Swan Hill
Race 1 – Irish Consort
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
975m – Barrier 4
Reward For Effort gelding Irish Consort looks to bounce back following a plain debut effort at Kyneton three weeks ago. Dwyer’s three-year-old was well-backed on that occasion but didn’t handle the pressure up front, heading back to the jumpouts and looking comfortable when camped off the leaders. Jockey Mitch Aitken can find a position midfield in the running line from a good draw and peel out to chase the leaders in the run home. Speed comes from the middle with troublesome galloper Short And Stout to push forward while Kumicho will kick-up from his inside draw. Short And Stout was home for all money here in March before misbehaving and costing herself the race. It was a similar tale at Warracknabeal at her next outing and she was sent back to school by stewards to straighten up. She resumes here and if her manners have improved, will be hard to run down. Allocate is another resuming runner having performed well at two starts in his first preparation. The form from those races has been solid and he’s another with a chance today. Kumicho is racing well, sticking on better than Irish Consort last time out. He’ll be honest from the front. Wary of local galloper Brilliant Reward, who has trialled well but shown little on raceday. Irish Consort is better than his debut effort suggests and improvement is expected this afternoon. He’ll get a nice run behind the speed and with even luck can navigate to the middle of the track and run on late. An each way chance in a speedy race.
Currently, Irish Consort is a $7 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 5 – Wuddzz
Jockey – Jye McNeil
2400m – Barrier 5
Impressive Warrnambool winner Wuddzz takes on benchmark-78 company at Swan Hill on the final day of their carnival. The five-year-old ex-kiwi won strongly at the ‘Bool two starts back before a good chase at Cranbourne in a leader-dominated race. Jockey Jye McNeil can ease out of the gates here and find a position with cover within striking distance of the leading runners, winding up approaching the long home stright. Speed is drawn towards the outside with Mystery Island and Sing For Peace both likely to be prominent in the early stages. Only a small field post-scratchings but it looks a competitive event, with a case to be made for almost every runner. Progressive stayer Sing For Peace has been racing consistently in this grade in town and loves soft ground (4:3-0-1). He carries the strongest form to the race but his best might be over further? Can’t rule out as a winning chance, however. Mystery Island beat home French Moon at Bendigo last start, both of these runners are racing well. The latter finished runner-up behind Wuddzz at Warrnambool, almost four lengths from the Dwyer runner that day. Neither have struck a blow on soft tracks. Brawl gets conditions to suit here and his close second to Deepstrike in the Stawell Cup is looking better every time that horse steps out on the track. He ran third at this track/trip on Friday, albeit in weaker grade, and must be feeling good for the quick back-up. Wuddzz was game in defeat last start, chasing hard with plenty against him, in front 50-metres past the post. McNeil can give him a soft run here before hooking him to the middle of the track to run home, and he’ll take a power of holding out in the last 100-metres of the race. A genuine winning hope.
Currently, Wuddzz is a $2.60 chance in the market.
Casterton
Race 3 – Overclassy
Jockey – Codi Jordan
1400m – Barrier 8
Three-year-old filly Overclassy heads to Casterton today after the meeting was transferred from Edenhope owing to a deluge of rain. The daughter of Overshare was slowly away last start on the poly track, costing herself any chance in the race but boxing on well enough to suggest we’ll see an improved performance today. Apprentice hoop Codi Jordan leaves from barrier eight and will want to settle outside or just behind the speed at a track that lends itself to on-pace runners. Early speed will come from The Penski File in the middle and Kodiak nearer the inside, while Sisu may land further forward in the run today. Kodiak has been runner-up in all five career starts to date, only gunned down late at Horsham last start. Drawn to get all the favours and to say he’s knocking on the door is an understatement. Ryan Wayne has been good at his past couple but not sure dropping back to 1400-metres will suit this galloper. Sisu was beaten a long way when runner-up last start behind a runaway leader. If he can settle closer in the run today he’s not without a chance. Overclassy will need a pinch of luck to find her position in the early stages, needing to step cleanly from the barriers. She’s good enough to win a race like this but will need to improve here to do so. An each way chance at a good price.
Currently, Overclassy is an $18 chance in the market.