Echuca
Race 4 – Better Tomorrow
Jockey – Maddie Lloyd
1600m – Barrier 11
Five-year-old gelding Better Tomorrow stays at a mile today but has again fallen foul of the barrier gods. The son of Lonhro has drawn gate eleven of eleven and jockey Maddie Lloyd will push forward to find the lead in the short run to the first bend. This event is devoid of early speed so if he steps cleanly, the Dwyer runner should be able to control the race from the front and give himself every opportunity to collect some prizemoney. Surin Beach has been installed as the early favourite but we’re approaching two years since he found the winner’s stall. The Fliedner runner has been sound in better grade and only needs to run up to that to be a factor here. Dance Ready had been mixing his form but the run at Swan Hill a month ago is good enough to win this. Better Tomorrow finds a pretty weak race here and his chances lie in the first three-hundred-metres of the race. If he can get across and rolling without using too many fuel tickets he can keep kicking late and find a top-three finish. Each way chance.
Currently, Better Tomorrow is an $8 chance in the market.
Race 5 – Elmore Lad
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1300m – Barrier
Eight-year-old gelding Elmore Lad looks to bounce back at Echuca today following a pair of sub-par runs this month. The son of Dr Doute’s had been racing well previously and arguably didn’t have much go his way at his latest outing, however didn’t show a great deal of fight when the pressure went on. Jockey Mitch Aitken will be positive from the jump and look for a position in the front half of the field with cover. Early speed comes from out wide with Decker and Ladymane looking to cross, while Yaki Ishi will boot-up from his inside draw. Elmore Lad has the opportunity to drag across underneath the wider runners and find a nice position in running before the turn. Yaki Ishi presents as hardest to beat here after a good return at Benalla a fortnight ago. He boxed on well in inferior ground there and is a second-up winner. The Griffiths/de Kock runner contested Listed grade before a spell and should be well up to this company today. Our Lone Star has been good in two runs back from a spell, dropping in class but rising in weight for today’s event. He’s not without a chance. Elmore Lad should enjoy a kinder run today and be in this for longer. He’s fit and healthy and at his best, a top-three finish isn’t beyond him. Could collect a cheque for connections today.
Currently, Elmore Lad is a $23 chance in the market.