| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
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1
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12:25
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bet365 Bet Boost Maiden Plate 1200m
Expecting Royal Overture to take up the lead at a genuine tempo. Testing way to kick off the carnival and might be able to start off with a value play. ROYAL OVERTURE (13) started $31 on debut over 1412m at Echuca and it was only in the last furlong that she felt the pinch. With that under the belt, and back in trip, she could take some running down, hopefully at a nice price again. MENZIES CREEK (5) is a seven-start maiden who looks close to breaking the duck after finishing in the placings at his last couple of runs, most recently when 4 lengths away in second over 1300m at Stawell. Blinkers come off now and draws beautifully. PIERRE LE QUILL (6) missed the placings first up recently but was not too far from the winner when fourth over 1109m at Echuca. Can go on with it. TIJOLA (9) was out of the money when resuming from a spell last start over 1100m at Werribee, beaten 3 lengths. Fitter now and nicely placed to play a pivotal role. SUGGESTED PLAY: Royal Overture each-way. |
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2
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01:00
|
The Bottle O Swan Hill Maiden Plate 1200m
Cheers To Us to go to the lead at a genuine tempo. PRAVAHA (10) resumed from a spell last start with a sound third over 1300m at Seymour, which looked a stronger race than she meets here. With added fitness from the first-up run she looks the testing material. Patrick Payne is not renowned for having his triallers fighting out the finish, but that's what FULL DISPLAY (5) has been doing. That suggests she'll be forward enough to give this a shake. TARA'S CROWN (12) was good on debut then disappointed at the next couple before giving a hot fav a run for its money last time out. A repeat of that would have her in the mix here. FRENCH PALACE (4) is another first-starter from a stable not renowned for pushing them at the trials but she's placed at her only two and draws to get her chance. HEXED (6) is coming off a first-up fourth, when admittedly beaten a long way, but she'll be fitter for that and has the advantage of the inside alley. SUGGESTED PLAY: Pravaha to win. |
|
3
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01:35
|
Footts Swan Hill Demolition Group Maiden Plate 1200m
Angling For Info should lead at a slick tempo. Some might find it hard to go again on AQUA STORM (3) after he was beaten at short quotes in his only two runs in the debut campaign, but the lack of depth here means he'll go around favourite again. Has changed camps since the last start, joining Shane Jackson, who is renowned for his work with tried horses, and he's trialled up nicely in preparation for the return. MAGNUS MAXIMUS (7) looked good first-up, when beaten just half-a-length, and although unplaced last time he was only beaten 1-3/4 lengths so he can easily feature here. They look the two main hopes. ROUGHNUT (9) could be best of the rest now he's at peak fitness from a good draw on his home track. ANGLING FOR INFO (2) hasn't won, but places more often than not, and strikes the right race to do so again. MAG MAX (6) can improve here in a race much easier than his past two runs at Geelong and Seymour. SUGGESTED PLAY: Aqua Storm to win. |
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4
|
02:10
|
Jarrod Arentz Electrical & Solar Solutions BM66 Handicap 2400m
From the inside gate Prince Pinot has the dash to lead, but My Uncle Did It and Powerful Torque should be right on her heels. POWERFUL TORQUE (2) hit the frame two starts ago at Mornington but ran below par last time when sixth and beaten 9 lengths over 2000m at Caulfield after being in contention on the bend. Faces an easier assignment so he is likely to play a big role. MY UNCLE DID IT (5) found one marginally better last start over 2720m at Werribee after being prominent throughout. The poor run prior in BM70 grade was the only blip in recent form, so can easily get back into the winner's stall here. AURORA RISE (9) was allowed to drift back from an outside draw last time but found the line strongly to finish sixth, beaten 2.75 lengths, over 2546m in the G3 SA Fillies Classic at Morphettville. Will appreciate this grade. VEGAS JACK (1) scored last start at Geelong to make it back-to-back wins and while this is a step up, confidence will be high. UNTETHERED (3) is back from a couple of hurdle runs but will be strong late. SUGGESTED PLAY: Powerful Torque each-way. |
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5
|
02:45
|
Commercial Hotel Swan Hill VOBIS Gold Elvstroem Classic 1300m
Strong tempo assured from Magiconi and Running Rich leading the charge. One of the big ones of the day and a race that has been the launching pad for a number of great careers. You get the feeling this has been a target race for MOUNTJOY (10), who hit the line well over 1000m on debut. Draws out a touch but will be suited by the big, long straight and the extra 300m. MAGICONI (4) was smashed in getting on debut and had his chance, only to find one better. Obviously talented and can go one better. TIFFANY (9) comes through the VOBIS Gold Rush at Bendigo, where she failed to place, but came from a long way back in a performance that suggested she's got talent. Finishing in front of Tiffany at Bendigo was RUNNING RICH (3), who turned in a plucky effort to finish third and has won a trial since. SUGGESTED PLAY: Mountjoy each way. |
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6
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03:20
|
Vernon's Steel BM78 Handicap 1200m
Jacks On Ice has good early speed and can set a decent tempo. KA YING CHEER (1) has been up for a while, but has been a model of consistency all prep and that fitness edge might be a telling factor in a race where a number of the other major players are only early in the prep. BARBIE'SDREAMWORLD (2) is certainly in that boat and while she will most likely to get to better races than this later in the prep, they are likely to be over a little further. Still, she has a win and a third placing from three first-up runs and was a winner at her only start this trip. JACKS ON ICE (4) hits this race second up after a great return, when only narrowly beaten by Ka Ying Cheer, and he goes even better second up, so he's a must for quaddies. SEA POEM (8) kicked off last prep here as well and while he failed to fire that day, he progressed through the grades and has trialled like a horse who has improved again between campaigns. WOLF TWENTY ONE (7) steps up in grade, but got within a length of a handy one second-up and looks progressive. SUGGESTED PLAY: Ka Ying Cheer to win. |
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7
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03:55
|
Pooles Accountants Golden Topaz 1200m
Hot pace certain with Gold Spirit, Cripps and Fancify keen to take up the running. One of country Victoria's premier sprint races and the traditional feature of Day 1, this year's Topaz is about as tricky as they come. FANCIFY (4) was adequate at the first run for the new stable, beaten 4 lengths in Listed grade at Flemington, and with that under the belt she can improve on her good second-up record. SALSA FELLOW (9) is up sharply in grade here, but launched late to score a thrilling win at Warrnambool and draws better than a number of key players. STEEL MOVE (10) is building a good career record and a stylish Flemington jumpout win hinted at a big first-up showing. PRESS DOWN (8) needs to lift on the Wangoom run, but won this race two years ago and was runner-up last year, so he obviously loves the place and gets blinkers for the first time. SUGGESTED PLAY: Fancify to win. |
|
8
|
04:30
|
Ultima Hotel BM70 Handicap 1600m
Plenty of pace from the outset with Seethru and Pharoah's Glory leading the charge. DRAMATICUS (2) finished second two runs back at Pakenham then improved last time out to score by a nose as public elect over 1400m at Bendigo. The runner-up has since won in town, so no reason he doesn't go close again from the gun draw. EM SIXTY (6) hasn't placed in three runs this time in, but they've been in stronger races than this and he now gets to a trip that he's two from two. SEETHRU (11) won two starts back when resuming but couldn't back it up last time over 1400m at Pakenham when fourth. May be looking for this longer trip now. Has good early toe so he should be handy in the run. PHAROAH'S GLORY (14) was in a different class last time with a dominant all-the-way win by 7 lengths at Stawell over 1600m. This is obviously tougher, but going too well to ignore. STOP THE ROCK (1) looks like a horse who will need further, but he tends to bob up at big prices. Has won first-up, has won this trip and has also won here. SUGGESTED PLAY: Dramaticus to win. |
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