Ararat
Race 6 – Rising Sun
Jockey – Ryan Hurdle
1100m – Barrier 3
Four-year-old galloper Rising Sun looks to bounce back following a disappointing first-up effort at Ballarat. The Fighting Sun gelding travelled well in the run on that occasion but found little when the sprint went on, dropping out to finish at the tail of the field. He comes back to 58-grade for today’s contest, and jockey Ryan Hurdle can be positive from a low draw, able to hold a position on or near the speed throughout today.
Speedy race, with Nina Carmella to boot through from the inside alley while O’whatapicture and Essentric Nature will go fast from deeper on the course. Stellar Mofeed won her maiden first-up last preparation before racing in much stronger company for the rest of her campaign. She’s jumped out well leading into today and should get a soft run tucked in behind the speed. Major claims. Essentric Nature was sound in his two-year-old season, winning on debut before proving competitive thereafter. Sticky draw to contend with but can’t be discounted. Last start winner Zipitup who could be ready to go on with it. Even race.
Rising Sun has the ability to win a race like this and has drawn ideally for today’s race. He needs only to reproduce his debut winning effort to be right in the mix here. Chance.
Currently, Rising Sun is a $15 chance in the market.
Ararat
Race 8 – Friday At Five
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 4
Zoustar mare Friday At Five returns to the races today, five weeks after a plain effort in stronger company at Kyneton. The five-year-old galloper had been racing well prior, winning at Mornington and Hanging Rock, splitting those runs with a solid effort in metropolitan grade. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from an ideal draw and can find a forward position in the early stages of the mile event.
Tempo looks genuine early on with Wise Legend and Luv The Bool to punch forward from inside gates, while Recreant, Kathy’s Beau and Brooklyn Boss will be in the firing line heading into the back straight. Brooklyn Boss has been racing well in stronger grade, boasting a close second-placing behind Ceerseven over this trip three starts back. He draws for a lovely run here, and a repeat of that effort sees him very hard to beat in this. Recreant is first-up for ten weeks and is twice a fresh winner. He’s in well after an apprentice claim and could take catching if he finds the front. Armstrong Bay was very good at this track last start, finding the line strongly after taking a while to balance up. The extra distance can only be a positive, he’s in the mix. Each way claims to Kathy’s Beau and Luv The Bool in an even race.
Friday At Five has had a freshen-up since Kyneton and should receive a plum trail behind the leaders today. She’ll be better next time out, but must be considered an each way hope in this company.
Currently, Friday At Five is a $12 chance in the market.