3 minute read

Peter Hardacre would like to lock the borders ahead of Saturday’s Group 2 $202,250 Tobin Bronze Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.

Peter Hardacre saddles up one of just four South Australian runners in the feature in the form of Press Down who comes off an eye catching run when third behind Sangster hopeful I'mlovin'ya in the Listed Redelva Stakes.

"They keep coming,'' Hardacre said of the interstate raiders.

"I'd like to close the borders,'' he said.

Press Down has had a steady progression for one of the state's brightest trainers, in the money at five of his six starts with his only unplaced run coming on Adelaide Cup Day when he had a genuine reason for being beaten 3.5 lengths behind Validated.

"He had that accident on Adelaide Cup Day where he was galloped on early in the race and that set him back a little bit but since then he's been great,'' Hardacre said.

He won at Morphettville at his following start at $19 before he was backed from $17 into $10 when third behind I'mlovin'ya in the Redelva.

"He's done really well since,'' Hardacre said.

"He's relaxing better in his races and his work at home.

"The 1200m this weekend should suit and in time he's probably going to get over further,'' he said.

Press Down is marked a $21 chance from barrier seven, John O'Connor's Grey River is marked a $34 chance in a race loaded with interstate quality.

Richard and Chantelle Jolly have $41 chance Klabel while Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas' Hope At Hand will go around at $51.