Warrnambool   06 Jul 2025
 
GOING: H

Hammonds Paints Thackeray Steeplechase 3450m

Track: Heavy 8   Clouds (Max: 15)   Rail: Out 4m Entire Circuit. (Pent: 5.79)  

Stern Idol should lead them up today, with a bit of pressure from Leaderboard. Only five runners. STERN IDOL (1) was heavily backed in the Australia Chase at Sandown five weeks back, and won accordingly beating LEADERBOARD (2) by less than a length. That was on rain-affected going and they'll likely strike a similar surface again today. Fully expecting that pair to make up the top two in this one as well. FABALOT (3) looks some chance on recent form, having won a Terang maiden chase on June 15 over 3200m in the wet. Tougher now of course, but looks to be in some kind of form. INSTIGATOR (4) ran second in the Grand Annual on May 1, and although this is must shorter, he should definitely be respected. MUSTANG HARRY (5) looks to be just making up numbers here. SUGGESTED PLAY: Sticking with Stern Idol to win this.
1 x3241 STERN IDOL
CIARON MAHER
8YO  BAY  GELDING 72.0KG
G T Ryan, N E Grant, M O'Reilly, F A Sedgman, D J Kelly, S Kekovich, L A Wiegard, J Carnavas, J Ribot De Bresac, P J Blunden, J R Sutcliffe & A McPherson
Racing well. Resumes off a 35 day letup. Last run favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.8 len Sandown-Lakeside Aust Chase on June 1 over 3900m on rain affected going defeating Leaderboard with 73kg at $1.85 in a jumps. The start before that; finished fourth of 8 runners at this track Hdle-Swp on April 30 over 3200m, slow track; 2 len behind The Cunning Fox carrying 70.5kg at $3.30. Too good as odds-on pop at Sandown latest, and the one to beat here.
4
STEVEN PATEMAN
Royal Blue And White Checks, Green Sleeves And Cap
2 11f72 LEADERBOARD
MARK WALKER
10YO  BROWN  GELDING 65.0KG
Fortuna Leaderboard (Mgr: J Galvin)
Useful type. Resumes off a 35 day letup. Last start held ground to the line finished second of 9 starters at Sandown-Lakeside Aust Chase on June 1 over 3900m, on slow going 0.8 len behind Stern Idol carrying 66kg at $9.50. Run before ran last at Mornington Bm70 on May 26 over 3000m, 35 len behind Affluential carrying 58kg at $21. Sure to improve again. Comes through the right race and can go one better here.
2
WILL GORDON
Tangerine, White Sash, Fortuna Logo, White Sleeves, Tangerine And Royal Blue Hoops, Quartered Cap
3 0x851 FABALOT
SYMON WILDE
8YO  BAY  GELDING 65.0KG
M Krauser, D Davidson, P W Riedel, Mrs J N Krauser, M M Krauser, Mrs E Zelikova, Mrs B B Watkins, M T Watkins, M B Davidson, M Olenski, M Wolper, Mrs L Davidson, Ms D K Wright & J Davidson
Useful gelding. Last run won by 2 len Terang Mdn Chase on June 15 over 3200m in the wet defeating Prismatic with 69.5kg at $6.50 in a jumps. Before that finished fifth of 8 runners at this track Hdle-Swp on April 30 over 3200m, on slow going 17 len behind The Cunning Fox carrying 69kg at $31. Gets a chance to win. Each-way contender in this small field.
5
WILLIAM MCCARTHY
Royal Blue, Yellow Quarters, Hooped Sleeves, Quartered Cap
4 l3320 INSTIGATOR
AARON PURCELL
11YO  BAY  GELDING 65.0KG
Purcells Enjoy Racing, Mastermind, L Leahy, Mrs M Leahy, M Beecham, P Beecham, B McClintock, Mrs P Moore & M Moore
Last start ran on from midfield; finished 12th of 14 runners at Ballarat Bm64 on June 29 over 2600m, slow track; 22 len behind Ferago carrying 61.5kg at $41. Before that held ground to the line finished second of 10 starters at this track Gr Annual on May 1 over 5500m, on slow going 12 len behind Duke Of Bedford with 64.5kg at $5.50. Doubt he's going well enough to win, but might sneak into the top three.
1
TOM RYAN
Purple, Gold Yoke And Armbands, Quartered Cap
5 80x00 MUSTANG HARRY
KAYE EDWARDS
9YO  BAY  GELDING 65.0KG
J Gavin, Mrs M Gavin, Mrs A Gavin, Mrs G Macpherson, P Ryan, P Kelly, Mrs R Kelly, J Kelly, K Kenna & F Kenna
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up finished tenth of 12 starters at Casterton 0 - 58 on May 18 over 2000m, slow track; 9 len behind Mangione with 54kg at $101. Second run from a spell ran last at Casterton Bm58-Hwt on June 29 over 2000m, slow track; 18 len behind Idon'tgetit with 65kg at $201. Definite winning chance. Suspect he's just making up the numbers today.
3
JORDAN HART
Light Blue, Black Shamrock And Seams, Black Cap