Stawell
Race 6 – Friday At Five
Jockey – Sarah Field
1607m – Barrier 4
Seven-year-old mare Friday At Five is second-up and fitter when she heads to Stawell this afternoon. The daughter of Zoustar tired from the front when resuming at Ararat three weeks ago, beaten almost nine lengths but better for that outing today. Apprentice hoop Sarah Field leaves from gate four today and can let her mare stride in the early parts, looking to land on or just behind the speed heading into the back straight.
Hydrogen Power, Vincentina and Mallee Gold will all likely roll forward from outside Friday At Five, while expect Imminent Storm to hold his position from the inside alley. Vincentina comes back a notch in grade having been sound at this track and trip twelve days ago. She gets in well after the apprentice claim and can give a sight from the front. One of the main chances. Hydrogen Power has been racing well without winning, going close at Swan Hill just five days ago. Each way claims. So too Mallee Gold, who sees the mile trip for the first time, and Artpark, who finished off well at Ararat last time.
Friday At Five draws for the right run today and strips fitter for her first-up run at Ararat. She can settle in the first few and will look to get rolling around the sweeping home bend. Expecting improvement.
Currently, Friday At Five is a $9 chance in the market.
Stawell
Race 7 – Miss Ellaneous
Jockey – Harry Coffey
1307m – Barrier 9
Last start maiden winner Miss Ellaneous is out slightly in trip when she heads to Stawell this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Brazen Beau was a solid run at Pakenham over 1000-metres when resuming, before pulling out enough late to break through at Ararat three weeks ago. Jockey Harry Coffey leaves from a sticky draw today and can look to be positive early, rolling across from the outset to sit outside or just behind the speed on settling.
Speed is okay early with Simply Sassy and Shooter Mcgavin to roll across with Miss Ellaneous from towards the outside, while expect Hasta La Chilly, Rampazetto and Noubentekh to drive through from nearer the rail. A few with claims. Hasta La Chilly was a Naracoorte winner three back before a pair of placings, beaten narrowly at Mount Gambier last time out. He draws for a lovely trail behind the speed and is sure to be thereabouts again. Whathappensinvegas has settled rearward at both career starts, finishing over the top to win on debut before saving ground and good late at Penola last time. He’ll go back again from the inside and look to cut the corner, could have the last crack. Shooter Mcgavin is back in grade and will look to lead throughout, while Rampazetto could go on with it after a solid first-up win.
Miss Ellaneous had to dig deep to get the prize last start, and the third-placed runner has since been unlucky not to win at Donald during the week. She needs to begin cleanly to offset the wide draw, but if she can get across early she’ll have something to offer in the home straight. Chance for the double.
Currently, Miss Ellaneous is a $3.90 chance in the market.