Pakenham
Race 2 – Salsa Fellow
Jockey – Beau Mertens
1200m – Barrier 1
Improving three-year-old Salsa Fellow gets blinkers for the first time when he heads to Pakenham this afternoon. The gelded son of Blue Point was sound in stronger company at Flemington two starts back, before a good effort when runner-up in heavy conditions at Geelong three weeks ago. A recent trial in headgear was sharp, jockey Beau Mertens will look to hold the lead from the inside alley and be first turning for home on the big track.
Speed likely comes from the outside with Romani Ite Domum to work across from the chute start, while expect Warparty in gate three to apply pressure in the early stages. Romani Ite Domum strung two wins together before bumping into a smart one last time out, settling for runner-up at Cranbourne four weeks ago. He’s won a jumpout in the interim, drawing the outside gate could be the query. Strong claims. Grinzinger Pod sat rearward and proved a class above against the fillies at Caulfield last start, finishing over the top for a comfortable win. No surprise to see her measure up in this grade. Each way chances to Harpalee, who is rarely far away and Stormbourg, who was a length off Romani Ite Domum when first-up at Cranbourne.
Salsa Fellow will appreciate getting back on top of the ground today, but can’t afford to be slowly away from the inside barrier. His trial in blinkers was encouraging, and this race looks within his means. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Salsa Fellow is an $11 chance in the market.
Werribee
Race 3 – Turfaction
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1106m – Barrier 12
Four-year-old galloper Turfaction is second-up and fitter when he heads to Werribee this afternoon. The gelded son of Turffontein was sound when fresh at Colac a fortnight ago, hitting the line hard to grab third after coursing wide for most of the race. Things could pan out similarly today, jockey Mitch Aitken drawing the outside gate in a field of twelve and forced to go back in the early parts, looking to wind up and attack the line late in the home straight.
Not a great deal of speed in this, though expect Sharp Retort to punch forward from the centre and look to find the front, while Liberty London won’t be far away from and inside draw. Teresprit bungled the start on debut here over 1000-metres a fortnight ago, detached from the rest of the field before picking up and finishing fourth in a good effort. Up to this trip suits, but can’t afford to miss the start from the inside. One of the main chances. El Fortress was a solid runner-up at Echuca first-up before not much went right at Wodonga three weeks ago. Can bounce back with even luck, each way claims. So too Sharp Retort, who will get every chance from the front, and debutant Verdoux, who has shown ability at the jumpouts.
Turfaction has been dealt no favours at the barrier draw, likely to be among the tailenders when runners turn for home. That’s not an ideal scenario at Werribee, but expect him to be winding up and attacking the line in the final furlong. Can run into the placings without surprising.
Currently, Turfaction is a $7 chance in the market.