Sandown
Race 3 – Irish Butterfly
Jockey – Wiremu Pinn
2400m – Barrier 7
Track specialist Irish Butterfly returns to Sandown five weeks after his last start effort in the Warrnambool Cup. The O’Reilly gelding strung back-to-back wins together at this track and trip before his coastal sojourn, looking good at a recent Ararat jumpout to keep him ticking over for today. Talented Kiwi apprentice Wiremu Pinn rides from an outside gate and will roll forward in the early stages, looking to settle on or just behind the speed. The field has been hit by scratchings but there’s still solid early speed with Storm King and Fine Weather to jump quickly from the centre, while Mimi’s Award will kick-up and hold her position from the inside. In-form mare Jaykkayanne has won three in a row in lesser grade and tackles some more seasoned horses here. She’s progressive enough to suggest she’ll be competitive in this company and the market hasn’t missed her. A winning chance but cannot entertain at the price. Mimi’s Award ran second to Irish Butterfly two starts back before winning up in class at Flemington last time out. She’ll get a soft run behind the leaders and should have last crack. Storm King is on the quick back-up after an okay run in stronger grade last start. Heavy track is a plus and expect him to be ridden more forward today. Irish Butterfly loves the 2400-metre start at Sandown (3:2-1-0) and the wet track is of no concern to this seven-year-old. He’ll be forward in the run and comes in well after the apprentice claim. A genuine top three chance in a competitive event.
Currently, Irish Butterfly is an $11 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 2 – Fatal Shot
Jockey – Jack Hill
975m – Barrier 7
Shooting To Win gelding Fatal Shot comes back to 975-metres after a plain debut on the poly at Ballarat three weeks ago. Henry Dwyer’s two-year-old sat outside the speed in that 1100-metre contest but was beaten off upon turning, fading to finish fourth, some distance behind a runaway quinella. Jockey Jack Hill may elect to take a sit back in the field from an outside draw and look to finish the race off in the long run home. Speed will be willing in the early parts with first-starters Biosphere and Pride Of Sullivan both showing good dash in their respective jumpout wins. Expect these two to share the front while Love ‘N’ Run should get a nice camp behind them into the straight. This filly’s latest jumpout was good after being a touch slowly away. Drawn to get a soft run and looks over the odds in a race like this. Mansiere was ridden out in his latest jumpout at Flemington and responded well. He’ll find this easier than his debut at The Valley in December. Biosphere and Pride Of Sullivan will both have every chance from the front in a very tricky race to sort out. Fatal Shot is better than his debut run suggests and the stable will be hoping a grass surface can extract improvement today. He ran on well in these conditions at a Werribee trial in May, he’ll get his chance to peel out and chase after the leaders down the long Swan Hill straight this afternoon. An each way hope.
Currently, Fatal Shot is a $16 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 3 – Steller Eagle
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
975m – Barrier 3
Resuming filly Steller Eagle kicks off her second preparation today over the 975-metre dash at Swan Hill. The daughter of Russian Revolution failed to make an impact in three runs late last year but looks to have returned in good order, ready for today’s first-up assignment. Jockey Mitch Aitken can tuck in behind the leaders from a good draw, navigating to the centre of the track to chase in the run home. Universal Heart has shown good speed in her jumpouts and will come across in search for the lead while Silvagni will kick-up and hold its inside position. This runner won a recent jumpout despite racing greenly and doing a bit wrong. He has ability and if he can put it together on raceday will prove very hard to beat in an open race. French Witness appeared to have every chance when first-up but couldn’t finish off. She’ll be fitter for the run and can stay in this for longer. Universal Heart is the runner over the odds. Steller Eagle has impressed at the trials and jumpouts, connections hoping she can bring that form to the races today. She should get a lovely run in transit and can have the last crack at them down the long Swan Hill straight. A winning hope in a race of many chances.
Currently, Steller Eagle is a $6 chance in the market.