Bordertown
Race 1 – Turfaction
Jockey – Justin Potter
1200m – Barrier 2
Four-year-old galloper Turfaction is second-up and fitter when he heads across to Bordertown this afternoon. The gelded son of Turffontein was just okay when resuming at Geelong three weeks ago, failing to beat a runner home in what looked a much stronger Maiden. Jockey Justin Potter leaves from an inside draw today and can look to find the front or leader’s back in the early parts, turning for home right in the thick of the action.
Hebrings Cash from barrier three looks the most likely to challenge for the early lead, while expect Miss Pantherlot and Mofferno to land somewhere near the top on settling. Miss Pantherlot went close to breaking through last start, having been around the mark in her three previous starts. Back up to 1200-metres look to suit, shapes as the one to beat. Mofferno resumes here on the back of a sound Balaklava trial, and did run well on debut in October. Quickly sent to the paddock following a poor effort next start but looks to have come back in good order. Each way claims. So too Dolce D’amour, who comes here third-up and fitter. The race drops away from here.
Turfaction comes here better for his first-up run and will find this company weaker than last start. He draws for a favourable run and should be right there turning for home, a good place to be at Bordertown. Strong claims.
Currently, Turfaction is a $5 chance in the market.
Bordertown
Race 3 – Call Up King
Jockey – Jacob Opperman
1550m – Barrier 11
Toronado gelding Call Up King resumes at Bordertown this afternoon, first-up since a pair of plain efforts in December last year. The three-year-old galloper has one jumpouts under his belt this time in, a good effort on the Synthetic at Ballarat in March and a more forward showing is expected today. Jockey Jacob Opperman leaves from a wide gate and will roll forward in the early parts, looking to land on or outside the speed on settling.
Speed is drawn just inside Call Up King, with Saint Boom and Mimetic Desire likely to be ridden positively from the outset, while expect Hot Strut to punch forward and enjoy a soft trail just behind the speed. Saint Boom is third-up following a pair of sound efforts at Balaklava to begin her preparation, up in trip suitable today. She’ll need her share of luck to find a position from an awkward draw but does look the one to beat. Hot Strut has been a shade disappointing since going very close at Swan Hill three starts back when edged out in a photo by Watersports, who has performed well at Pakenham and Flemington since. That’s good form for this, clearly next best. The race drops away significantly from here. Perhaps minor claims to Zouhoff and The Last Flash, but there’s a long tail to this.
Call Up King will benefit from going forward today, albeit he may need to work a little to get across to find his position. He finds a moderate affair to kick-off his preparation, no surprise to see him much closer today. Each way claims.
Currently, Call Up King is an $18 chance in the market.