A maiden runner in Adelaide and a star sprinter up the Flemington straight represent the stable on a cracking Saturday of racing.
Flemington
Race 9 – Asfoora
Jockey – John Allen
1100m – Barrier 2
Stable star Asfoora returns to the races a fortnight after her blistering win in Group-2 company at Caulfield. Today the four-year-old meets the Flemington straight for the first time, back to her own sex in a quality Group-3 sprinting contest at headquarters. John Allen rides from an inside gate which can play against runners late in the day, but the speedy mare has enough early speed to lead and Allen should be able to find whichever part of the track he desires. She rises 5kg from her last start demolition and hasn’t raced on a (potentially) heavy track before, but this daughter of Flying Artie is racing in magnificent fashion and it would take a brave punter to bet against her here. Of her rivals, Zapateo looks the main danger for James Cummings and conceding a chance to Waller’s Written Beauty.
From the trainer:
She’s going super. If anything, she’s come on again since her last win.
She’s going to be mighty hard to beat.
A soft-7 or heavy-8 track won’t disadvantage her at all.
Currently, Asfoora is a $3.20 chance in the market.
Morphettville
Race 3 – Pannier
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1100m – Barrier 4
Three-year-old gelding Pannier has been sent to Adelaide to kick off his preparation, where he finds a firmer track than anything on offer in Victoria in the current climate. The son of Tavistock had just one start in his two-year-old campaign where he wasn’t disgraced in a race that has produced multiple winners since the event. A recent Echuca trial has the Dwyer runner ready to perform first-up in a tricky race of many chances. Sue and Jason Jaensch’s Portation has it’s hoof firmly on the till after being nosed out at his last two, while Zufasta and Arty Miss won’t remain maidens for long. Jockey Maddy Lloyd claims 2kg from a good draw where she can settle midfield with cover and look to finish strongly into the money.
From the trainer:
He’s a nice horse, he’s better than maiden grade.
I think he’ll be very competitive over there.
Currently, Pannier is a $10 chance in the market.