Swan Hill
Race 1 – Flyball
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 4
Starspangledbanner gelding Flyball is second-up and fitter when he steps out to a mile at Swan Hill this afternoon. The three-year-old galloper didn’t finish off when settling rearward at Sandown when fresh a fortnight ago but will have taken benefit for the run, his first since falling in the Sires Produce Stakes at Flemington in March. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from a good draw and will look to settle closer in the run, midfield or worse with cover.
Murralane will use his inside gate to boot through and hold a forward position in a race that lacks any genuine early speed. He was solid when third at Horsham ten days ago and should get the lead to suit here. On his home track, he’s one of the main dangers. Wings Of Song was good in the latter stages of her Murtoa debut over 1200-metres, closing nicely to finish within three-lengths of Essentric Nature. She backed that up with a sound performance at Seymour five weeks ago and out to a mile looks ideal for this galloper third-up. She’s drawn to get the box seat and shapes as hardest to beat. Missy Spike looks the other realistic chance in the race following a solid debut over a mile at Echuca three weeks ago.
Flyball gets back on top of the ground this afternoon, and can use the long run home to wind up and hit the line strongly. He will need to show improvement from his first-up run to figure in this, but assuming he does this, can finish top three without surprising.
Currently, Flyball is a $6 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 5 – Dancethenightaway
Jockey – Sarah Field
2400m – Barrier 6
Consistent mare Dancethenightaway has her first go at 2400-metres at Swan Hill this afternoon. The daughter of Highland Reel has been racing well on synthetic surfaces over winter, winning two starts back before a solid effort up in grade at 2200-metres last start. Apprentice hoop Sarah Field offsets a big weight with her claim and will be positive in the early stages of the race.
Speed is drawn inside and out with last start winner Watergate to cross from wide on the course and take up the lead. He was a strong winner at Donald last start, leading from barrier to box to win by a space. He’ll be full of confidence after that performance and could again take catching today. Assignment draws the extreme inside and gets blinkers for the first time. He led and won his maiden three starts back and was solid last start at Bendigo when out to this trip. The run in between was plain but on his last start effort, he can be in this for a long way. Reservoir Dog has been racing in city company, finishing off well behind Wanjiru in a stronger race at Sandown last start. That galloper has since won again, and this looks the strongest form coming here today. Drawn for a nice run and shapes as hardest to beat. Concede an each way chance to Bignight Rebel who finished alongside Assignment last start. He’s won two from four this preparation and will be thereabouts again.
Dancethenightaway looks ready for the extra distance today, presenting rock-hard fit for recent racing. She comfortably beat Assignment home at Pakenham last start and gets track conditions to suit. Field can find a lovely trail in behind the leading pair and work into the race at the top of the long run home. In a competitive race, Dancethenightaway is a genuine each way chance.
Currently, Dancethenightaway is a $4.60 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 6 – Morpurgo
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 5
Five-year-old galloper Morpurgo returns to the races eight weeks after a sound showing over a mile on the Pakenham synthetic track. The gelded son of Toronado was a dominant winner the start prior at that track and trip, and returns to a grass surface for the first time this preparation. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from a middle alley and can look to sit outside or just behind the speed as runners enter the first bend.
North Channel sat handy when winning his maiden on the synthetic last start, and from the inside barrier can employ similar tactics today. With little else to take him on, he can control the race from the front and prove hard to run down. Riotous Mischief is right back in grade today and races best at this trip. She’ll get back from a wide draw but gets in well after a claim and will be strong late. Rule Of Time improved sharply when out to 1400-metres last start and doubt the extra furlong pulls her up. The maiden win a fortnight ago was strong and she has upside.
Morpurgo has the opportunity to be positive from the outset and get rolling rounding the home bend. The dry track will suit him and if he runs up to his performance two starts back, is right in the thick of things here. A genuine each way chance.
Currently, Morpurgo is a $9 chance in the market.