Ararat
Race 2 – Brungle Bertie
Jockey – Lee Horner
2200m Highweight – Barrier 2
Champion jumper Brungle Bertie kicks off his campaign in a highweight event at Ararat this afternoon. Last year’s Grand National Steeplechase winner is on a path to the Warrnambool carnival in May, and will be looking for another lap at the end of this race today. Jockey Lee Horner continues his association with the eight-year-old, settling where comfortable from the 2200-metre start.
Obsessive Maid will roll forward from a middle gate and take up the running in the early parts, while Here With Me and Tekapo won’t be far away passing the winning post for the first time. Kentucky Nick hasn’t been far away in stronger company this preparation and looks suited back to this grade here. He’ll get a soft run back in the field and prove very hard to hold out late. Hardest to beat. Obsessive Maid was a narrow maiden winner two starts back before only collared late in this class a week ago. Up to this trip suits, can give a sight from the front. Concede an each way chance to El Campeon from the back, who finished close up in a similar event at Hamilton a fortnight ago.
Brungle Bertie will find these too sharp over 2200-metres, but will take good benefit from the run. He’s yet to strike a blow when fresh, but the big boy has bigger fish to fry over the obstacles later in his prep. Just watching today.
Currently, Brungle Bertie is a $9 chance in the market.
Ararat
Race 3 – Prairie Flower
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 4
Ultra-consistent galloper Prairie Flower drops in class for today’s contest at Ararat. The daughter of Star Turn hasn’t received the rub of the green of late but continues to race well in stronger company, getting her chance in benchmark-64 grade today. She cops a weight penalty as a result, and jockey Mitch Aitken can find cover in the second half of a small field before working into the race at the home bend.
Speed looks okay early, with all of Stylish Enuff, Midnight Poker, Rose Ring and Ice Symphony to roll forward and challenge for prominent positions in the early parts of the race. Midnight Poker has been good at both career runs, winning on debut before a solid effort at Stony Creek three weeks ago. She gets in very well after an apprentice claim and should get every chance from near the speed. In the mix. Stylish Enuff resumes having won twice in five previous fresh attempts. Jumpouts have been good leading in, must be considered. Each way chances to Ice Symphony and Rose Ring in an even affair.
Prairie Flower is the class runner in this field and should be able to stay clear of trouble with only five rivals to contend with. 62kg is an impost in anyone’s language, but if she can build into the race at the right time, she’ll take a power of holding out late. Needs a win and can get it today.
Currently, Prairie Flower is a $2.70 chance in the market.
Ararat
Race 4 – Gijima Gal
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1100m – Barrier 10
Three-year-old filly Gijima Gal makes her racetrack debut at Ararat this afternoon. The daughter of Zululand has jumped out well in preparation, winning her latest hitout at Burrumbeet, where she beat home subsequent city-placegetter Both Sides Now. Jockey Mitch Aitken has drawn barrier nine and won’t bustle early, looking to land midfield or better with cover.
Tricky speed map. Debutant Skiing has shown good early toe in his jumpouts and can roll forward from a middle draw, while Elvis won’t be far away when runners find their positions. This galloper ran well fresh at Hamilton a fortnight ago and strips fitter for that effort today. He should get the favours in the run and must be considered a winning chance here. Magic Shannon has had a let-up between runs but should be fitter for today’s contest. Her effort off a long break was encouraging and she’ll only be improved from that. In the mix. First starter Skiing has shown enough at the jumpouts to suggest there’s some ability there. He should get his chance from the front and comes here with each way claims. Hard to enthuse others, perhaps a place chance to McCoy who resumes on the back of a Flemington jumpout win.
Gijima Gal contends with a sticky draw, but if afforded even luck can be in the finish on debut. She’ll be better for the experience today but no surprise to see her fill a placing here. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Gijima Gal is a $5 chance in the market.