Swan Hill
Race 2 – Turfaction
Jockey – Jye McNeil
975m – Barrier 2
Three-year-old debutant Turfaction kicks off his racing career in the 975-metre scamper at Swan Hill this afternoon. The gelded son of Turffontein has jumped out twice this campaign, leading throughout to win his latest at Ararat in a positive hitout before today’s assignment. Jockey Jye McNeil rides from gate two of seven and can let his galloper roll early, looking to take a sit behind the leaders in a speedy race.
Small field but the speed will be on with Dougie’s Dream and Enuffon to go forward from the outside, while Love The Sheriff and Revalene will punch through underneath to hold their spots heading into the home straight. Revalene was competitive in much stronger grade in spring and a recent trial win suggests he’s returned in good order. The runner-up effort behind Celui is very good form for this. Hardest to beat, but leave me out at the price. Enuffon resumes from a long layoff, sent forward and held together in a recent Tatura trial. She’ll be better for the run but no shock to see her feature here. Breakless debuts for the locals, scratched from Friday in preference for this. He was sound in a recent Stawell trial. Another local Dougie’s Dream has some ability, though may find the 975-metre dash too sharp. Interesting affair.
Turfaction will improve on whatever he does today and be better for the raceday experience. This is a suitable starting point and no surprise to see him feature somewhere in the top four.
Currently, Turfaction is an $11 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 6 – Wuddzz
Jockey – Jye McNeil
2400m – Barrier 5
Six-year-old galloper Wuddzz gets blinkers back on when he returns to Swan Hill this afternoon. The gelded son of Complacent won this race last year, albeit on a soft deck, and will need to do it on top of the ground to complete the year-on-year double today. Jockey Jye McNeil leaves from a middle gate and can find cover midfield from the outset, needing to be close enough on the home bend to make his presence felt late.
Tommy and Dashing Duchess appear the most likely leaders in the race, with Hasta La Fiorente to receive the gun run on their backs from an inside draw. Dashing Duchess comes back in grade and distance following a sound effort from the front in the Andrew Ramsden three weeks ago. All three career wins have come on dry ground (from four starts) and she draws to find the lead comfortably. Hardest to beat. Look Sharpish was beaten five lengths by Berkshire Breeze at Cranbourne two starts back, that galloper posting a similar winning margin in stronger company at Flemington yesterday. Can tie Hasta La Fiorente in with this, he won at Murray Bridge a fortnight ago and beat Look Sharpish home by four lengths. Each way claims to both. Hoops next best.
Wuddzz has been okay in three runs this time in, and best forgive the last start effort at Warrnambool on a regrettable surface. He can bounce back today, how he lets down on the dry ground will be key late. Each way claims.
Currently, Wuddzz is a $10 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 7 – Governor King
Jockey – Declan Bates
1600m – Barrier 2
Last start maiden winner Governor King looks to go on with the job up in grade at Swan Hill this afternoon. The gelded son of Fiorente was always travelling like the winner at Ballarat, given a lovely ride by Declan Bates and scoring relatively comfortably first-up from a spell. He’s four weeks between runs into today and Bates can give him another nice run in transit from gate two, lobbing one or two pairs back with cover before peeling out to make his run in the home straight.
Raymond’s Reward has drawn the extreme outside and will look to cross the field in the early parts and lead, while Leica Trooper and Dillinger can hold their positions from nearer the rail heading into the back straight. Khor gets blinkers for the first time and draws to get all the favours in barrier three. He’s been a close runner-up at his past couple and looks close to a win. Back to a mile? Dillinger comes here fitter for two good runs this time in and registered a win at his only 1600-metre start. Blinkers go on, he’ll get every chance from up on-speed. Bannerton has been good in all four runs this preparation, winning up in trip at Mildura last start. No surprise to see him thereabouts. Leica Trooper next best.
Governor King has bounced through his Ballarat win in terrific order and out to a mile looks ideal at this stage. He should get a lovely run throughout and present to run on in the long home straight. Chance to complete the double today.
Currently, Governor King is a $5 chance in the market.