Morphettville
Race 7 – Different Gravy
Jockey – Jacob Opperman
1800m – Barrier 3
Improving galloper Different Gravy crosses the border in search of Stakes glory at Morphettville this afternoon. The gelded son of Ghaiyyath was a strong Swan Hill winner when second-up last start, having finished four lengths behind the smart Regal Award at Sandown when resuming. Jockey Jacob Opperman leaves from an ideal draw and can be positive early, able to find a forward position on settling with a clean getaway.
Kalmana and Sassy Sophie look as likely as any to roll forward from their middle draws in the early parts, while expect Different Gravy and Safe Bet to boot through underneath them and hold their positions into the first bend. A host of the local runners finished within a length of each other last start, Golden Guru with a somewhat hard-luck story to tell after hitting the line strongly late. He’s probably the pick of that lot. Talent Scout was a comfortable Murtoa Maiden winner last time out after receiving all the favours in the run. That’s unlikely to be the case from a sticky draw today but does look to have some ability. One of the main chances. Each way claims to Gee Tee and Convaaya.
Different Gravy has improved since his last start win and getting out to this trip is ideal this afternoon. He should enjoy a lovely run somewhere near the speed and have something to offer late. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Different Gravy is an $8.50 chance in the market.
Avoca
Race 4 – Macocha
Jockey – Neil Farley
1300m – Barrier 3
Four-year-old mare Macocha is four weeks between runs when she heads to Avoca second-up today. The daughter of Street Boss was a touch plain when resuming at Ballarat, settling rearward before only holding her ground late over 1200-metres. Up in trip should suit; jockey Neil Farley able to land closer to the speed from a good draw and be one of the first turning into the short home straight.
Speed is drawn towards the outside with Miss Top Gun and Take The Prize likely to roll forward from the outset, while Macocha and Dreamwriter can find lovely trails just in behind. Miss Top Gun stuck to her task behind an all-the-way winner at Murtoa first-up and comes here fitter for that effort. There’s some handy form around that winner and any improvement from that effort sees her as the one to beat in this. The other main hope is last start Maiden winner Castlefield Flyer, who won with authority at Gunbower. Always hard to graduate from that grade and win again, but not without a chance. Dreamwriter next best.
Macocha draws ideally here and should receive the right run with a clean getaway. Her best efforts have her ahead of these, with even luck she can notch another win today.
Currently, Macocha is a $6.50 chance in the market.
Avoca
Race 6 – Friday At Five
Jockey – Neil Farley
1860m – Barrier 4
Zoustar mare Friday At Five has snuck into the field and gets a crack at the Avoca Cup this afternoon. The seven-year-old galloper was forced back from a wide gate at Geelong last start, unable to make an impression late on that occasion, but was close up the start prior at Warrnambool behind a subsequent winner. Jockey Neil Farley leaves from an ideal draw today and can be positive from the outset, looking to land on or just behind the speed on settling.
Sacred Eagle is likely to punch through from the inside and look to hold the top early, while no surprise to see Station One and Baby Rider roll across from out wider to challenge heading into the back straight. Kokonotsu sets up for the soft trail behind the speed, coming here off a solid effort in the Coleraine Cup. He’s fitter third-up and shapes as one of the main chances. Staunch was solid in town when resuming and quickly to this distance is a positive. If the leaders overdo things he’ll be the one charging late. Concede each way chances to Station One and Warparty in a very open Country Cup.
Friday At Five will get her chance to settle forward today and should be among the first turning for home. She gets in with a light weight and gets the services of one of the better country jockeys. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Friday At Five is a $14 chance in the market.