Caulfield
Race 5 – Asfoora
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1100m – Barrier 5
Star sprinter Asfoora takes on Group-2 company in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon. The talented mare was enormous when runner-up in the Group-1 Moir Stakes last start, running scintillating time under lights at The Valley. The daughter of Flying Artie is unbeaten at the track and trip and will be given every chance to keep that record in tact later today. Jockey Mitch Aitken rides from barrier five, and will settle handy to the speed early on, in a race without a heap of early pressure.
Resuming galloper Lombardo has drawn just inside Asfoora and tends to roll forward in his races, which could set-up for a nice cart across to sit outside the lead for Aitken. Uncommon James gets blinkers for the first time and will take a more forward position in the run, and Aitken will be keen to keep that runner posted wide wherever he can. This galloper finished a length astern of Asfoora in the Moir when fresh and is yet to be beaten second-up into a preparation. Up to 1100-metres will suit and he presents as the main danger this afternoon. Chain Of Lightning is the other realistic hope in the race, first-up off a Pakenham jumpout win. She finished alongside Uncommon James when fresh last campaign, the pair filling the placings behind Lofty Strike in the Rubiton Stakes. She’s drawn the inside and could have fresh legs late. The others look outclassed.
Asfoora is third-up today, having run excellent races so far this preparation. She loves Caulfield (4:3-0-1) and has drawn for the right run in a small field. The five-year-old needs only to hold her form from last start to be a major player again today. A winning hope.
Currently, Asfoora is a $2.25 chance in the market.
Hamilton
Race 1 – Fatal Shot
Jockey – Will Price
1100m – Barrier 7
Three-year-old galloper Fatal Shot heads to Hamilton in search of improvement this afternoon. The gelded son of Shooting To Win was plain at Warrnambool five weeks ago, but looked sharper with blinkers applied at a recent jumpout on Ballarat’s poly track. The blinkers stay on today, and jockey Will Price can look to land at the front of this small field on settling.
Scratchings have cruelled this race, and expecting the short-priced favourite Loose On Gin to bounce quickly and look to lead throughout. He resumes here, having finished runner-up at both career starts to date. He was beaten in a photo during the Warrnambool carnival by Scentify, who goes around as a realistic chance in the Group-1 Caulfield Guineas later today. That’s red-hot form for this and is clearly the top pick. Debutants and stablemates Star Testymony and Little Sandy have both shown some ability at the jumpouts, hard to split them. The other debutant, Street Miss, isn’t without a place chance. But in a field of five, who is?
Expecting Fatal Shot to improve with the gear change today and prove far more competitive than past runs. He bumps into a smart one here, but looking for a good performance today that can turn into a maiden win in coming starts.
Currently, Fatal Shot is a $14 chance in the market.