Donald
Race 1 – Composite Action
Jockey – Sarah Field
1350m – Barrier 9
Foxwedge filly composite Action is second-up and out in trip at Donald this afternoon. The three-year-old galloper was run off her legs in the 1000-metre dash at Bendigo when fresh three weeks ago, unable to make an impact when rearward throughout. Up to 1350-metres today suits, apprentice hoop Sarah Field able to find cover in the second half of the field before looking to finish off late in the piece.
Speed is drawn inside with Wollemia Angel to use gate one to punch through and look to hold the front, while debutant Centennial Park has shown speed at the jumpouts and can land forward in the run. A host of first-starters, so a bit to learn from this one. Of the raced, Wollemai Angel has been in the placings at her past four starts, not far away at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago. Back in trip is a query, but no surprise to see her in the finish. One of the main chances. Princess Toro was okay on debut in June before sent to the paddock, returning with a pair of sound jumpout wins. Drawn poorly but has each way claims. So too Tusconado, who draws for a soft trail behind the leaders, and Centennial Park, who is one of a few promising first-starters. Open affair.
Composite Action will appreciate the steadier tempo up in distance today, able to keep in touch and travel more comfortably in the run. She’ll be better again over more ground, but expecting an improved showing today.
Currently, Composite Action is a $126 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 2 – Im Bartholomew
Jockey – Will Price
1350m – Barrier 2
Four-year-old gelding Im Bartholomew is second-up and fitter when he gets out to 1350-metres at Donald this afternoon. The gelded son of Complacent was okay on debut at Ballarat a month ago when outsprinted over 1000-metres, jumping out well since that run and looking to improve up in trip today. Jockey Will Price leaves from gate two and ca be positive in the early parts, looking to hold a forward position throughout and be right there straightening for home.
She Flys can roll forward from barrier three and settle forward in the run, while expect Steel Impact and Knight Dancer to be amongst the action in the run to the sweeping home bend. Judge Jenni will likely be back in the run from the widest of draws, coming here after a solid first-up run at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago. She’ll need luck and a suitable tempo to finish over the top, but must be considered a winning chance. She Flys and Seattle Hope come through the same race at Kilmore, the latter finishing runner-up when beaten narrowly. No surprise to see both around the mark here. Each way chances to Tremamore, who was an improver second-up at Hamilton nine days ago, and Knight Dancer, who will get every chance from up near the front.
Im Bartholomew gets winkers on today and can improve with a positive ride from an ideal draw. His latest jumpout suggests he’s going well, and on-speed is likely to be advantageous at this stage of the day. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Im Bartholomew is a $6.50 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 6 – Paradise Storm
Jockey – Neil Farley
1620m – Barrier 9
Ex-European galloper Paradise Storm makes his Australian debut in the Donald Cup this afternoon. The four-year-old son of Masked Marvel has one jumpout under his belt leading in, a sound effort at St Arnaud three weeks ago when running through the line sweetly over 1200-metres. Jockey Neil Farley leaves from towards the outside at the 1620-metre chute start, looking for cover in the early parts before winding up in the home straight.
Mister Me looks the likely leader from the middle of the line, while expect Chartres to roll across from the outside barrier in search of a prominent position on settling. Chartres went for home early in the Peninsula Cup at Mornington a fortnight ago, doing enough to hold on and win in a good performance. If he gets across early without spending too many tickets, he’ll give them all something to chase in the run home. Top chance. Beltoro made a wide run and was solid when second-up in Listed grade at Morphettville last time out. Back to a mile the query, but has a class edge on a few of these. Next best. Bold Soul won here on debut on this day last year, and is first-up for this today. Each way claims. So too Savoir Faire, who’s chances increase if the rain rolls in.
Paradise Storm will improve on whatever he does today, better suited out over more ground next time out. He’ll get back and enjoy a soft trail throughout, and on ability alone can make his presence felt late. If you can make ground, he can give this a shake.
Currently, Paradise Storm is a $15 chance in the market.