Warrnambool
Race 3 – Irish Butterfly
Jockey – Willie McCarthy
3200m Maiden Hurdle
Last start runner-up Irish Butterfly looks to go one better at his second go over the jumps at Warrnambool today. The eight-year-old gelding wasn’t suited on the firming surface here when beaten a length by Elementary five weeks ago, that galloper progressing to win comfortably up in grade since. Jockey Willie McCarthy has ridden Irish Butterfly in a pair of hurdle trials and was keen to get on raceday, getting his chance this afternoon to partner with the son of O’Reilly.
Leaderboard was sound at his local jumps debut, finishing second when beaten eight lengths at Pakenham. He left a further gap of five lengths to the third-placed runner and will be better for the experience today. One of the main contenders. Locally-trained Freddy The Eagle gets over the obstacles for the first time on raceday, looking capable in two recent hurdle trials. He’s been racing well on the flat and shapes as the other main danger in the race. Vadarchi is another who brings solid flat form into the race, a pair of jumps trials suggesting he won’t remain a maiden for long at this caper. Gambu may sneak into the top four.
Irish Butterfly was game in defeat here last time out, running second and leaving a whopping twelve lengths back to the next horse home. The form around Elementary is strong and a repeat effort has him right in the thick of things today. Hardest to beat.
Currently, Irish Butterfly is a $2.15 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 4 – Porrista
Jockey – John Allen
1200m – Barrier 6
Promising filly Porrista is second-up and fitter when she gets out to 1200-metres at Warrnambool this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Teplerion was slowly away on debut but hit the line strongly when third at Ballarat, the second-placed runner from that event coming out and winning its maiden easily at Seymour. The winner was narrowly beaten in Stakes grade in Adelaide at its next start, that looks strong form coming into this. Jockey John Allen leaves from barrier six and can find cover midfield, not wanting to be too far away turning for home.
Speed comes from the outside with Jenadar and All The Way Baby to roll across in the early stages, while Dimora Queen will punch through from the centre and search for the top. Darts Daily and Capzinzi will kick-up from nearer the rail to hold their positions, setting up what looks a genuine tempo in the run. Dimora Queen had just one start in her debut preparation, finishing runner-up behind subsequent winner and Stakes-places Flying Fizz. She won a recent jumpout leading in and is sure to be primed for this. Hardest to beat. Darts Daily ran second on debut in February, ticking over with a pair of jumpouts since. She was asked to lead at her latest and draws to find the front today. Each way claims. Capzinzi is fit for three runs this campaign and can get all the favours stalking the lead from an ideal gate, while Swanny Dee resumes having bumped into Southport Tycoon on debut in August. Both are in the mix. All The Way Baby next best but drawn terribly.
Porrista will be better for her debut experience and an extra furlong looks to suit on a big track. She needs to step cleanly to avoid leaving herself a task at the top of the straight, and has the turn of foot to match motors with these in the run home. Strong each way claims in a competitive race.
Currently, Porrista is a $5.50 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 5 – Over The Stars
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1000m – Barrier 11
Overshare filly Over The Stars is second-up when she travels to Warrnambool this afternoon. The two-year-old galloper was sound on debut at Caulfield’s Heath Track a fortnight ago, drawing wide and running home soundly behind what could be a smart one. Jockey Mitch Aitken has drawn wide again today and can look to tuck in midfield with cover in the early parts.
Speed map is unclear in a field almost exclusively of first-starters. La Vie En led throughout to win a recent Terang jumpout, and from the inside alley we can only assume similar tactics will be used on debut. Sure to be right there in the closing stages of the race. Same can be said for Nuggies who showed good speed in her most recent hitout. She can sit out side the speed and ensure a genuine tempo. Each way chances to Colour Our World and Lady Sadler, while the race experience of Harpalee cannot be underestimated. Plenty to learn in an interesting event.
Over The Stars finished two lengths astern of Harpalee on debut and will be improved from that debut effort. She can land closer to the speed on a bigger track today, working into the race from the 400-metre mark and making her presence felt late. Each way claims in an open affair.
Currently, Over The Stars is a $16 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 7 – Wuddzz
Jockey – Ben Allen
2350m – Barrier 8
Six-year-old galloper gets out to his favourite trip this afternoon, presenting fitter for two runs this preparation. The gelded son of Complacent was given a (very) quiet trial at Bendigo to keep ticking over since his last run, and will look to keep his unbeaten record (2:2-0-0) at the distance in tact. Jockey Ben Allen leaves from barrier eight in a big field and can find cover midfield or worse heading into the first bend.
Enzed Magic and Vivideel will push forward from their respective middle gates and look to find the front passing the post for the first time, while Red Patrol and Zegalo won’t be far away on settling. Where to look? Pearl Bleue has been racing well of late and a drying surface by this stage of the day plays into her hands. Somewhat offsets a weight penalty with a claimer and draws for a soft trail from the inside. One of the main hopes. Vivideel can control proceedings from the front, beating all-bar Divus Romulus two starts back. A repeat effort has him right in the mix today. You can tie Marital Eagle in with the Divus Romulus form, finishing a length off that galloper when fourth behind Samuel Langhorne at Bendigo a fortnight ago. Closing in on 600 days since his last win, each way claims here. So too Jackand who is honest and rarely far away.
Wuddzz won this race last year and any juice left in the track is in his favour this afternoon. He should get a lovely run throughout and be able to work into the race from the 600-metre mark. Each way claims in a good race.
Currently, Wuddzz is a $9 chance in the market.