Moonee Valley
Race 3 – Alors Tu Crois
Jockey – Will Price
1600m – Barrier 2
Last start winner Alors Tu Crois heads to The Valley for the first time in her career as she tackles the mile start this afternoon. The daughter of So You Think has won a jumpout since her triumph at Tatura, where she sat handy and made light work of her rivals in benchmark-58 company. She rises in class today but is treated very nicely at the weights, with claiming apprentice hoop Will Price able to take a forward position from an ideal draw in barrier two.
The two main speed influences look to be Lady Court, who will roll across from out wide, and Lievore who has drawn in three, the immediate outside of the Dwyer galloper. Lievore won a similar contest at this track and trip last start, jumping straight to the front on a day where that was the only place to be. Lady Court finished runner-up, appearing to have every chance to go past Lievore but unable to do so. Maybe turns the tables on a fairer track here? Chandon Burj was given no hope from the second half of the field in that race but can settle closer to the speed from the inside alley here. She was in front 100-metres past the post there and with even luck, must be considered a winning hope. Expect Pitchanun to bounce back after a head-scratcher last start, she can go close on her best efforts.
Alors Tu Crois has a bit in her favour today as she looks to combat the rise to Saturday class, drawing perfectly with a weight advantage on her rivals. The form from her last start win through Barmah Al reads well for this, and she presents as a genuine each way chance in a race of many chances.
Currently, Alors Tu Crois is a $14 chance in the market.
Kerang
Race 1 – Steller Eagle
Jockey – Jaylah Kennedy
1100m – Barrier 8
Russian Revolution mare Steller Eagle is on the quick back-up from Casterton last Saturday when she looks to breakthrough for a deserved maiden win. The four-year-old galloper is due a change of fortune, having looked unlucky when third and second at her past two starts. Claiming apprentice Jaylah Kennedy maintains the ride and will roll forward from the start, looking to land in the first few in running.
They’ll scoot along in this, with first-starter Double Turn to use her inside alley to boot through and try to hold the lead. Verbosity, Suigetsu and John Joseph are among those that will roll across from out wide, setting up a genuine tempo throughout the run. Rubikai is first-up since January, having shown ability in her first preparation. She’s had plenty of jumpouts in preparation for today and has drawn to get the sit on the leaders in gate four. Will prove hard to beat in this. John Joseph is third-up and fitter after two good runs this preparation. Only needs to hold that form to be competitive here. First-starters Suigetsu and Double Turn have looked good in their respective jumpouts and look forward enough to be players this afternoon.
Steller Eagle raced in restricted room two starts back when beaten a close third, finishing alongside subsequent winner Princess Halo. She lost momentum at a key stage last start when the winner made its run, rallying again to finish runner-up. Today, she needs to step cleanly and find a prominent position in the run, but with even luck must be considered a winning hope.
Currently, Steller Eagle is a $6.50 chance in the market.
Kerang
Race 2 – Adorations
Jockey – Neil Farley
1400m – Barrier 8
Four-year-old mare Adorations makes her racetrack debut over 1400-metres at Kerang this afternoon. The daughter of Adelaide was given an easy time at her latest jumpout and is a galloper who will appreciate more ground than she gets today. Jockey Neil Farley leaves from barrier eight and if she steps cleanly, has the opportunity to roll forward and find cover in the front half of the field.
Not a great deal of early speed on paper, perhaps Sandrine and Justamatteroftime roll across from out wide, while Deviator may chose to punch forward again from a good draw. It will be no surprise to see Perdition given a more positive ride today after finally drawing a good barrier, and this could hold the key to the race. She finished on the heels of Mrs Bull who has run well since, and will be near peak fitness after three runs this preparation. She’s top pick. Haesta made steady ground from the back at Swan Hill last start and looks suited by the extra distance here. Will need luck from the inside alley but goes in with an each way chance. Justamatteroftime gets blinkers on and expecting improvement from him. Hard to mount a case for too many others.
Adorations will improve on whatever she does on debut today, likely to get better when stretched out over more ground. She meets some race-fit gallopers here and the stable will use this as valuable education for their mare.
Currently, Adorations is a $14 chance in the market.