BLOGS

Track – Currently Rated Good 4

Rail – +14m 1200m to 400m, +12m 400m to WP, +9m Remainder, Sectional 619m.

Race 1: Sabois + BM 82 Handicap 2500m

We kick off the with stayers race, just the usual suspects going around here. Olympic Academy has opened a short price favourite for the in-form Grant Young Stable. Doesn’t look much speed here on paper.

Blake Says: No interest at all here. Olympic Academy a deserved favourite but is too short. Staying out.

Lachlan Says: A BM82 race and only two horse in the field have a rating better than 59. These are woeful affairs and would not bet on it with stolen money. Next.

Race 2: Sabois 3YO BM 70 Handicap 1543m

Good race with some nice types going around. Stolen Away has opened up favourite, looks a promising type out of the Clarken stable. Stolen Away should work across to lead these, with Yankee Eyes also prominent.

Blake Says: Stolen Away looks a promising type, looks to get complete control on the speed here, stepping up in distance a slight query. Small Scale was very strong when winning last start, loses Kah and will need luck with its racing pattern but where getting each way odds. Blue Hope must be respected with J. Mott coming over for just the one ride. Stolen Away narrowly on top, not a race I’m keen to get involved in.

Lachlan Says: Pretty keen to back Small Scale on an each-way basis here. Loved the first at performance and then got the job done at Strathalbyn. Step up in trip looks ideal, Chris Caserta in the form of his life and the horse might just have more progression than the rest.

Race 3: 4UP BM 70 Handicap 1600m

Race over the mile here with a lot of in form types engaged. Naseeb opens up favourite. Doesn’t look much speed on paper, Exalted Lauretta the likely leader.

Blake Says: Like Naseeb here, got back last start and was over racing in what was a slowly run race dominated by the on pacers. Draws to do no work and settle closer here, with any luck will be very hard to hold out late.

Lachlan Says: Looks a pretty even bunch here so hard to extract betting value from the race. Think Alike ran a good 2nd to Blue Hope the start previous. So if Blue Hope comes out and wins the 2nd then you could possibly have a nibble on Think Alike here but it’s not a race I’m enthused about.

Race 4: BM 90 Handicap 1600m

We are over the mile again. Equal favourites with Royal Rumble and Morvada both going up $2.50. It’s Humphrey and Mihany look the clear speed here.

Blake Says: Not much interest here. Have Morvada on top and think it will start favourite but id need $3+ to consider having a bet.

Lachlan Says: I think it’s a raffle between the 3 that are hard in the market. No value to be found. Will be wishing Balf’s Choice connections the best of luck but happy to watch them go around here.

Race 5: BM 75 Handicap 1200m

Good race with some exciting types engaged. Illumicon opens up favourite for the McEvoy stable after going down as a favourite first up. Expecting Crown Fontein to kick up from the inside barrier to hold out Illumicon.

Blake Says: Was very impressed with Crown Fontein last start showing his versatility, looks the leader here and should prove hard to catch. Illumicon had his chance first up, should take improvement from the run but looks unders. Have a good opinion of both Amberdi and Kabini, but map looks a touch tricky for both of them. Watch and learn race for me.

Lachlan Says: Crown Fontein is racing extremely well. Is a versatile horse who can lead and kick or take a sit and produce late. Nice draw and R.Clark knows the horse well. Holy Command has won 2/3 first up and never runs a bad one. Back them both on the nose and a result should fly your way.

Race 6: Class 2 Handicap 1200m

Over the 1200m again here and Danger Deal opens up favourite closely followed by Behave who is first up for the Clarken stable and has not trialled. Looks good speed with Surreal Image, Shall We Hope and Tambang Besi all prominent.

Blake Says: Danger Deal is an honest type and looks to find a suitable race here but rarely wins. Hard to have any confidence in this race with Behave a massive unknown. Clarken has a great strike rate with these tried horses, has been well backed in early markets. Big watch, staying out.

Lachlan Says: Danger Deal the class animal of this event. Might have to overcome a sticky draw though. Tambang Besi seems to do her best work first up and running in town first up from a spell suggests the horse may be up to it. The one I’m keen on at a price is Datura. Only moderate first up but happy to forgive that and gets in with the featherweight here. A nice rough chance.

Race 7: BM 70 Handicap 1050m

Some speedy types engaged here. Musical Query opens up favourite and is on the back up after running last Saturday. Domination, Blind Chance and All Carisma will all be looking for the lead here.

Blake Says: Like Domination on an each way basis here. Went well last start on his debut for the Grant Young stable when flying along in front and sticking on strongly to finish behind the promising Crown Fontein and Everyday Lady. Should give a great sight.

Lachlan Says: Can’t really dive into All Carisma at the $4.20 here. Looking forward to seeing what IDATWO does first up from a long spell. Has a stack of ability when right. May need a run or two but worth keeping an eye out for something down the track (if he runs well enough). Staying out of this one.

Race 8: BM 64 Handicap 1800m

Open race to finish off the day with Picture Me Rolling opening favourite. Doesn’t look much speed here, expecting Yucatan to take it up.

Blake Says: This is wide open. Grabbing Glory looks suited rising in distance, will most likely have to go well back from the barrier and be saved for one last run at them. As a rough hope Cosmic Charm is racing well in the country, draws to get a soft run here and could run into a place in a race of this nature.

Lachlan Says: Happy to have a nibble each-way on JACKTHEGIANTSLAYER here. Drawn well and never runs a bad race. Ran a good 7th at Flemington 3 starts back before winning at Bordertown. Another extremely open event with 8+ chances.

Blakes Overview

Best – R3 #2 Naseeb

Best Each Way – R7 #4 Domination

Best Roughie – R8 #12 Cosmic Charm

Lachlan’s Overview

Best – R2 #7 Small Scale

Best Each Way – R6 #9 Datura

Best Roughie – R8 #7 Jackthegiantslayer