Moonee Valley
Race 6 – Wuddzz
Jockey – Jye McNeil
2500m – Barrier 3
Ex-kiwi galloper Wuddzz sees Moonee Valley for the first time this afternoon, heading back to the races after a seven-week let-up. Dwyer’s five-year-old gelding was last seen winning in this grade during the Swan Hill carnival, eating up the 2400-metres on soft ground to score by three lengths. Jockey Jye McNeil leaves from an inside draw today and will settle in the second half of the field with cover.
Speed battle will be spirited in the early parts, with a swag of runners looking to take up forward positions in the run. Goliotus and Claidheamh Mor can boot through from inside gates, while Bainbridge and Strawberry Rock will roll across from out wide. Thorin has plenty of early speed and will look to lead from the middle, alongside Jaykayann who gets blinkers applied today. Strawberry Rock was a strong winner two starts back before a solid showing up in class at Randwick five weeks ago. He gets in well with an apprentice claim and if he can find a position early, shapes as hardest to beat. Thorin deserved his victory last start and could go on with it here. Makes his own luck on speed and will again give a sight. Jaykayann was shooting for four in a row last start but put in a plain one. Expect improvement from her. Hard to knock the winning form of Look Sharpish, albeit in weaker grade.
Wuddzz will need to perform on top of the ground with an improving track throughout the day. He should get a soft run back in the field, needing to get out and going before the bend. If the leaders overdo things, he’ll be charging at them late and can make his presence felt. An each way chance.
Currently, Wuddzz is an $8 chance in the market.
Morphettville
Race 5 – Savvy Bee
Jockey – Liam Riordan
1600m – Barrier 2
Improving filly Savvy Bee gets out to a mile for the first time in her career when she heads to Morphettville this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Savabeel gave an improved performance last start when second-up, running on soundly from midfield over 1400-metres at Geelong. The extra furlong looks to suit today and jockey Liam Riordan can settle midfield or better with cover from an inside draw.
Not a huge amount of early speed in this, perhaps Delightful Shecky can roll forward from its middle gate, with Peel The Stickers to boot through from nearer the inside. The latter started favourite on debut at Werribee three weeks ago, duly winning on a heavy track after having the run of the race. Jumps in class but looks to have enough ability to be in this. Diamond Model was a first-up winner before running well up in grade at Sandown last time out. She’s better suited back to this company and will prove hardest to beat today. Zilzie Lad has upside after getting his maiden out of the way last start, while Zac’s Back rarely runs a bad race. May need it heavy though?
Savvy Bee hits this third-up and fitter, giving every suggestion she’s ready for a mile. She’s drawn to get a lovely run and should get her chance to run on in the home straight. This isn’t a particularly strong race for a Saturday, giving the Dwyer filly every chance to be right there in the finish. A genuine each way chance.
Currently, Savvy Bee is a $12 chance in the market.
Warracknabeal
Race 2 – Crimson Dynamo
Jockey – Ryan Houston
1600m – Barrier 11
Three-year-old filly Crimson Dynamo is second-up and steps up to a mile this afternoon at Warracknabeal. The stable newcomer has had one start for the Dwyer camp, finding her rivals too slick for her over 1400-metres on the poly at Ballarat. Apprentice hoop Ryan Houston hops on today and will be positive from the outset, looking to drive forward from a wide barrier.
Tosen Snowfall and Space Journey will roll across with the Dwyer runner from their wide gates, while Voliero can make them work from a kinder draw. Tosen Snowfall led at this track and trip last start, only run down late when runner-up behind Parvati Party. There’s strong form all around that galloper and if she can cross from the extreme outside, will give this a good shake from the front. Sirius Black was good at his Australian debut when finishing strongly over this trip. He finished second on that occasion with a clear gap to third, and he’ll have taken improvement from the run. Inside barrier may play against him today, needs luck. The race drops away from there, with each way hopes given to Geez Louise, Mighty George and Naval Chief.
Crimson Dynamo needs to step cleanly and put herself in the race from the get-go. She’ll appreciate the 2kg claim and the steadier tempo at a mile should suit. Expecting improvement from her first-up run.
Currently, Crimson Dynamo is a $41 chance in the market.
Warracknabeal
Race 3 – Cheeky Blinders
Jockey – Neil Farley
2000m – Barrier 9
So You Think filly Cheeky Blinders is third-up and gets out to 2000-metres for the first time this afternoon. Dwyer’s three-year-old galloper ran okay when on debut before a plain effort on a genuine heavy track last start at Donald. Jockey Neil Farley leaves from a wide alley today and will drift back in search of cover in the early stages.
Speed looks solid with Appealing and Beatrice Cranach to roll across from the outside, while Wilewink and Sobart can punch through from nearer the fence. A few chances in this, starting with Dreamtime Girl who improved sharply up in trip last start. She races like she’ll run a strong 2000-metres and can enjoy a soft run from the inside gate. She’ll need luck to avoid tiring horses but if she gets galloping room, will be hard to beat. Appealing keeps racing well without breaking through, but the extra trip here could be the key to a maiden victory. She’s placed seven times from ten starts and will look the winner at some stage today. Orne is building closer to a win, all three runs on a grass surface have been good. Ready for this distance and drawn ideally.
Cheeky Blinders will appreciate getting on top of the ground today after encountering heavy tracks at her first two starts. The steadier tempo of this race should suit, Farley not wanting to lose sight of the leaders around this tight circuit. She needs to improve on her raceday outings so far but gets a few things in her favour today. Expecting a better effort from the filly.
Currently, Cheeky Blinders is a $21 chance in the market.
Warracknabeal
Race 6 – Rock Dee Jay
Jockey – Neil Farley
1200m – Barrier 7
Four-year-old gelding Rock Dee Jay is third-up and fitter at Warracknabeal this afternoon. The son of Awesome Rock has been sound in two runs back from a spell, getting back in the field before finishing off well on both occasions. Jockey Neil Farley rides from a middle gate here and will look to settle closer in the run, one or two pairs back in the running line throughout.
Speed comes from Stirrup out wide who will want the front, with Calligrapher and Thisismyturf to punch through from inside alleys. The latter galloper was impressive winning his maiden at Donald last start when afforded every chance in the run. He’s drawn ideally again today but will want to be a pair closer in the run than he was three weeks ago. Back on top of the ground a query with him, and while he’s a definite chance in the race, I couldn’t rush into the short price on offer. Calligrapher tired from the front last start but was very good first-up behind Upper East Side at Swan Hill. That galloper just missed up in grade next start before winning again a fortnight ago at Echuca. He’s drawn for a lovely run and will be in the first few turning for home. A winning chance. Concede each way hopes to Sir Domigo, Stirrup and Darksaber.
Rock Dee Jay is a real chance if he steps cleanly from the gates. He has the ability to win in this company and he’s approaching peak fitness after two runs this time in. He’ll enjoy the improving conditions and with even luck, must be considered a genuine each way chance.
Currently, Rock Dee Jay is a $14 chance in the market.