A couple of runners to be greeted by a heavy track on Donald Cup day.
Donald
Race 2 – Tennessee Maggie
Jockey – Tahlia Hope
1350m – Barrier 3
Three-year-old filly Tennessee Maggie gets out to a more suitable distance today as she contests a very even maiden race. The daughter of Highland Reel was just okay at Mornington in her first-up run over 1200-metres, settling well back and only warming up when the race was over. She gets to 1350-metres today and races as though she’ll enjoy the longer straight at Donald, with an opportunity to really wind up and run home strongly. Tahlia Hope jumps from gate three and will have cover in the long run to the sweeping bend, where she can edge out and find the middle of the home straight. Although there are only seven runners, there are a handful of chances in this. Bons Your Back was desperately unlucky not to win on debut and then wasn’t at his best second-up, look for him to bounce back. Andrew Bobbin has Cato Lake who was sound first-up and will be better again today, and the chances don’t end there.
From the trainer:
I quite liked her run first-up over an unsuitably short trip.
The heavy track is no dramas for her.
She can run into the money today, if she doesn’t win she’ll be hard to beat over a mile next start.
Currently, Tennessee Maggie is a $16 chance in the market.
Race 3 – Leolaine
Jockey – Blaike McDougall
1350m – Barrier 9
Henry Dwyer has indicated a change of tactics for his mare today, following a pair of sub-par runs to kick off her campaign. The four-year-old was right in the market first-up at Mildura but failed to fire, then was plain last start on her home track, so Dwyer intends to send his runner forward today in a race appearing to lack early speed. Ruggiero for Mitch Freedman will start a deserved favourite in this after a close second-placing at Warracknabeal last start, but the race drops away pretty sharply from there. This looks a golden chance for Leolaine to earn some prizemoney for connections and if the favourite isn’t on his game, the opportunity to break her maiden is staring her right in the face.
From the trainer:
We can probably settle outside the lead.
It’s a good chance for her to run very competitively today.
The heavy track isn’t an issue for her.
Currently, Leolaine is a $21 chance in the market.