Warrnambool
Race 1 – Rookery Nook
Jockey – Fred Larson
1400m – Barrier 8
Three-year-old galloper Rookery Nook is first-up since June when he heads to Warrnambool this afternoon. The gelded son of Bivouac was beaten a long margin on heavy ground on debut, quickly put away and returning with a pair of jumpouts this time in, finding the line when asked to improve at his latest. Jockey Fred Larson leaves from towards the outside today and will let his galloper find his feet early, looking to run on from the home bend.
Flying Done can use a low draw to punch forward and challenge for the lead early on, with Bellabama and Pitman likely to be thereabouts on settling, while no surprise to see Shades Of Stardom roll across from the extreme outside. Competitive event. Bellabama and Flying Done filled the placings at this track and trip last time out, finishing alongside each other on that occasion. Doubt there’s much between them again her, though leaning to Flying Done who gets blinkers on third-up. Both with winning claims. Brazen Warrior was the subject of market support on debut at Seymour, going down a neck when runner-up three weeks ago. Any improvement from that run surely sees him around the mark today. Each way claims to Fierce Fighter and Pitman.
Rookery Nook will improve on whatever he does today, better over more ground and with fitness under his belt. He’ll be given the opportunity to settle behind runners before finding room to lengthen in the home straight. Look for him to warm up late.
Currently, Rookery Nook is a $91 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 4 – Palace Green
Jockey – Fred Larson
2000m – Barrier 12
Improving galloper Palace Green is second-up and fitter when he stays at 2000-metres at Warrnambool this afternoon. The gelded son of Sea The Moon was solid when resuming at Bordertown last start, finding only one better in a positive beginning to his campaign. Soft ground is no spoil today – jockey Fred Larson forced back from a wide gate in the early parts, looking to work into the race approaching the home bend and hit the line late.
Speed looks genuine enough with Larsen Bay and Baby Rider to o fast from the inside, while expect Cousins Day, Digari and Early Warning to all be around the mark on settling. Oraqua wasn’t far away in stronger company at Flemington on Cup Day behind Party Crasher, looming as a chance in the home straight before just peaking on her run late. Suited back to this grade and only needs to run to her last start to prove hard to beat. Early Warning was solid when third in the Ararat Cup three weeks ago, a touch unlucky not to have finished closer when held up behind a tiring runner. Soft ground a positive an she’s fit for recent racing. Next best. Each way chances to Promised Land, who gets back to his right grade, and Larsen Bay, who should be given every chance from the front.
Palace Green has a bit working against him today, drawing wide and with the cut well and truly out of the ground. He’s working towards a race at Geelong in twelve days and will benefit from the outing this afternoon. Just a watch.
Currently, Palace Green is a $15 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 9 – Brung King
Jockey – Sarah Field
1400m – Barrier 8
Six-year-old galloper Brung King gets blinkers back on when he returns to Warrnambool this afternoon. The gelded son of Crackerjack King has been just okay at two runs since a promising return at Bendigo, and is likely to relish the soft going at a track he has won before. Apprentice hoop Sarah Field claims 3kg from barrier eight and can look to be positive early, ideally landing outside the leading on settling.
Dark Harmony will likely go fast from the outset and give Brung King a lovely cart across, while expect Mere Morsel, Nicajon and Loose On Gin to be thereabouts approaching the home bend. Darkbonee will be at the other end of the field, resuming today on the back of a pair of jumpout wins. She has form around some handy types in her debut preparation, never out of the placings in four goes, including a maiden win. She’ll be charging late, hardest to beat. Loose On Gin is another resuming today having jumped out soundly. He draws for a soft run and is a first-up winner previously. Each way claims. So too Ten Commandments, who comes into play if the track doesn’t improve throughout the day, and Cachink, who has jumped out well ahead of his resumption today.
Brung King can find a position outside the speed throughout before looking to pinch a break in the home straight. Blinkers back on is a positive move and he’s in well after the apprentice claim. No surprise to see him bounce back to form.
Currently, Brung King is an $8 chance in the market.