Flemington
Race 4 – Irish Butterfly
Jockey – Jye McNeil
2600m – Barrier 11
Consistent gelding Irish Butterfly gets out to 2600-metres on soft ground at Flemington this afternoon. The seven-year-old son of O’Reilly has had three weeks between runs, ticking over in a hurdle trial since his infamous runner-up effort at Sandown behind Strawberry Rock. Jye McNeil hops on for the first time today and will roll across from an outside gate in search for a position outside or just behind the lead.
Mystery Island has good early speed and will look to cross to the rail from barrier eight, while Rolls won’t be far away when runners find their positions. Rolls was good when runner-up here a fortnight ago behind Port Guillaume, settling further back than usual and running on gamely. He’ll be further forward today and will run out a strong 2600-metres. He’s one of several with a winning hope. Port Guillaume returned to flat racing with a win here last start and will have taken confidence from the performance. No reason he can’t be in the finish again today. Mystery Island was brave at Swan Hill last start, beating all bar Wuddzz who found the better going that day. He can give them all something to chase from the front here. Concede a chance to Teewaters who is racing well.
Irish Butterfly is racing in terrific fashion and will eat up the extra distance on offer today. A senior jockey goes on and he’s in very well at the weights with 54kg. McNeil can give him every chance from up on speed and prove hard to run down in the home straight. A winning chance in a competitive race.
Currently, Irish Butterfly is a $5.50 chance in the market.
Flemington
Race 9 – Brung King
Jockey – Jye McNeil
1600m – Barrier 6
Talented three-year-old Brung King gets out to a mile for the first time this afternoon when he returns to Flemington for the Silver Bowl Series Final. The gelded son of Crackerjack King was excellent winning here last start, pinning the ears back and savaging the line to get up in the last stride over 1400-metres. Everything we’ve seen to date suggests he’ll be better at 1600-metres, and jockey Jye McNeil can give him a lovely run midfield from a good draw.
Speed comes from Mr Mojo Risin’ who will punch forward from his inside barrier, while Golden Path won’t be far away in the early stages. The latter was very good when beaten 0.1-lengths by Hard To Cross at Sandown last start, the two pairing off and easily beating the rest of the field there. Both have each way claims on this race today. Lounge Bar Rubi ran third behind Brung King two starts back before winning strongly at Caulfield last Saturday. He’s on the quick back-up but can’t be ignored. Hellfire made many lengths behind Brung King last time out and races like he wants the mile trip. Another with an each way chance.
Brung King has had a jumpout between runs and is a galloper in form. He’s won three of his past four starts and the stable have had their eye on this race for a while. The form from his last start win has held up strongly and there’s nothing to say he won’t continue on his winning ways this afternoon. Goes on top.
Currently, Brung King is a $4 chance in the market.
Echuca
Race 3 – Pressure Cooker
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 8
Three-year-old galloper Pressure Cooker steps up quickly to a mile today following a sound debut effort at Swan Hill. The gelded son of Adelaide worked home fairly over 1200-metres on that occasion and will be better suited out over more ground this afternoon. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from barrier eight, looking to slot in midfield or worse with cover and enjoy a soft run throughout.
Jazzamatazz and Nicstar will jump quickly and be in the first few settling down, while Appealing won’t be far away early. This mare has been seven-times placed from her eight career runs – runner-up in six – and is busting for a win. She’ll start a short-priced favourite and is the one to beat here. Sydney Gal improved last start when up in distance and looks ready for the mile trip. She’s in with an each way show. Live Life Loud sat up on-speed at Swan Hill and kept kicking last start. Drawn wide here but can run top-three.
Pressure Cooker will appreciate the rise in distance today and will have taken improvement from his first-up run. He’ll get back in the run and have the opportunity to wind up and run home from the bend. While he’s likely better over even further, it would be no surprise to see him run into the top four this afternoon.
Currently, Pressure Cooker is a $14 chance in the market.
Echuca
Race 6 – Rock Dee Jay
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 9
Awesome Rock gelding Rock Dee Jay is second-up and fitter at Echuca this afternoon. Dwyer’s four-year-old galloper was sound at Donald first-up at this trip and will be better for the run today. Jockey Mitch Aitken will look for a midfield position with cover from a wide alley, needing luck in the early parts to find a back to follow.
Stirrup and Trust In Rosie will go forward from their inside draws while Aeecee Supreme could be prominent in the run first-up. Even race with a few chances, headed by Gusmao who was solid at Swan Hill first-up. He’s a consistent performer who finds it hard to win, but comes here second-up and will be strong from the back late. Nasdana is another who has plenty of placings to her name without finding the winner’s stall regularly. She’s drawn for a nice run and it would be no surprise to see her in the finish. Bella Nights has finished runner-up at her past two, the form from her last start being franked by Bonjour at Warracknabeal yesterday. She’s another with a winning hope. It probably doesn’t end there.
Rock Dee Jay will take further improvement from today’s run and peak third-up next time out. That said, he’s placed when second-up previously and if the middle of the track is the place to be, he’ll be running on strongly in the closing stages. An each way hope.
Currently, Rock Dee Jay is a $13 chance in the market.