Seymour
Race 6 – Pannier
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1414m – Barrier 11
Four-year-old galloper Pannier is second-up at Seymour today, following an encouraging effort when fresh three weeks ago. The gelded son of Tavistock made many lengths late in the piece at Geelong on that occasion to finish second behind Regal Zeus, and strikes a similar contest this afternoon. Jockey Maddie Lloyd leaves from an outside barrier and will drift back early, looking to wind up late and make an impression late.
Speed is drawn towards the inside with Prancing With Fire and Makalu to go fast early, while no surprise t see Paint Me Red and Graham in the firing line early. Prancing With Fire has been racing well without winning this preparation and gets the addition of blinkers here today. She’s drawn to get a favourable run and will be hard to go past late. Hardest to beat. Kew Player was given little hope from the back first-up in stronger grade and finds a more suitable race today. If runners can make ground in the straight, he’ll take holding out late. Fire Of Etna looks the other main hope first-up from a lengthy spell. She’s jumped out well and all three runs in her first preparation were good. A host of subsequent winners finished behind her when she won her maiden at her second start, expect a forward showing today.
Pannier stays at 1400-metres today, with an eye to getting out over further next start. He was very good first-up and will only have improved from that effort, but may be looking for more ground today. He’ll get back and warm up late, no surprise to see him run into the top four again.
Currently, Pannier is an $8 chance in the market.
Seymour
Race 7 – Nishino Crescent
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 10
Resuming galloper Nishino Crescent kicks off his preparation over at mile at Seymour this afternoon. The gelded son of Satono Aladdin headed to the paddock a winner at the end of last preparation, and has jumped out well in preparation for his return today. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from a wide draw but has a long run to the bend to find his position in the run, ideally somewhere midfield with cover.
Speed comes from Fine Rebel in the centre, with Nijmegen, Cailloux and Patrick all looking to settle in prominent positions from the outset. Competitive race. Remuda got back and ran on strongly over 1400-metres to just miss at Bendigo last start. Extra furlong looks to suit and strips fitter third-up. Look for him to be running on late. Diesel comes back in grade after a sound effort at The Valley. He’ll get a fairer track today and is another who will be making ground in the home straight. Connecticut only needs natural improvement from his fresh run to feature here, while Patrick looks suited back to this company. Others wouldn’t surprise.
Nishino Crescent has as much upside as any in this race and sheer ability will take him a long way in this. He’ll need a touch of luck to slot in and find cover, however he’s shown he can finish his races strongly if he is forced back in the early parts. More ground beckons later in his preparation, but he must be considered a winning hope today.
Currently, Nishino Crescent is a $4.80 chance in the market.