Benalla
Race 3 – Choux Beedoobee
Jockey – Celine Gaudray
1606m – Barrier 1
Resuming galloper Choux Beedoobee is immediately to a mile at Benalla this afternoon. The five-year-old son of Jimmy Choux has jumped out twice in preparation for today’s run, giving every indication that he’s looking for this trip and more in his second campaign. Jockey Celine Gaudray leaves from the inside alley and can find cover midfield, looking for room in the home straight to stretch out and run on.
Speed looks genuine in the early parts, with It’sreel, El Paso and Squaw likely to push forward and look for the top, while Brilliant Badger and Keeneland won’t be far away on settling in the long run to the home bend. Keeneland was beaten a narrow margin at this track/trip three weeks ago, with four lengths back to the third-placed runner on that occasion. The winner has since only been fair in stronger company, but a repeat effort from Keeneland will surely see him in the finish today. One of the main chances, but leave me out at the price. Millie De Lune and Charm Noir come through the same race at Sale a fortnight back, with the former going slightly the better from the tail. Expecting both to improve out in trip today, each way claims. So too It’sreel, who has finished runner-up in both career starts to date. Drawn wide but will go forward and get every chance from the chute start. El Paso next best in a race that is more open that the market suggests.
Choux Beedoobee will be better for the run today, improving out in trip later in his preparation. He’ll get his chance to settle behind runners today and run on in the home straight. Look for him to be picking up late.
Currently, Choux Beedoobee is a $46 chance in the market.
Benalla
Race 4 – Friday At Five
Jockey – Celine Gaudray
1606m – Barrier 4
Zoustar mare Friday At Five looks to go one better than her runner-up effort last start when she returns to Benalla this afternoon. The six-year-old mare was rock-solid when beaten under two lengths at this track and trip three weeks ago, leaving a similar gap back to the third-placed runner on that occasion. Jockey Celine Gaudray leaves from an ideal gate and can roll forward from the outset, looking to land in the first four in running heading into the home bend.
Speed is okay with Time To Chat and Make It Sweet to roll forward from outside Friday At Five, while a host of runners will be looking for the soft trail just behind the leading division. Boy oh boy, this is open. Hard to knock the winning the form of Make It Sweet, who is three from three in all conditions this preparation. Tricky draw but plenty of time to find her position from the chute start. One of many with a hope. Powerbound was an easy winner at Geelong two starts back before a sound effort in stronger grade behind Electric Impulse last time out. Back to this company suits, each way claims. So too Grand Sage, who comes off a last start win, and Top Arctic, who just keeps racing well. Could go on.
Friday At Five strikes a competitive event today but does draw for a lovely run behind the leaders. She’s racing in terrific fashion, just needing luck at the right time to get out and rolling in the home straight. Strong each way claims in a very open affair.
Currently, Friday At Five is a $10 chance in the market.
Benalla
Race 5 – Pittsburgh Pirate
Jockey – Jamie Mott
2100m – Barrier 4
Five-year-old gelding Pittsburgh Pirate gains a run at Benalla today, suited back to 2100-metres on a good surface. The gelded son of Pierro has been racing well without getting a result this campaign, finishing third behind a dominant winner at Geelong over 2400-metres a fortnight ago. That horse did a bit wrong when a beaten $1.22 favourite yesterday, but this looks a slightly weaker affair today. Jockey Jamie Mott leaves from gate four and can be positive early, looking to land on or just behind the speed in the nine-horse field.
Thunder Force has the speed to go forward and challenge for the top up in distance today, while Vadaboy draws for the soft trail in gate two, in a race that could be run at a moderate tempo. Mr I’m A Believer will be hoping that’s not the case, likely to find himself at the tail of proceedings heading into the back. He’d been racing well before pulling up with issues post-race last time, and no surprise to see him bounce back with the right race-shape today. Hardest to beat. Tajanis is right back in grade for today’s race, sharing the My Brother’s Keeper formlines with Mr I’m A Believer. Look for him to be winding up late. Fire Glo Too is another dropping in grade today, while Brungle Raider will get his chance to finish off if they do run along in front. Both with each way claims.
Pittsburgh Pirate gets his chance to settle handy to the speed and be right in the thick of things turning for home. If he settles under Jamie in the run, he’ll have a kick left in the locker for the last 200-metres. Strong claims to register a win today.
Currently, Pittsburgh Pirate is a $4.60 chance in the market.
Benalla
Race 5 – Brungle Raider
Jockey – Eoin Walsh
2100m – Barrier 8
Seven-year-old galloper Brungle Raider is seven weeks between runs when he heads to Benalla this afternoon. The gelded son of Rebel Raider bungled the start at Terang last time out, settling a mile back before hitting the line strongly at this distance late in the piece. Jockey Eoin Walsh leaves from towards the outside and will be hoping for a cleaner getaway today, wanting to stay in touch at the rear of the field before making his run in the home straight.
Thunder Force has the speed to go forward and challenge for the top with Pittsburgh Pirate from the outset, while Vadaboy draws for the soft trail in gate two, in a race that could be run at a moderate tempo. Mr I’m A Believer will be hoping that’s not the case, likely to find himself at the tail of proceedings heading into the back. He’d been racing well before pulling up with issues post-race last time, and no surprise to see him bounce back with the right race-shape today. Hardest to beat. Tajanis is right back in grade for today’s race, sharing the My Brother’s Keeper formlines with Mr I’m A Believer. Look for him to be winding up late. Pittsburgh Pirate is suited slightly back in trip following a solid effort last start, while Fire Glo Too is another dropping in grade today. Both with claims.
Brungle Raider will be hoping they run along in front to give the backmarkers a chance, likely to be giving a start when turning for home. He’s been kept fresh for this and will improve from the run, but look for him to be hitting the line again. Top four hope.
Currently, Brungle Raider is a $14 chance in the market.