Murray Bridge
Race 1 – Petroula
Jockey – Ben Price
900m – Barrier 1
Promising filly Petroula makes her first raceday appearance at Murray Bridge this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Magna Grecia jumped out soundly on the Synthetic at Ballarat in preparation for today, bouncing quickly and held together throughout in a pleasing effort for today. Jockey Ben Price leaves from the inside alley and can use her early speed to hold a position near the speed, giving her every chance to find a kick in the home straight and finish her race off over 900-metres.
A few debutants engaged here, making it a tricky speed map, but expect In Love and Petite Puissance to roll forward from towards the outside, while Shimshalar ad Star Gladiator won’t be far away in the early dash. In Love had three starts in her first preparation, not disgraced in two attempts at Listed grade and going close in a relatively strong 2YO race at her other start. She returned a runner-up at Balaklava a fortnight ago (beaten 3.5 lengths) and comes here fitter for that run. One of the main chances. Star Gladiator impressed winning a trial leading into today, jumping to the front and winning comfortably, albeit in modest time. Each way claims on debut. Shimshalar comes here fitter third-up, while Prodigal Lad will be better for a sound fresh effort at this track three weeks ago. Both with minor claims.
Petroula will be better for the raceday experience and trip away from home, and how she handles the occasion is key to her chances. She has the ability to beat a field like this, whether she’s mentally ready to do that is the query. Each way claims today.
Currently, Petroula is a $7 chance in the market.
Murray Bridge
Race 4 – Stormsarrived
Jockey – Jacob Opperman
2500m – Barrier 8
Last start Maiden winner Stormsarrived rises slightly in grade to a BM56 race at Murray Bridge this afternoon. The four-year-old daughter of Akeed Mofeed showed a strong will to win at Swan Hill last start, fighting off a sustained challenge from the odds-on favourite on that occasion to lead and find the line best over 2400-metres. The extra 100-metres today should be no concern, jockey Jacob Opperman able to roll forward on the mare and find a forward position throughout the run.
Shearman Dyer will roll forward from towards the outside and look to find the top in the early parts, while New World Tapestry and King Of Avalon can punch through from the middle and settle thereabouts heading into the back. Shearman Dyer comes right back in grade for this today, not beaten far in two recent attempts at this track and trip. Two wins from twenty-three starts the knock, but only needs to hold his form to go close in this. Hardest to beat in a race that falls away quickly. Concede each way chances to King Of Avalon, who is has been good at his past couple, and Scamster, who should receive a soft run throughout. Hard to enthuse others.
Stormsarrived finds a suitable race to progress from Maiden grade, hard fit and racing well at this point of her preparation. She’s had a few days to settle in across the border and should get every chance from up near the speed again today. Strong each way claims in a moderate affair.
Currently, Stormsarrived is a $5.50 chance in the market.
Murray Bridge
Race 6 – Zuri Miss
Jockey – Jacob Opperman
1400m – Barrier 9
Last start Maiden winner Zuri Miss gets blinkers for the first time when she heads to Murray Bridge this afternoon. The five-year-old daughter of Smart Missile travelled to Adelaide last week to settle in before today’s run, where she backs up from a comfortable win at Mildura over this trip four weeks ago. Jockey Jacob Opperman leaves from gate nine in a field of fourteen and can find cover in the early parts, able to find room to run on late in the expanses of the home straight.
Good early speed in this, with all of Easy Beast, Dare To Be Free, Night Cruiser and Abit Rattley to press forwards from middle barriers, while expect Aloha Blue to be thereabouts early rising in trip today. Even bunch to sift through in this. Abit Rattley was solid at his first outing for twelve months at Port Augusta three weeks ago, coming here fitter today for that fifth-placed effort. Suited up to 1400-metres, but like most of these, does find it hard to win. Among the better chances. Dare To Be Free is a winner of just one race from fourteen starts, placing on eight occasions, twice at this track and trip. Couldn’t possibly trust her to find the line first, but must be considered a strong each way chance. Mr Trafficanti can improve back to a dry grass surface today, while veteran galloper Harbouring is shooting at two-in-a-row at this track and trip. Both with each way claims. Hard to make a case for others.
Zuri Miss will be better out to a mile later in her preparation, but does strike a winnable race today. A solid tempo should set up nicely for her to present and run on late, providing she settles in the run with blinkers applied. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Zuri Miss is a $9 chance in the market.