Caulfield
Race 2 – Pittsburgh Pirate
Jockey – Jaylah Kennedy
1800m – Barrier 3
Country Cups collector Pittsburgh Pirate is second-up and fitter when he heads to Caulfield this afternoon. The gelded son of Pierro was sound first-up over a mile at Sandown, saving ground and finding the line nicely on soft ground three weeks ago. Jockey Jaylah Kennedy leaves from an inside draw and can drift back from the outset, looking for cover midfield of worse before running on in the home straight.
Speed is solid in the early stages with Makdane, Boga Legend and Fengarada to punch forward from ideal draws, which should ensure a solid tempo throughout. Federer gets blinkers on for the first time having placed his past two and drops in grade for this. Will need luck from the outside gate but must be considered one of the main hopes. Skippers Canyon was an impressive winner at 1400-metres last start and quickly gets to this trip second-up. Won at 2100-metres in New Zealand and any rain will help his cause. Strong claims. Each way chances to Farnborough, who draws wide but looked unlucky not to finish closer last start, and Makdane, who is racing in terrific fashion this preparation.
Pittsburgh Pirate will improve again on whatever he does today, better over more ground and with further fitness on his side. He’ll be hoping the rain stays away – if it does he can take some lengths off the leaders late.
Currently, Pittsburgh Pirate is a $67 chance in the market.
Morphettville Parks
Race 4 – Paradise Storm
Jockey – Todd Pannell
2250m – Barrier 7
Five-year-old galloper Paradise Storm comes back a notch in grade when he heads to Adelaide this afternoon. The gelded son of Masked Marvel has been sound in three runs at 2000-metres this campaign, ready for the rise in distance as he presents fitter again today. Jockey Todd Pannell leaves from a middle gate and can find cover midfield or worse before working into the race approaching the home bend.
Speed is drawn to the outside with Goliotus and Dixie Whistler to roll forward from the outset, likely dragging Lavish Thinker and Burning Bright across with them, while High Society Girl can find a trail from the inside alley on settling. Open affair. Chance Taken is mixing his form a bit but does set up for the run of the race from a soft draw here. Gets in very light and must be considered on best efforts. Dixie Whistler, High Society Girl and Smiling Assassin finished within a length of each other at this track/trip in July, in that order. All three have run since without distinction. Each way claims the lot. Goliotus comes into play if the rain comes.
Paradise Storm comes here fitter for recent racing, giving every indication he’s looking for this trip fourth-up. He should receive the right run throughout and have plenty to offer in the bck end of the race. Strong each way claims.
Currently Paradise Storm is a $6 chance in the market.
Warracknabeal
Race 2 – Invinciboo
Jockey – Jack Hill
1200m – Barrier 11
Four-year-old galloper Invinciboo is third-up and fitter when he heads to Warracknabeal this afternoon. The gelded son of Sooboog was sound first-up at Ballarat Synthetic before a plain effort at the same track, and will relish a return to grass this afternoon. Jockey Jack Hill leaves from an outside gate and will be forced back in the early parts, looking to plot a path through the field and run on in the short home straight.
Speed comes from Think Baby and Two Cubed, while expect Derailed and Manapouri to push forward and find soft trails from the outset. Manapouri was a solid runner-up on debut and only needs natural improvement to prove very hard to beat here. Draws for every chance and should get the last crack at them. Derailed will likely be beside Manapouri in the run, resuming from a five month break. Lightly-raced and sure to be forward enough to be competitive here. Each way chances to Think Baby and Two Cubed.
Invinciboo will need his share of luck to find a suitable position in the run, though will likely be back with plenty to do approaching the home bend. Keen to see how he settles and runs on, top four hope if he does things right.
Currently, Invinciboo is a $26 chance in the market.
Warracknabeal
Race 5 – Off The Deep End
Jockey – Eoin Walsh
1600m – Barrier 1
Lightly-race six-year-old Off The Deep End is third-up and fitter when she heads to Warracknabeal this afternoon. The daughter of Deep Field has been well held at both runs this preparation, but will appreciate the drop in grade and is ready to improve today. Jockey Eoin Walsh leaves from the inside alley and can be positive from the outset, looking to hold a forward position heading into the back section of the track.
Speed comes from the outside with Vegas On Fire the likely leader, while expect Foggy Bottom and Lichester to be around the mark on settling. Vegas On Fire is the one to beat here, coming back in grade from a solid runner-up effort at Cranbourne a fortnight ago. Rises in weight and the wide gate is against her, but she can be in this for a long time. The race opens up from here, with each way chances to Jaz Tycoon and Golden Mikki, while Treasury Place has claims from an awkward draw. A long tail to this one.
Off The Deep End comes here fitter for recent racing and draws ideally to roll forward. If she can share the lead or find the leader’s back, she can keep kicking in the straight and prove hard to catch. Stron each way claims.
Currently, Off The Deep End is a $9.50 chance in the market.