Maiden galloper, Afridi, has the float to himself today as Henry Dwyer takes him to Donald for his third race start.
Race 4 – Afridi
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
Barrier – 2
Lightly-raced four-year-old, Afridi, steps out to 2210-metres today as he looks to break his maiden status for the Dwyer stable. The son of Vadamos has had two previous race starts over unsuitably shorter distances, settling rearward on both occasions and only getting warm late in his contests. Today, however, jockey Mitch Aitken has drawn an inside barrier and can look to be more positive and put his gelding into the race at the right time. The track at Donald is a ripper and generally races without bias, and there is no reason to suggest otherwise on the soft 7 surface today. Hardest to beat looks to be the Price/Kent runner, Twosret, who is coming off a solid performance at Cranbourne in July, and Loch Gormon for the O’Connor yard who shares formlines with Dwyer’s recent winner, Mortar. Afridi has now built a good fitness base and we should see an improved performance at the races today.
From the trainer:
2200-metres obviously suits, stepping up in trip and just need a more positive ride.
I reckon his work has been a lot better than his form suggests. He’ll run significantly better today.
If he doesn’t win today, he’ll be going close next time when the winkers go on.
Currently, Afridi is a $21 chance and we can have an each way play with the knowledge he’ll settle closer in the run today.