| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
|
1
|
12:15
|
Remembering Margaret McDonald 1400m
Just a moderate tempo given the absence of pacy gallopers. PRESTIGE OLE (1) has won his past two, scoring narrow wins at Ballarat and Flemington. They've been bunched finishes in slow times which can be hard to gauge but he was well on top at the finish last time and those late splits at the end of 1400m give him the nod. Has the experience edge - particularly at the trip. KALEO (5) worked home well on debut at Mornington, giving every indication that 1400m would suit. In the mix. Watch the market with KAKKOII (4) on debut. Lovely profile with the deep Japanese pedigree which ties back to Mosheen. CASUAL GHAI (3) did finish ahead of Kaleo at Mornington and has to be respected given that. SUGGESTED PLAY: Prestige Ole to win. |
|
2
|
12:45
|
MRC Foundation Gala May 8 Handicap 1100m
Gracie's Rain should spear straight to the front of the small field. Likely map advantages give GRACIE'S RAIN (3) the nod. She's a mare in great form, winning two in a row prior to last start when just finding a couple too strong at Mornington. Back out to 1100m where she'd been winning prior is no issue, and there doesn't really look much pressure for the front. SMART LITTLE MISS (5) has won both starts this time in, swooping from the back on each occasion. Not doubting how she's going, but she may give a horse like Gracie a fair head start. AVEBURY (2) was just fair fresh at Mornington in a bunched finish but was off 11 months there and should be much fitter. She's got ability, don't discount. ATLANTIC SPIRIT (1) is going well this time in and will be hard to hold out. HEARCOMESTHESTAR (4) can figure fresh. SUGGESTED PLAY: Gracie's Rain to win. |
|
3
|
01:20
|
Henley Homes Handicap 1100m
Babushka Miss is expected to lead at a keen tempo. SCAMPI (3) had always promised to be a good horse without delivering, but really put it together with a dominant 5.5 length win at Ballarat last time out. That was only a 0-64 but his previous profile says he's right up to this. FLUENT (7) measured up well in a Listed race in Adelaide last time won by Reserve Bank, who subsequently won the G2 Tobin Bronze last week and now heads to the G1 Goodwood. She can take a sit here and run a big race. JUST FOR SHOW (1) resumes. He's a talented horse who won three of four last time in. Pays a bit for that at the weights but has earned it. SYMPHONY OF COLOUR (6) was good fresh and is in the mix. SUGGESTED PLAY: Scampi to win. |
|
4
|
01:55
|
ive > Handicap 1400m
Genuine tempo anticipated with good speed engaged. KALKALLO (4) brings the right form into this, trying hard in the Bendigo Guineas last start when closing well for a narrow second to Wonder Boy. He actually drops 4kg off that effort and with any luck from a wide gate he looks the one to beat. NOSTRINGSATTACHED (1) is a progressive type who won three in a row, measuring up last start at Listed level in Sydney. Has the full 60kg here but Shinn is on and he should take beating. RUE DE ROYALE (2) stuck on well in the Bendigo Guineas and has claims. Will be up on speed and making them all chase him down. SUGAR COAT (7) didn't threaten first up and this is tougher but the late splits were good and fitter now. SUGGESTED PLAY: Kalkallo to win. |
|
5
|
02:30
|
Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap 1000m
Expecting a strong gallop with Shirshov and Acromantula taking up the running over Twin Perfection. FLEETWOOD (3) is the one with some upside that appeals here. He resumes having run just once last time in, fourth in the G3 Warra at Kembla Grange, beaten 1.5 lengths by Headwall which reads very well now. He's got a strong overall profile and has won a trial leading in. Whether 1000m is just on the sharp side remains to be seen but he'll be charging late. SHIRSHOV (6) is racing very well this time in. He tried hard sitting outside the speedy Midwest in the $500,00 country discovery at Echuca last time out. Only needs to hold that form and he'll be in this for a very long way. FASUTO (8) has been good in two runs back, back to 1000m should be fine for him and he can track the hot speed. OAK HILL (4) has a good record and did beat home Shirshov at Echuca from a long way back. Up in the weights this time but gets Shinn up. BIG ME (10) also comes through the Echuca lead up and hit the line well there. SUGGESTED PLAY: Fleetwood to win. |
|
6
|
03:05
|
MRC Chairman's Club Handicap 2000m
Aramco is the likely leader and should be able to get there comfortably. IMMEDIACY (3) is entered in Thursday's Warrnambool Cup so there's good reason to expect he won't be here, but if he is, he's clearly the one to beat. He closed off well fresh and went right on with it at Mornington, coming clear in an open handicap when well backed to score by 1.5 lengths. Sets up nicely here. Big watch on AETHELFLAED (9). She ran a huge race for 2nd to Zardozi in the 2023 Victoria Oaks before doing a tendon. She resumed off a long spell and was panels above in a Class 1 at Canberra fresh. Have to respect. ARDAKAN (1) creates interest in his Australian debut. Off a long break but has form around top line stayers overseas. SHAIYHAR (4) is back in the right race and can bounce back strongly. SUGGESTED PLAY: Immediacy to win. |
|
7
|
03:40
|
Evergreen Turf Handicap 2000m
Plenty of pace from the outset with The Muffin Man and Northwood Vamoose leading the charge. THE MUFFIN MAN (5) steps up to 2000m for the first time having stuck on well behind Athanatos at Flemington last time out. That form has worked out well in Adelaide and if Ethan Brown can slide across with minimal fuss he should take catching. OXFORD BLUE (3) gets to 2000m now which should suit. He's going well, just fancy he wants a stronger staying test. Shinn on is a positive. HURRY CURRY (2) wasn't bad last time and should be suited to this trip. JENNI YOU THINK (8) has only raced twice and there's definite upside to come. SUGGESTED PLAY: The Muffin Man can get the right run. |
|
8
|
04:20
|
Tile Importer Anniversary Vase 1600m
Genuine tempo with Regal Zeus and Pride Of Jenni up front. Easily the most fascinating race on the card. Not many would've predicted PRIDE OF JENNI (1) turning up in this sort of race. She's a three-time Group 1 winner in a Listed Quality race, with between 20-52 official handicap points between her and her rivals. The return win from a brief retirement was very good, albeit ridden perfectly without any pressure, before really struggling in the Australian Cup. Obviously the 61kg is hefty but on class and ratings she should be giving them more, it's just where she's at in her career. Could win easily or be well beaten, inclined to the former. REGAL ZEUS (2) is flying. Quickly to this trip last time but was too strong. Looks the main danger. HELLSING (5) won well last time and can be strong late. QUICKSTER (7) might be an improver at big odds. She's got ability on her day. POUNDING (3) should be ready to peak third up. SUGGESTED PLAY: Pride Of Jenni to win. |
|
9
|
04:55
|
Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap 1400m
Nation's Call and Bigolino possess good early speed and will set a genuine tempo. SUNSHINEINMYPOCKET (10) is going well and just needs the right race shape from a tough draw to be winning this. Got back onto a dry track at Bendigo and ran on strongly for second up the inside to Marble Nine which is solid form. Still on the up but the map is tricky. HUGHES (7) has won his past two in BM70 company and is hard to knock despite rising in grade slightly. He's drawn somewhat wide but does have some early speed to try and slot in. RED PHANTOM (4) is in fine form, just finding one better at his past couple since a strong win in the Echuca Cup. Can either lead or sit in the box seat and that could well prove the difference. HIYAAM PROUD (14) resumes. He's a promising type who ran some good races last time in and profiles like one that can measure up here. CARBONADOS (12) can mix his form but has claims on best. SUGGESTED PLAY: Sunshineinmypocket on top. |
