Mornington
Race 3 – George The Giant
Jockey – Josh Cartwright
1500m – Barrier 1
Improving galloper George The Giant looks to go one better today following his second-placed effort at Ballarat a fortnight ago. The four-year-old son of Sports Edition led throughout in that 1400-metre event, only passed by a well-tried favourite 100-metres from the post. He safely held the rest of his rivals and comes here fitter and looking suited by the rise in trip. Jockey Josh Cartwright can hold the lead from an inside draw and control the race from the front. Iffland, drawn directly to Cartwright’s outside, will challenge for the lead and the two look to have the early speed battle between them. Chaichna is hardest to beat in this after running well in stronger races this preparation. She is drawn to get a soft run in behind the speed and will be looking to pounce approaching the home turn. The race opens right up from there with only Arandos enjoying any kind of market support. George The Giant needs only to step cleanly to give himself every chance from the front today. If he’s allowed to bowl along and isn’t pestered throughout the run he will prove very hard to get past in the run home. A genuine hope.
Currently, George The Giant is a $3 chance in the market.
Race 4 – War Service
Jockey – Josh Cartwright
1500m – Barrier 7
Merchant Navy gelding War Service can build off an improved effort last start when he steps out in trip at Mornington today. The three-year-old finished strongly into third place at Ballarat over 1400-metres a fortnight ago and presents fitter for two run this preparation. Jockey Josh Cartwright will look for midfield cover from a middle draw before runners hit the first sweeping bend. The main speed influences are drawn to his inside so ideally a position three pairs back in the running line will be up for grabs. Segment will go forward from gate five and look to control things from the front. He comes through some strong maiden races and is the one to beat here. Wary of Wyatt Erp first-up for the Stokes yard. This is the first good track he’s seen and has been jumping out soundly. Armalite is another who has jumped out well and will find a forward position from an inside draw. Concede a chance to Bustamite who is racing consistently. The form around his fourth-placed effort at Moe ties in with Segment, he can be thereabouts on that run. War Service can watch the speed unfold in front of him and enjoy a soft run off the speed. He’ll be looking for clear air around the 500-metre mark to set out and chase the leaders. A solid each-way chance today.
Currently, War Service is a $10 chance in the market.
Race 7 – Brungle Raider
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
2030m – Barrier 4
Five-year-old gelding Brungle Raider rises in trip today following a solid run in stronger grade at a mile last start. The son of Rebel Raider made steady ground on that occasion, on a day that favoured runners who sat on or close to the speed. Jockey Mitch Aitken can give the Dwyer runner a soft run from a good draw here, tucking in two or three pairs back and enjoying a nice trail into the race. There is plenty of early dash drawn to the outside in this and it could be a willing battle for the lead as runners past the post for the first time. Podente is racing well and will come across from gate ten to take up a forward position. He was a dominant maiden winner two starts back before running third in this grade last start. Unknown commodity at this distance the query. Diasonic will enjoy the drop in class and has drawn for a nice run in transit. He finds it hard to win but must be considered a major player here. Brungle Raider drops in grade and can have the last crack at them if Aitken can find the right part of the track turning. A definite top-three hope.
Currently, Brungle Raider is an $11 chance in the market.
Race 8 – Nightstick
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1500m – Barrier 9
Toronado gelding Nightstick puts a frustrating last start behind him when he takes on similar company in the last at Mornington today. The four-year-old was forced to navigate around tiring runners in the run home at Wangaratta while the eventual winner enjoyed an unimpeded run down the centre of the track to pinch the result. Nightstick was very strong through the line there and jockey Mitch Aitken will look to avoid any traffic when building momentum this afternoon. He’ll settle in the second half of the field from a wide draw and look to wind up late for a last crack. Manhattan Force drops back in grade having run soundly at his past couple. He’s had a jumpout between runs and his run at Cranbourne in December puts him right in contention for this. Coralee is an expected improver for the Maher/Eustace yard, but will need to if she’s to be competitive here. Nightstick races like he will relish the rise in trip that today’s race offers. If he can perform up to his last run he will prove very hard to toss in what looks a fairly skinny race. A top winning hope.
Currently, Nightstick is a $2.90 chance in the market.