3 minute read
They raced on a soft 5 and the track played very fair. Four favourites won on the day. Trainer John Bateman and jockey Blaike McDougall linked for two winners.
Race 1: XXX Gold BM 65 1300m
The four best-backed ran the first four but not quite in the order the market expected. The winner QUANTUM TIME got a perfect run behind the speed and came away for a comfortable win for the local Gratz Vella yard with Paddy Scorse riding. The gelding didn’t enjoy the slow surface prior in stronger grade. It was a nice win and he can go on. The well-backed favourite BALLONE was a bit keen early and came from back and finished it off well without being knocked around. Stick with him as well.
Race 2: Tab.com.au BM 60 1600m
The race changed completion at the barrier when the fancied Monte Majura found to be lame in the near foreleg and was scratched. This left the Nick-Olive-trained BELLA DELUXE as the public elect, but she found FISCAL POLICY a touch too good thanks to a gem of a ride from Jess Taylor. It got busy up front and Taylor sat just off them holding the rail. She manoeuvred three wide at the turn and in a blanket finish held them off under hard riding. Bella Deluxe came hard to just pip BURRANGONG in second. The latter moved into a three wide position at the 800m and was tough. Little BISCUIT was last early and didn’t have much luck in the straight. He switched to the rail and finished it off well to be beaten less than a length. He’s one to take out of the race along with Bella Deluxe, who was eating up the ground late and should appreciate longer.
Race 3: NCG Services Class 1 1200m
The money kept coming for WYENDRA and the mare duly obliged by 3.6L. It was the first of a double for the John Bateman-Blaike McDougall linkage. The mare has shown good ability early on and it was just a case of whether she’d be presented in winning order off the 44 week spell. She sat midfield and improved at the turn and proved far too good storming down the middle of the track. METRALLIA was no match for the winner but ran on well and is back in good order. Next time for her. The winner impressed and she will go on. AWAY SHE GOES missed the start badly and was never a chance and HARDSPOT was very disappointing and will be spelled.
Race 4: Aussie Night Markets Maiden 1300m
Favourite punters were on the mark again with ASSAULT ‘N’ BATHORY saluting easily by 6.4L. He jumped with them on Friday and rolled over to establish a comfortable lead. The well-backed second favourite AURORA RUN camped on him but gave nothing as the winner scooted away. Though well-beaten, SPANISH RAIN ran on well into second. No excuses the others. Aurora Run will likely be better for the outing. DIRTY LITTLE SECRET was scratched at the barriers after becoming cast.
Race 5: Schweppes Maiden 1000m
PERSEPOLIS was the third of four favourites to win on the day. The 2yo filly debuted off a Kembla trial and the word was out. Opened at $ 2.80 and started at $3.50. She got up by a nose from the second favourite and another debutant PISA MY HEART. Both gallopers impressed as did the local BONITAS beaten just 1.6L resuming. All will be better for the experience. Persepolis missed the jump by a length and showed speed to sit midfield on the rail. The split came in the straight and she just gathered in the brave Pisa My Heart who led with Bonitas sitting right on her all the way. Expect this to be a good form Maiden.
Race 6: Elvin Group BM 55 2000m
On what we had seen it was hard to have EDEN VALLEY but the market said otherwise. The Sydney-trained gelding opened at $4.60 and was backed into $3.80 favourite. He settled mid field and found himself in the last four on the turn. It was a terrific ride by Guymer who eased him out of the ruck and came down the middle strongly to just beat JEDDAH AHEADAH who had a nice run sitting just off the speed. It was a good effort from the former Victorian who was rising in trip from the mile. RED MY MIND battled to the line third. The Matt Dale stablemate WHISKY ‘N’ DIAMONDS disappointed and must trial to the satisfaction of stewards before racing again. ISADORA TWINKLE hit the line okay in fourth
Race 7: TAB Federal BM 70 1000m
SHOW ME THE HONEY was the second winner on the day for the John Bateman yard when he saluted in a strong Federal. He resumed for the new yard and after sitting behind the leader finished strongly to just beat OUR FINVARRA and DOLLY’S DUE. Show Me The Honey can only be improved. The Nick Olive pair NOBODY’S PUPPET and STAR OF THE CLAN ran first and second favourite respectively. The former was hampered on jumping and raced wide without cover. The latter – who was coming off a long break - led as she wished and looked the winner mid-straight before the fitness gave out. She will be much better next time. The efforts of Our Finvarra and Dolly’s Due both had merit and they hit the line well.
Race 8: Capital Trophies & Sportswear Class 1 1600m
TRIBBIANI was expected to win the last race on the cards at an SP of $2.90 but just found PAHRULI too good after a tough run early. Pahruli began awkwardly before mustering on the rail to sit just off the pace. She was able to find clear running at the 200m and just put them away. Tribbiani was very brave in the circumstances and PINETTI was also good given a nice on-pace ride by McDougall. FUTURE TIME started $5.00, but disappointed going a few things wrong.
