Warrnambool
Race 5 – Friday At Five
Jockey – Jaylah Kennedy
2000m – Barrier 9
Five-year-old mare Friday At Five gets back out to 2000-metres at Warrnambool this afternoon. The daughter of Zoustar has been racing consistently in similar grade of late, not far away over this trip two starts back before a sound effort at Caulfield’s Heath track last time out. Apprentice hoop Jaylah Kennedy claims 2kg and can be positive from the gates, in a race that lacks genuine early speed.
Mighty George and No Matter What will punch forward from the centre of the line and look to be somewhere near the front in the early parts, while Morrissette can take closer order from a low draw today. This galloper was solid from the back when first-up at Terang in a leader-dominated race, going down less than a length at 1600-metres. Quickly up in distance but does race well here (6:1-2-0). One of the main chances. Rasputina was making good late ground last start, finishing just over the top of Friday AT Five. Up in trip suits, strong each way claims in this. So too Whakamana from the inside alley, who beat home Vivideel at Ballarat last start. That reads well now. Concede chances to Dashing Duchess and Gotta Be Savvy, though the barrier gods were unkind.
Friday At Five is hard-fit when she lines up at 2000-metres today. She should find a lovely spot in the run, either outside or just behind the speed, how she handles the choppy ground will be key to her chances. Each way claims in an open affair.
Currently, Friday At Five is an $11 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 7 – Brungle Bertie
Jockey – Lee Horner
5500m – Grand Annual Steeplechase
Grand National Steeplechase winner Brungle Bertie has his first start in Warrnambool’s feature jumps race today, sure to relish every step of the 5500-metre journey. The eight-year-old son of Canford Cliffs has had three starts this preparation, taking good fitness from a solid run at Pakenham last start, and peaks for today’s contest. Regular rider Lee Horner reacquaints with the hulking gelding, looking for a repeat of their success at Ballarat in August.
Competitive field assembled, as expected, with last year’s winner Rockstar Ronnie and Grand National runner-up Bell Ex One shaping as two of the main contenders. Rockstar Ronnie has been to this track twice for a win and a narrow defeat, and did enough behind Stern Idol last start to suggest he’s ready to go today. Bell Ex One has had two flat starts and a number of jumps trials leading into today and only found Brungle Bertie better in Ballarat’s feature steeple. Strong claims. Dwyer stablemate Budd Fox was excellent in his return to jumping at Pakenham last start, and was favourite for this race two years ago before being scratched at the eleventh hour. He’ll be somewhere near the front throughout and could take catching. Brierley runner-up Instigator pushed Stern Idol right to the end and is on the two-day back-up here. Can’t be ignored. Great race.
Brungle Bertie is in excellent order leading into today’s race, and you can confidently say there are no queries around him staying the trip. He takes on a quality field, but he is a quality jumper. Strong claims.
Currently, Brungle Bertie is an $8 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 7 – Budd Fox
Jockey – Willie McCarthy
5500m – Grand Annual Steeplechase
Comeback jumper Budd Fox looks to make it two in a row when he takes on the 5500-metre Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool this afternoon. A one-time favourite of this race, the eight-year-old galloper showed he still has a thirst for the contest at Pakenham last start, comfortably holding yesterday’s winner Tom Foolery and taking good benefit from the run. Star jumps jockey Willie McCarthy keeps the ride and is sure to be midfield or better throughout the event.
Competitive field assembled, as expected, with last year’s winner Rockstar Ronnie and Grand National runner-up Bell Ex One shaping as two of the main contenders. Rockstar Ronnie has been to this track twice for a win and a narrow defeat, and did enough behind Stern Idol last start to suggest he’s ready to go today. Bell Ex One has had two flat starts and a number of jumps trials leading into today and only found Brungle Bertie better in Ballarat’s feature steeple. Strong claims. Dwyer stablemate Brungle Bertie won the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat in August, showing he’s not just a heavy track specialist. He’ll stay all day and comes in with a strong each way chance. Brierley runner-up Instigator pushed Stern Idol right to the end and is on the two-day back-up here. Can’t be ignored. Great race.
Budd Fox comes here with as strong a chance as any runner, and track conditions – though choppy – should be ideal for the Foxwedge gelding. He’ll get every chance to show his best in the run, and all things being equal, can be right there at the finish. Strong claims.
Currently, Budd Fox is a $7 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 8 – Brung King
Jockey – Will Price
1400m – Barrier 7
Talented galloper Brung King is second-up and fitter when he heads to Warrnambool this afternoon. The gelded son of Crackerjack King was sound when resuming at Terang over 1200-metres, and gets out to his favoured trip today. Jockey Will Price leaves from barrier seven and can lob outside or just behind the speed in a race that has limited early speed.
Ascension is the obvious go-forward horse in this, while Torogene and So Risque won’t be far away on settling. Very even contest. So Risque has had nine weeks between runs, having finished top-three in his past six race starts. There are two wins among those runs and he does like to put himself into the race early. That’s been a winning formula here this week, one of the main chances. Chief Altony was okay at The Valley first-up and improves up in trip today. Soft ground a plus, each way claims. So too Green Fly, who needs to overcome a sticky gate, and Belle Et Riche, who doesn’t win out of turn but is rarely far away. Can make a case for others.
Brung King boasts a terrific second-up record (3:2-0-1) and has missed a place just once from eight goes at this trip. His best is good enough to go close here, how he handles the choppy ground will be key to his chances.
Currently, Brung King is a $16 chance in the market.