gelded son of Ilovethiscity was poor when failing to beat a runner home upon resumption at Ballarat three weeks ago, sent back to the trials before taking on today’s race. Jockey Ryan Hurdle draws for a lovely run from gate four, able to enjoy a soft trail throughout and get rolling before turning for home.
Speed is good early with Vancouver Rain and Autumn Rock to go fast from the outset, while expect Mercury Flyer and Artistic Gal to be thereabouts on settling. Plenty of convictions among this lot. Artistic Gal made steady ground from the back at Mildura last start and can find a position closer to the speed in today’s event. Her best efforts in South Australia have her finishing in front of most of these. Hardest to beat. Paulsin has been around the mark at Mildura and Donald of late, but couldn’t get close at Pooncarie between those runs. Can produce awful runs, and has had twenty-four goes before today, but mixes with okay efforts here and there. Each way claims. Share Our Secret next best, simply because he’s only had one start and assume he’s capable of improvement. Hard to enthuse others.
Hot City finds a very winnable race here, but does need to improve on what he’s shown in the past three weeks. Draws to get all the favours in the run, and will need to get going before the short home straight. Ability-wise, he brushes this field aside and wins comfortably, but we need to see it to believe it.
Currently, Hot City is a $4 chance in the market.