Horsham
Race 4 – Deep Stream
Jockey – Jack hill
1800m – Barrier 7
Improving galloper Deep Stream is second-up and out in trip when he floats to Horsham this afternoon. The gelded son of Ghibellines raced wide up near the speed at Hamilton when fresh, battling on gamely to finish fourth at a mile on that occasion. Up to 1800-metres should suit, jockey Jack Hill able to slide across from gate seven to land outside or just behind the speed heading into the first turn.
Speed is okay, expecting Saint Galentine and Slayrider to punch forward from low draws, while Pensatore and Initial Moment can be thereabouts on settling. Saint Galentine was a strong finisher at her second career start at Warrnambool a fortnight ago, and should use the inside alley to take closer order in the run today. Any improvement from last time out sees her as the one to beat in this. Slayrider’s last two starts at a mile have been solid, and the extra furlong today looks to suit. Each way chance. So too Initial Moment, who was sound after missing the start hopelessly last time out. She can go close with a clean getaway. Others look stretched.
Deep Stream needs to step cleanly to find his position from a tricky draw, not wanting to be caught wide around a tight first bend. He never found cover at Hamilton but kicked on regardless to the line. With a kinder run in transit today, he can give this a shake. Each way claims.
Currently, Deep Stream is a $7 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 1 – King Alla
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
2440m – Barrier 6
Four-year-old galloper Deep Stream has his third career start this afternoon, getting out to a more suitable distance at Geelong. The gelded son of Crackerjack King has been a long way from the winner at both runs, but his work late in his races has been sound enough to suggest improvement is on the cards today. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from gate six and will look to take closer order in the run, leaving something in the locker to run on in the home straight.
Prince Pinot will roll across from an outside draw and look for the top early, while expect Cool King and Justified At Last to boot through and hold their positions passing the post for the first time. Can make a case for a few runners here. Cool King and Just Explosive filled the placings at this track behind an all-the-way winner a fortnight ago, less than a length separating them on that occasion. Expect both to be around the mark again today. Crater Lake beat home Justified At Last at Hamilton last start, but the latter gets 2kg off with an apprentice claim today. Both with each way claims. Prince Pinot the other hope here, likely to control the race from the front. Gets out to a suitable trip today and could prove hard to run down.
King Alla has been slowly away and settled a long way back in both career runs to date. His work at the back end of races has been good, and if he can settle closer in the run today, he can finish in the front half of the field.
Currently, King Alla is an $81 chance in the market.
Geelong
Race 6 – Salsa Fellow
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1125m – Barrier 3
Blue Point gelding Salsa Fellow comes back in distance and grade when he heads to Geelong this afternoon. The three-year-old galloper was okay at Pakenham behind a smart one last start, having been good at this track the start prior in November. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from gate three today and can settle outside or just behind the leader heading into the bend.
Speed comes from out wide with Chinqui to roll across and look for the top, while expect Pick ‘N’ Mix and Affirmative Lad to kick up and hold forward positions throughout. Pick ‘N’ Mix was a good winner on debut before beaten as a short-priced favourite at Mornington last time out. She was only headed in the final bounds there and no surprise to see her int his for a long way. Hardest to beat. Chinqui drops in grade after an okay effort at Flemington four weeks ago. Will need to work from the outside if he is to lead, but must be considered an each way chance. So too Stellar Mofeed, who was sound first-up on New Year’s Day, and Brighella, who will get the last crack at them.
Salsa Fellow draws for the right run here and will appreciate coming back to this grade. He finished alongside a subsequent city winner at Pakenham, that’s good form heading into this. Strong each way claims in an even race.
Currently, Salsa Fellow is an $8 chance in the market.