Ararat
Race 1 – Hot City
Jockey – Jamie Mott
2200m – Barrier 2
Four-year-old galloper Hot City comes back in trip to 2200-metres at Ararat this afternoon. The gelded son of Ilovethiscity has been sound in three of his past four starts, running on steadily into third position at Ballarat a fortnight ago when out over 2600-metres. Jockey ?? leaves from an inside draw today and will look to settle in the first half of the field passing the winning post for the first time.
Speed comes from the middle with Mash And Gravy to roll forward as he likes to do, while expect Morthan Efficient to be in the first few heading into the back straight. This galloper didn’t have much luck when a beaten favourite at Seymour last start, held up when looking for room at the top of the home straight. He was good once clear and races like he’ll appreciate getting to this trip today. Hardest to beat. Mash And Gravy should get every chance form the front on a track that often lends itself to on-speed runners. He’s been runner-up at two of his past three and can be in this for a long way. Each way hopes to Scorpion Bay, who ran second over a mile at this track last tie out, and Finn Mac, who can improve again up in trip.
Hot City is racing well enough to be somewhere in the finish in this, though coming back in distance is a minor query. He should enjoy a lovely trail behind the speed and have something to offer rounding the home bend. Each way claims.
Currently, Hot City is a $7 chance in the market.
Ararat
Race 7 – Sawbay
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1600m – Barrier 4
Talented mare Sawbay comes back to a mile at Ararat today, four weeks since her last run at Warrnambool. She was sound at 1700-metres on that occasion, with a view to stepping up in distance next time out, however a minor setback means today’s run becomes that stepping stone into next start. Jockey Mitch Aitken rides from gate four and can drift back in the early parts, looking to finish the race off late in the piece.
Speed comes from Adki in the middle who is the likely leader, while expect State Of Maine and Privacy Tour to roll across from out deeper on the course, and Boss Coni can punch through from nearer the rail and hold a forward position on settling. Boss Coni comes back in grade following a sound effort when beaten under a length in the Avoca Cup last time out. He beat home subsequent Moonee Valley winner Almonti on that occasion, and draws for an ideal run from gate three today. Each way claims in an even affair. So too Cortain, who won a similar contest two starts back at Echuca before an okay effort in stronger company last start. He’s won three times at a mile and gets in well with an apprentice claim. Privacy Tour has won a jumpout since failing on a heavy track, while Overflow Miss has been well-backed since markets opened. Both with claims.
Sawbay will use today as a means to stretch out over further, likely in seven days. Ability-wise, she can take care of a field like this, but will be back in the run and ay find a couple too sharp at this trip. Look for her to be warming up late.
Currently, Sawbay is an $11 chance in the market.