Seymour
Race 2 – Call Up King
Jockey – Neil Farley
1300m – Barrier 11
Toronado gelding Call Up King makes his racetrack debut at Seymour over 1300-metres this afternoon. The three-year-old galloper has had two hitouts leading into today, improving sharply with blinkers and onto a grass surface last time when second in a recent Ballarat trial. Blinkers stay in the bag today, jockey Neil Farley leaving from an outside gate today and can drift back in the early parts, looking to run on and make ground in the home straight.
Unclear who will take up the lead here with a number of first starters engaged, and not a great deal of speed shown by the raced brigade. Gormo’s Luck hits this third-up having been sound in two career runs to date. He gets headgear for the first time and should receive a nice trail in the run. Hardest to beat. Seindeel will appreciate more ground today, following a solid effort on debut at Moe a fortnight ago. Drawn inside and may elect to roll forward, strong claims. Each way claims to Guru Too, who can improve from a runner-up effort fresh last time out, and Belle Detelle, who may be the pick of the debutants. Plenty to learn here.
Call Up King will improve on whatever he does today, suited out in trip later in his preparation. How he races without blinkers is a query, but he can pass a few in the run home if he’s switched on. Look for him to be hitting the line.
Currently, Call Up King is a $23 chance in the market.
Seymour
Race 5 – Off The Deep End
Jockey – Hannah Le Blanc
1600m – Barrier 8
Improving mare Off The Deep End is second-up and fitter when she heads to Seymour this afternoon. The lightly-raced five-year-old was okay when first-up from a long spell at Bendigo a fortnight ago, coming through the run in good order and likely to appreciate the extra furlong on offer today. Jockey Hannah Le Blanc leaves from barrier eight and can drift back in the early parts, looking for cover in the second half of the field before passing a few in the run home.
Speed is drawn to the inside with Itsukushima and Star Blazer to punch forward in the early parts, while expect Samurai and Dazzling Sky to be thereabouts on settling. The Negotiator got back and ran on well behind a smart one at Moonee Valley last start in a stronger race and may appreciate the bigger track today. He’ll likely have plenty to do towards the back end of the race, but if runners can make ground, he’ll prove hard to hold out late. One of the main chances. Samurai hasn’t been far away in three runs this campaign and draws for the softest of runs on the inside. One win from twelve starts the knock, but no surprise to see him add to that here. Strong claims. Each way chances to Expectee back on top of the ground, and Itsukushima, who is third-up and ready to peak.
Off The Deep End presents fitter from her first-up effort at Bendigo, with improvement to come again from this afternoon. She’ll find herself in the second half of the field turning for home, expect her to be warming up late through the line. Better for the run.
Currently, Off The Deep End is a $51 chance in the market.
Seymour
Race 7 – Sawbay
Jockey – Harry Coffey
2000m – Barrier 3
Four-year-old mare Sawbay looks to bounce back after a plain effort in the wet at Bendigo two weeks ago. The daughter of Ghibellines had been good from the back at Ararat the start prior but didn’t finish off when out to 2400-metres last time, despite travelling sweetly throughout the run. Back to 2000-metres today, jockey Harry Coffey can settle midfield with cover from a good draw, stalking the leaders before chasing in the home straight.
Dreamstone looks the leader here from the inside, while expect Cavalry Man, Ghemme and Patsy’s Star to have a look from wider out in the early parts. Howlin’ Rain has been good in all five starts this preparation, notching a deserved win at The Heath last start. He went past Kings Valley on that occasion, who was a comfortable winner yesterday. Will again prove hard to hold out late. Andy Win was solid at his Australian debut, runner-up behind Everything Counts, who has since run well again. Should get a nice run throughout, no surprise to see him thereabouts. Each way chances to Cavalry Man, who will enjoy getting back on top of the ground, and Lukan, who improves second-up from a spell.
Sawbay travelled like the winner to the home bend last start but was found wanting in the heavy conditions. She can improve sharply on dry ground here and draws for a lovely trail in the run. Each way claims.
Currently, Sawbay is an $18 chance in the market.