Ararat
Race 2 – Gijima Gal
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1306m – Barrier 4
Three-year-old filly Gijima Gal gets blinkers on for the first time at Ararat this afternoon. The daughter of Zululand has been sound in three career runs to date, boxing on solidly behind a smart one at Swan Hill last start, on a day where it was difficult to make ground on the leaders. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from gate four today and can be positive early, landing on or just behind the speed approaching the home bend.
Timeonlees has drawn to find the front from barrier three and has the early toe to do so, while Star Admiral and Serin could roll across and have a look for the top in the early parts. Timeonlees has placed in all three runs this preparation, bumping into a smart one last start when a distant third. The runner-up from that race has since run well and she should be able to control the race from the outset here. Hardest to beat. Golden Mikki was runner-up on debut at Swan Hill, beating home Gijima Gal by over a length on that occasion. He enjoyed a perfect trail there but may be forced further back from the gate today, needing luck in the early stages to slot into the front half of the field. A winning chance if things go his way early. Hard to enthuse others in a race that falls away quickly.
Gijima Gal is fitter for three runs this campaign and can settle closer to the speed from a good draw today. She strikes a weak race with only two other obvious chances, and the addition of headgear could be just the ticket to switch on today. A winning hope.
Currently, Gijima Gal is a $4.40 chance in the market.
Ararat
Race 5 – Stormsarrived
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
2206m – Barrier 11
Akeed Mofeed filly Stormsarrived is second-up and out in trip at Ararat this afternoon. The three-year-old galloper was sound on debut, finding 1400-metres too sharp at Ballarat three weeks ago and suited up to this trip today. Jockey Mitch Aitken has drawn wide and will drift back to the second half of the field, finding cover as the field passes the winning post for the first time.
Stablemates Ahab and Joffrey will punch forward from the outset and look to control the race, while Rumour Lane can roll across from wider out to find a forward position in the run. Baltic Way has drawn the inside alley and can lob onto the leaders’ back, enjoying the run of the race heading into the home bend. This galloper improved out to this trip at Geelong last start and is fitter for three career runs. He’ll do little work in the first half of the race and just needs luck to find galloping room on the home turn. If it comes, he’s hard to hold out. Last Raider has placed in his past three starts, just missing when out to 2600-metres last time out. Back in trip a query, but is racing well. Eclair Dancer next best, bringing different form from NSW.
Stormsarrived will appreciate steeping up quickly in trip today, able to settle into a rhythm and balance up to run home strongly. She’ll be better for the experience again today, but look for her to be running on late.
Currently, Stormsarrived is an $81 chance in the market.
Ararat
Race 7 – Berry Foxie
Jockey – Jack Hill
1606m – Barrier 2
Four-year-old galloper Berry Foxie looks to bounce back at Ararat today, staying at a mile third-up from a spell. The daughter of Rommel had been good when fresh at Warrnambool over 1400-metres, before unable to make ground from the back at Swan Hill last time out. Jockey Jack Hill rides from an inside gate today and can settle closer to the speed, able to land on or just behind the speed heading into the back.
Speed has drawn the middle with Furlanetto and I’m Airborne to punch forward and challenge for the top early, while Fiorente Spritz and Moon Yanco won’t be far away when runners find their positions. Firorente Spritz comes back to a mile today, boasting strong formlines around horses like Vivideel and Boyfromwye. She draws for a lovely run tucked in behind the speed and should have plenty left oin the locker turning for home. One of the main chances. Last start maiden winners I’m Airborne and Furlanetto have come in for some market support, leaning to the former of that pair. It will get every chance from up near the speed. concede a chance to Dandino Belle, who drops in class following a sound effort in 64-grade last start.
Berry Foxie comes here fitter for two runs this preparation and draws to find a forward position in the run. This isn’t the strongest BM58 she contested, and Ararat generally lends itself to those in the first four turning for home. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Berry Foxie is a $9 chance in the market.