Horsham
Race 1 – Peaceful Protest
Jockey – John Allen
2100m – Barrier 1
Six-year-old galloper Peaceful Protest gets blinkers for the first time when he heads to Horsham this afternoon. The gelded son of Raise The Flag was beaten a big margin first-up at Geelong three weeks ago, but faces just four rivals in far weaker event today. Jockey John Allen can use the inside alley to hold his position from the outset, looking to land in front or outside the speed throughout.
Vizie is the clear danger in this field, likely to settle on-speed and prove hard to get past. Her last three starts have been good stepping up in distance, beaten a length or less on each occasion. Short in the market but with reason. Irlandais looks the other feasible chance in the race, racing beyond 2000-metres for the first time. He should be able to relax with cover and have the last crack. Hard to enthuse the other pair.
Peaceful Protest finds the right race today and can use the inside draw to his advantage. If he can settle in blinkers at the head of the field he can give a good sight on best form. Gets his chance here.
Currently, Peaceful Protest is a $5 chance in the market.
Horsham
Race 6 – Flying Celica
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1800m – Barrier 10
Four-year-old mare Flying Celica comes back in grade for today’s contest at Horsham. The daughter of Toronado was fair off a let-up at Warrnambool three weeks ago, having won a jumpout leading into that race and should be ready to perform today. Jockey Mitch Aitken draws awkwardly in barrier ten, looking to find a way across the field in the early parts and land outside the lead passing the post the first time.
Any Luck will likely roll forward from towards the outside and give Flying Celica a cart into the race, while expect Lichester and Sanctimonious to boot through from nearer the inside and hold forward positions. Open affair. Palentino Heights finished alongside subsequent winner Think I’m Famous at Warrnambool last time out, and a length in front of Flying Celica. Comes here second-up and should receive a lovely trail behind the speed. Hardest to beat. Lichester was runner-up at this track and trip seven days ago, beaten a length in similar company. She draws for the right run again and shapes as one of the main contenders. Each way hopes to What A Flirt, who gets to this trip for the first time, and Any Luck, who should be right there on best efforts.
Flying Celica comes back slightly in grade for today’s race, blinkers going on for the first time. Her chances are somewhat compromised with the wide gate, but if Mitch can get her across without spending too many tickets, she can be fighting out the finish. Each way claims.
Currently, Flying Celica is a $10 chance in the market.