The Henry Dwyer Racing stable has five runners today in EXLOVER, TOP CRITIC, RIDING HIGH, THE DOMINATOR and STAR OF MANHATTAN running on Day 1 of the Swan Hill Carnival.
Swan Hill – Good (4)
This is Day 1 of the three-day Swan Hill Carnival. Most of fthe rain missed Swan Hill so we find ourselves on a Good 4. When Swan Hill is dry, it’s a slight advantage to be on speed but as the Carnival goes on and if we get some rain, that inside section will chop out.
Race 1 (12.15pm) Bet365 Top Tote Plus CG&E Maiden Plate
No.8 EXLOVER – Michael Poy (Barrier 3)
EXLOVER heads to Swan Hill today where he will resume in a 1200m Maiden. He has drawn gate three and Michael Poy will take the ride.
EXLOVER had two runs in his first preparation, showing good ability. He debuted in a reasonably strong race at Hamilton where he didn’t have the best run in transit. He sat outside a handy one at his only other run at Geelong and while he did weaken into third, the horse who beat him home into second (Arriva Diva) won two of its next three. His two jump-outs leading into this have been satisfactory and from gate three he should get a lovely run up on speed.
This looks a strong maiden today and he isn’t totally screwed down, so he will most likely need the run before we look to break his maiden next start.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $9.5 (as at 8am)
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Race 2 (12.50pm) The Bottleo Swan Hill F&M Maiden Plate
No.13 TOP CRITIC – Michael Poy (Barrier 11)
TOP CRITIC also heads to Swan Hill where she will contest a 1200m Fillies and Mares Maiden. She has drawn gate eleven and Michael Poy will ride.
TOP CRITIC could never get into the race first up at Kyneton and we are putting that down to the shifty track. She got well back in what was a very fast run affair and she may have just found that strong tempo a bit much to handle first up. She has been freshened-up since that moderate showing and has jumped-out quite well with the blinkers on, which she will sport for the first time today. This filly has her share of ability and she can certainly make the necessary improvement needed to figure in the money.
This isn’t an overly strong race, the barrier shouldn’t be too much of an issue and she looks to get every chance today if she can jump well and put herself thereabouts. A top 3 chance here.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $8 (as at 8am)
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Race 5 (2.35pm) Pooles Accountants Swan Hill BM64
No.2 RIDING HIGH – Lucinda Boyd (Barrier 7)
RIDING HIGH is the stable’s third runner at Swan Hill and will run in the 2400m BM64. He has drawn gate seven and Lucinda Boyd will ride.
Since his win in the Australian Steeplechase he has been ticking over nicely and is in really good order ahead of today. We have been quite easy on him and today is more about making sure he maintains some fitness for his next start over the jumps. We will probably look to follow the odds-on favourite who looks hard to beat here in ST ARNICCA, this is more of a maintenance run with any prizemoney won a bit of a bonus.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $18 (as at 8am)
No.10 THE DOMINATOR – Michael Poy (Barrier 5)
THE DOMINATOR is the stable’s fourth runner at Swan Hill and will also run in the 2400m BM64. He has drawn gate five and Michael Poy will ride.
THE DOMINATOR was plain at Cranbourne last start and we have taken off the winkers for this start. Like RIDING HIGH this is more of a maintenance run ahead of his next jump’s assignment, he will be ridden in the second half of the field and look to run home and hopefully make some ground late. He is on a path to the Thackery so a nice tick over run today to get him on track for that.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $34 (as at 8am)
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Race 8 (4.30pm) Kubota Swan Hill 3YO BM64 Handicap
No.13 STAR OF MANHATTAN – Michael Poy (Barrier 1)
STAR OF MANHATTAN is our fifth runner at Swan Hill today where she will tackle a 1200m BM64. She has drawn gate one and Michael Poy will ride.
STAR OF MANHATTAN has been very good in both runs this preparation. She got back and rattled home in the 5th best last 400/best last 200m split of the meeting on debut at Kilmore when running second. She quickly atoned for that defeat with a strong rating win at Bendigo last time out, again getting back before showing a nice turn of foot. Not sure gate one is ideal for this filly who hasn’t shown enormous gate speed in either run to date, but if she gets even luck in running then she’s more than capable of making this step in grade.
While she is still developing mentally and physically she has shown ability to date, she will probably look to go back from the barrier and Poy will look to pick his way through the field. A good chance in a strong race, she should give a good sight and will also gain improvement from the run with a view to go to town next start.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $5 (as at 8am)
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