Kilmore
Race 3 – Elbarad
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1450m – Barrier 2
Three-year-old galloper Elbarad returns to the races following a plain debut at Warrnambool three weeks ago. The gelded son of Frosted settled rearward and was unable to make an impression in an on-pacer’s event there, but will have taken benefit from his first trip to the races. Jockey Mitch Aitken rides from an inside draw today, and with the addition of blinkers, can look to settle closer in the run from the outset.
Not a stack of early speed in this, perhaps Ready Tiger can land closer up in distance from a good draw, and Solitary Pete’s best effort came when hustled out of the gates two starts back. Run Harry Run comes through a very strong Ballarat maiden where he never got a crack at them in the home straight. That was over 1100-metres, and he’ll get his chance to work into the race over more ground today. Shapes as the one to beat. Ready Tiger improved second-up – albeit on the synthetic – and comes here fitter for two runs in his debut preparation. Further improvement sees him right in this. Hydrogen Power and Too Much Gold finished alongside each other behind Guerrera at Bendigo last start. Second from that race has since won well and both of these runners are in with an each way show. So too Xtra Stormy, who was sound on debut.
Elbarad has jumped out well in blinkers since his debut and keeps the headgear on for today’s race. He’ll be improved from Warrnambool and should enjoy the steadier tempo up in distance. While there is still improvement to come in this galloper, a better showing is expected today. Can earn a cheque for connections second-up.
Currently, Elbarad is a $51 chance in the market.
Kilmore
Race 4 – Off The Deep End
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 4
Four-year-old debutant Off The Deep End debuts over 1200-metres at Kilmore this afternoon. The daughter of Deep Field has had three jumpouts in preparation for today, winning her last hitout with blinkers in nice style on the poly at Ballarat. The headgear stays on today, and jockey Mitch Aitken can look to settle in the front half of the field from a middle draw early on.
Our Perfect Train led on debut and expect her to do the same from a good draw today, while Royal Mule and The Bell Jar could roll across from outside barriers. Finale gets blinkers on after a plain debut at Sandown a month ago. She got back and was never a factor there, but was the subject of some market support, so expecting a better showing today. Abstracted is first-up on the back of some good jumpout form. She’s been good at two spaced runs, both against some handy opposition. Drawn for a lovely run here, she looks hardest to beat. Innocent Moves has had a few chances to breakthrough, placing in six of nine starts. She was a narrowly beaten favourite at Wodonga first-up and can’t be discounted as a winning hope today. Expect Royal Mule to be forward enough to be competitive on debut, while Our Perfect Train will be fitter second-up and can be in this for longer.
Off The Deep End finds a suitable contest to kick-of her racing career today, and has shown good improvement throughout her preparation so far. Aitken can give her a lovely run tucked in behind the speed if she jumps cleanly and present her to run on in the straight. She can collect a cheque for connections on debut, a top four finish wouldn’t surprise.
Currently, Off The Deep End is a $20 chance in the market.