Bendigo
Race 7 – Rising Sun
Jockey – Jack Hill
1000m – Barrier 1
Four-year-old galloper Rising Sun is third-up and fitter when he heads to Bendigo this afternoon. The gelded son of Fighting Sun has been plain in two runs this time in, and gets blinkers on today in an attempt to spark a form reversal. Jockey Jack Hill rides from the inside alley and will look to jump fast and lead throughout.
Tom The Star and Kamchatka will challenge for the front early on, while Tori’s Dee will be thereabouts in the long run in from the chute start. Demon Blood will find cover midfield or worse from a middle gate and enjoy a soft run in transit. His last start effort behind Banana Split was good at Ararat, that galloper should’ve won again at Kyneton on Tuesday if not for bad luck. That’s as good as any form coming here, he’ll be the late closer. Tori’s Dee is suited back to this grade, his last run at Stawell best forgiven on a tricky surface. He can bounce back here and be right in the finish. These two look the main dangers in a skinny race. Each way chances to two runners at opposite ends of their careers – veteran Upper East Side and maiden galloper Kamchatka.
Rising Sun strikes an ordinary race here and improvement can be expected with blinkers applied. He’ll need to step cleanly to hold the front, and with a strong rider engaged, he’ll get every chance to keep going late. Winning chance if he runs to his ability.
Currently, Rising Sun is a $9 chance in the market.
Albury
Race 2 – Lupine
Jockey – Blaike McDougall
2000m – Barrier 7
Last start maiden winner Lupine travels north of the river for today’s contest at Albury. The gelded son of Tivaci was strong breaking his maiden at Stawell when out to this trip for the first time, and races like the right-handed way of going will be beneficial this afternoon. Jockey Blaike McDougall rides from barrier seven and will push forward early, looking to sit outside the leader from the outset.
Royal Pharoah will punch forward from the extreme outside and look for the front early, while Boldazz and Zabellsareringing won’t be far away on settling. Duchy Of Cornwall draws for a soft run behind the speed and drops in class for today’s race. The form around Brungle Creek looks solid for a race like this, he’s hardest to beat. Zontawah and Zabellsareringing can both be tied into the Duchy Of Cornwall form through Testing The Cugat, who has won his past two, but look place hopes only. Real Intrigue improved to win at his second start over 1950-metres at Yarra Valley. Fourth from that race – who finished over eight lengths astern – has since won. He has claims. Others appear stretched.
Lupine looked good in a Colac jumpout since his Stawell win and is hard fit at this point of his campaign. He’ll get every chance from up near the speed to make it back-to-back wins today. Right in the mix.
Currently, Lupine is a $4.20 chance in the market.
Pakenham
Race 1 – Offcast
Jockey – Michael Dee
2500m – Barrier 4
Dissident mare Offcast is fourth-up and out in trip when she heads to Pakenham this evening. The four-year-old galloper has been okay at her past couple – albeit a little one-paced – and gives the indication that she can show her best out beyond 2000-metres. Jockey Michael Dee rides from gate four and can settle in the front half of the field in a race that lacks a genuine speed horse.
Whoever wants to lead this, will. Forty Times is sharply up in trip and gets blinkers for the first time at start number four. He could go forward and control the speed, while Pensatore has drawn to either lead or camp just behind from gate two. Ol’ Mate Altony was an eye-catcher from a long way back two starts back before another solid closing effort at Stony Creek when out to 2100-metres. Everything suggests he’s looking for this trip and he’ll be strong late. Hardest to beat. Culloden Moor beat Ol’ Mate Altony home on that occasion, finishing on the quinella’s heels and unlucky not to be closer. A repeat effort has him in the mix, though he lines up for start twenty tonight. No surprise to see Forty Times improve tonight and he has come in for market support.
Offcast should get a lovely run behind the leaders here and gets every chance to show her best in a moderate field. First go at this trip is a query, but expecting improvement from her previous starts. Each way claims.
Currently, Offcast is a $9.50 chance in the market.