Seymour
Race 6 – Governor King
Jockey – Declan Bates
2046m – Barrier 7
Six-year-old galloper Governor King returns to Seymour this afternoon, looking to bounce back from a plain effort at Warrnambool last start. The gelded son of Fiorente has been mixing his form this preparation, winning at this track and trip three starts back but failing to make an impact at his past couple. Jockey Declan Bates leaves from towards the outside today and can let his galloper roll in the early parts, looking to land somewhere near the speed and turn for home ahead of some key rivals.
Calypso King steps up in trip and likely finds the lead from barrier three, while expect One Long Day, Ahab and Biratu to be thereabouts on settling. Even affair. Biratu is third-up and up in trip having run on well from the back at this track a fortnight ago. He can settle closer off a steadier tempo today and leave less to do at the back end. One of the main chances. Ahab and Jenny The Beaver boast wins at this track and trip from their respective last starts, coincidentally with the same runner-up. Both are racing in good fashion, each way claims the pair. So too Covert Thinking, who can improve from a plain effort last time out.
Governor King’s best efforts have him in the thick of things today, and perhaps back to a soft surface can spark some improvement from his previous two runs. He needs to begin cleanly to find his position into the back straight; with even luck he can figure in the finish.
Currently, Governor King is a $16 chance in the market.