Donald
Race 1 – Impending Love
Jockey – Tahlia Hope
1000m – Barrier 8
Three-year-old filly Impending Love has her second race start at Donald today, looking to go one better than her debut performance three weeks ago. The daughter of Impending sat three-wide the trip at Ararat but held second place behind a runaway winner, a good performance given others with softer runs were entitled to run past her late. Jockey Tahlia Hope is faced with an awkward draw here and will want to avoid another wide passage from the thousand-metre chute. There’s plenty of early speed in this with Headingly and Morning Darling drawn in the middle and Paulartes to boot-up from an inside gate. Headingly is first-up today having run soundly on debut in October. He’s jumped out nicely and is one of the leading chances in a very open race. Paulartes was ridden out to score at a recent Hamilton jumpout and is drawn to get a good run. She might be the best of the debutants. Concede a chance to another first-starter Kawaiisu from the Maddie Raymond yard, but you could make a case for most of these runners. Impending Love is right in this if she runs up to her Ararat performance. She’ll need a pinch of luck early on and will improve on whatever she does today. Had she drawn better she’d be a leading hope but remains an each way chance with even luck.
Currently, Impending Love is a $20 chance in the market.
Race 3 – Mckinsey
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1350m – Barrier 8
Manhattan Rain gelding Mckinsey makes his raceday debut over 1350-metres at Donald. The Henry Dwyer-trained three-year-old has had plenty of jumpout experience and is ready to gain race experience in what looks a tricky maiden event. Jockey Mitch Aitken will come out neutral from a wide alley and ride quietly towards the rear of the field. Archer County will roll across from the extreme outside and look to control things from the front. He comes through a strong form race at Ballarat last start and will find this easier today. Race favourite King’s Taj will get a lovely sit behind the lead from an inside draw and presents as hardest to beat. The Written Tycoon gelding has twice been runner-up from four career starts and comes here second-up and fitter. These two runners dominate the betting and look to have the race between them. Norma’s Fleet is on debut for the Dabernig stable and could be the knockout hope. The stable have a strong record when they saddle up runners in the Wimmera and shouldn’t be overlooked. Mckinsey will be better suited over more ground and will improve with racing. He’ll be winding up late and should pick off a few runners in the home straight. A chance to collect a cheque but waiting to back him another day.
Currently, Mckinsey is a $12 chance in the market.