Horsham
Race 3 – Hot City
Jockey – Tom Madden
2100m – Barrier 11
Four-year-old galloper Hot City is on the quick back-up when he rises in trip at Horsham this afternoon. The gelded son of Ilovethiscity ran on soundly at Manangatang last weekend, doing his best work in the last one-hundred metres when beaten under a length at 1550-metres. Jockey Tom Madden leaves from barrier eleven of twelve and can let his galloper roll in the early parts, looking to land in the front half of the field passing the winning post for the first time.
Blazing Guru and Ludo have drawn low and will look to hold forward positions early in the piece, while expect Mash And Gravy and Beatrice Cranach to roll across from out wider and settle handy in the run. Scorpion Bay has been runner-up at his past two starts, and arguably should have won at Mildura last time out when held up at a crucial stage. He should receive a lovely trail behind the leading division here, and with even luck looks the one to beat. Blazing Guru led at Warrnambool last start, forced very wide around the home bend by a riderless horse and doing a good job to recover and finish third. She should be able to find the front again today and give them all something to run down. Next best. Each way chances to Mash And Gravy, who just missed at Casterton two starts back, and Beatrice Cranach, who has been good at her past couple.
Hot City will need luck in the early stages to find his position from a wide draw, but is fit and ready for the rise in distance today. A soft track won’t hurt his chances, and in a moderate affair he can finish somewhere in the money. Each way claims.
Currently, Hot City is a $6.50 chance in the market.
Horsham
Race 8 – Spylark
Jockey – Melissa Julius
1400m – Barrier 2
Talented mare Spylark returns to Horsham in a heat of the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Series this afternoon, a fortnight after a plain performance that saw her well-beaten at Murtoa. The six-year-old daughter of Niagara was very good at this track and trip when fresh, beaten a lip in her first start for nine months, and looks to bounce back after last start’s head-scratcher. Jockey Melissa Julius leaves from gate two and can hold her position in the early parts, able to be in the thick of things turning for home.
Speed comes from the middle of the line, with Wilmott, Valois and Delicious Tycoon all looking to roll forward and control the race, while Sacramental and Spylark can lob on their backs throughout. Delicious Tycoon is third-up here having shown improvement behind some smart types last start. She’s never missed a place at this point of a campaign (3:1-1-1) and draws to find the front here. Will give them something to chase. Sacramental did a bit wrong but was still able to win second-up a fortnight ago. He just missed Kahhof when fresh, that horse went close to winning the corresponding MCC qualifier at Seymour last weekend. Can win again. Each way chances to Wilmott, who is shooting for a hattrick of wins, and Valois, who has been a model of consistency of late. Competitive event.
Spylark has the ability to win a race like this, but does need to atone for her last start flop. She’s drawn for a lovely run and if she can get out and chasing at the right time, will take holding out late. Strong claims.
Currently, Spylark is a $13 chance in the market.