Bordertown
Race 1 – Farm Horse
Jockey – Fred Larson
1300m – Barrier 3
Improving galloper Farm Horse is second-up and fitter when he crosses to Bordertown this afternoon. The gelded son of Strasbourg was sound on debut at Ballarat three weeks ago, bumping into a smart one when slowly away and finding the 1000-metre trip too sharp. Out to 1300-metres looks to suit, jockey Fred Larson will look to begin cleanly today and find a position midfield with cover before improving into the race approaching the home turn.
There’s little speed on paper in this, expecting French Love to find the front without too much exertion, while Vivid Reasoning and Man Hands may elect to roll across from the outside to find forward positions on settling. French Love was beaten narrow margins at Naracoorte and Donald before holding on for third at Penshurst last time out. She’s placed four of her past five and should be able to control the race from the outset. If she’s left alone in front she’ll take catching. Hardest to beat. Jewels Captain and French Reign both made solid ground from the back in their respective first-up runs. They’ll need something better than a muddling tempo, each way claims the pair. So too Tagyourit, who may be ridden closer to the speed with a conspicuous jockey change.
Farm Horse has come through his debut run in excellent order and will appreciate a steadier tempo up in trip today. He draws for the right run tucked in behind the speed, how he begins will be key to his chances. Each way claims.
Currently, Farm Horse is an $11 chance in the market.
Bordertown
Race 1 – Spirit Of Steven
Jockey – Jacob Opperman
1300m – Barrier 6
Four-year-old galloper Spirit Of Steven makes his racetrack debut across at Bordertown this afternoon. The gelded son of Boom Time has had plenty of jumpout experience, sitting wide and asked for an effort in his latest hitout at Ararat a fortnight ago when finishing just off them. Jockey Jacob Opperman leaves from the middle of the line and can be positive early, looking to land in the first half of the field before finding a kick late.
There’s little speed on paper in this, expecting French Love to find the front without too much exertion, while Vivid Reasoning and Man Hands may elect to roll across from the outside to find forward positions on settling. French Love was beaten narrow margins at Naracoorte and Donald before holding on for third at Penshurst last time out. She’s placed four of her past five and should be able to control the race from the outset. If she’s left alone in front she’ll take catching. Hardest to beat. Jewels Captain and French Reign both made solid ground from the back in their respective first-up runs. They’ll need something better than a muddling tempo, each way claims the pair. So too Tagyourit, who may be ridden closer to the speed with a conspicuous jockey change. Farm Horse the other chance in the race, coming here fitter for a sound debut effort at Ballarat.
Spirit Of Steven will appreciate this distance first-up and has shown enough gate speed to suggest he can land somewhere near the front today. He’ll improve on whatever he does here, minor claims.
Currently, Spirit Of Steven is a $16 chance in the market.