Warrnambool
Race 2 – Silent Devotion
Jockey – Declan Bates
1200m – Barrier 1
Three-year-old filly Silent Devotion is second-up and fitter when she rises to 1200-metres at Warrnambool this afternoon. The daughter of Pinatubo sat wide on heavy ground at Bendigo first-up, finding the winner too sharp over 1000-metres but finishing well to hold third, suited up in trip today. Jockey Declan Bates leaves from the inside alley and can land on or just behind the speed heading into the home straight, race fitness to take her a long way in the latter stages of the race.
Small field but the speed looks okay in the early parts, expecting Persian Cat and Alchemistic to drive forward from inside draws, while Admiral’s Point won’t be far away from his middle gate. Grifter drifted back at Pakenham on debut in May before finishing well behind Obambulate, who came out and won again in town next start. He’ll likely settle towards the rear again before winding up late. Hardest to beat. Debutants Admiral’s Point and Persian Cat have shown enough at the jumpouts to suggest they can be around the mark, while Alchemistic may be better suited allowed to bowl along in front. All with each way claims.
Silent Devotion will appreciate the extra furlong on offer today and has the benefit of race fitness on a couple of main rivals. She should be given every chance in the run, no surprise to see her in the thick of thigs late. Strong claims.
Currently, Silent Devotion is a $4.20 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 4 – Belle Flamme
Jockey – John Allen
1400m – Barrier 3
Four-year-old galloper Belle Flamme is first-up since April and straight to 1400-metres when she heads to Warrnambool this afternoon. The daughter of Rubick was solid on debut over 1200-metres last preparation, racing consistently thereafter and returning with a pair of jumpouts in preparation for today. Jockey John Allen leaves from an inside draw and can let his mare land where comfortable, likely in the second half of the field before running on in the home straight.
Speed comes from the inside with Pappa Ritch to drive through and likely hold the lead, while expect Just My Lot and Compassion to roll across from further out and find forward positions on settling. Captain Redbeard was good from the back at Seymour four weeks ago and comes here second-up and fitter for that effort at 1200-metres. Out in trip looks to suit and expect him to settle closer off a steadier tempo. Shapes as the one to beat. Just My Lot was beaten half-a-length at this track and trip last start and only needs to hold her form to e competitive here. Next best. Each way chances to Pappa Ritch and Compassion, who should get their chance from near the speed.
Belle Flamme will improve on whatever she does today, better for race fitness and over slightly further next time out. Any track upgrade will be in her favour; look for her to be making ground late.
Currently, Belle Flamme is a $5.50 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 7 – Three Reel Roses
Jockey – Damien Thornton
2350m – Barrier 9
Staying mare Three Reel Roses steps back out in trip when she heads to Warrnambool this afternoon. The five-year-old daughter of Highland Reel was a deserved winner at Moe two starts back before unsuited by a meeting transfer to Murtoa last time out, dropping back to 2050-metres and strong through the line on that occasion. Jockey Damien Thornton leaves from towards the outside and can drift back in the early parts, finding cover in the second half of the field before looking to run on late in the piece.
Not a great deal of speed in this, with Semper Fortis and Pianta likely to roll across from the outside and join Tupac in the early speed battle, while Initial Moment can box-seat heading into the back straight. A few with claims. Trump Card is an interesting runner on debut for a new stable, whose Queensland form looks good enough to be competitive in this. He can receive a soft run somewhere midfield before running on in the home straight. One of the main chances. Tupac pulled up with excuses at Geelong last time out but had been solid in stronger grade at Mildura the start prior. Anything close to that effort sees him go close here. Pianta won well at Mount Gambier last start, where the runner-up has since bolted in at Murtoa. He’ll get his chance from near the speed, each way claims. So too Semper Fortis and Bismarck.
Three Reel Roses will appreciate the rise in trip today as she works towards 3000-metres and beyond in the coming weeks. She’ll be allowed to settle of the speed before asked to find the line late. Each way claims.
Currently, Three Reel Roses is a $9.50 chance in the market.
Warrnambool
Race 7 – Tupac
Jockey – John Allen
2350m – Barrier 6
Five-year-old galloper Tupac looks to bounce back at Warrnambool today, following a forgetful day at Geelong three weeks ago. The gelded son of Shamus Award returned with excuses on that occasion, but his run the start prior on top of the ground at Mildura was better and a similar effort has him in the mix today. Jockey John Allen leaves from a middle draw and can let his galloper stride in the early parts, able to land in the first few on settling before looking to finish of strongly in the home straight.
Not a great deal of speed in this, with Semper Fortis and Pianta likely to roll across from the outside and join Tupac in the early speed battle, while Initial Moment can box-seat heading into the back straight. A few with claims. Trump Card is an interesting runner on debut for a new stable, whose Queensland form looks good enough to be competitive in this. He can receive a soft run somewhere midfield before running on in the home straight. One of the main chances. Pianta won well at Mount Gambier last start, where the runner-up has since bolted in at Murtoa. He’ll get his chance from near the speed, each way claims. So too Semper Fortis and Bismarck, while Three Reel Roses is suited back out in trip here.
Tupac will benefit from a positive ride today and any improvement in conditions will be in his favour. A few of these are looking for further, while he’s suited at this trip now. Each way claims.
Currently, Tupac is a $6.50 chance in the market.