Five runners across two venues points to a busy day for the Dwyer camp.
Sandown
Race 7 – Harbourmaster
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1800m – Barrier 9
Improving four-year-old Harbourmaster progresses to metropolitan BM70 grade today in the sternest test of his short career. The son of Cable Bay was an excellent winner last start on the tighter Lakeside circuit, running on from last to score strongly over a mile. The bigger track should suit this gelding and an extra 200-metres will hold no fears for the backmarker. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from an outside gate which is of no disadvantage given his mount will drift back from the jump. There are some handy types in this race and it looks to be run at a solid tempo, suiting those off-speed if the leaders go too hard. In a race of many chances, the unbeaten Tasman Park could prove hardest to beat, but must concede chances to The Nephew and Independent Road. Dwyer has raised the bar for his runner today and there is no reason to think Harbourmaster won;t measure up to this company.
Currently, Harbourmaster is an $8 chance in the market.
Race 9 – Not Enough Effort
Jockey – Maddie Lloyd
1000m – Barrier 7
Comeback galloper Not Enough Effort steps out for the first time since November 2021 where injury cruelled his five-year-old campaign. The ex-Busuttin/Young runner makes his debut for the Dwyer camp this afternoon, trialling well in preparation however placed under no pressure to stride out. Today’s run will give a true indication of how this gelding is progressing, trainer Dwyer unsure of how his newcomer will perform returning to raceday. There are many chances in this sprint event, chances given to Winsum, Unflinching and Moon And Back – but it doesn’t end there. Maddie Lloyd has drawn a middle gate and will look to camp behind the speed in the two/three-wide line. When fully wound up, Not Enough Effort is right up to this company but there are a few unknowns for a runner who has been on the sidelines for so long.
Currently, Not Enough Effort is a $61 chance in the market.
Werribee
Race 2 – Savvy Bee
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1429m – Barrier 3
Savabeel filly Savvy Bee looks to atone for her last start fourth where she found trouble at a key stage at Colac. The three-year-old was shuffled back to last on the rail approaching the home bend and set an impossible task, rocketing home between runners to miss by under a length. The extra furlong today will suit the Dwyer runner who will want to settle closer to the speed today and avoid any trouble. Mitch Aitken won’t want to be cluttered up when runners turn for home and will try to angle outside of runners and be strong to the finish in a race that looks within this galloper’s grasp. Race favourite Schiller Effect is hardest to toss here while Empress Of Sydney has trialled well for Team Hayes, who are having a good run at country tracks of late.
Currently, Savvy Bee is a $3.90 chance in the market.
Race 3 – Martha Lavinia
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1014m – Barrier 1
Maiden galloper Martha Lavinia has an excellent chance to scratch a mark in the win column today when she contests a moderate event in race three. The four-year-old mare has finished top-three in six of her nine starts but hasn’t found a way to win despite racing well. Jockey Mitch Aitken has a busy day ahead, riding here and then trekking out to Sandown for another engagement later in the afternoon. He leaves from gate one in this which will be advantageous if his mount steps well and can hold her position. There are many unknowns here with eight of the twelve starters on debut, but of the raced quartet Martha Lavinia looks mighty hard to beat.
Currently, Martha Lavinia is a $4.20 chance in the market.
Race 6 – Better Tomorrow
Jockey – Josh Cartwright
1429m – Barrier 10
Five-year-old gelding Better Tomorrow comes here second-up following a fast-finishing return at Stawell five weeks ago. The son of Lonhro caught the eye when he flashed home late from the tail in that event and looks ready to go on with it today. Dwyer has given him a tick-over jumpout between runs and will be suited by the rise in trip, jockey Josh Cartwright likely to drift back from a wide gate and finish strongly over the top of runners. There are four runners around the $5 quote in a competitive event, including Better Tomorrow, and the Dwyer runner will be hoping the speed battle is fierce early on to set up for a swooping finish.
Currently, Better Tomorrow is a $5 chance in the market.