Kyneton
Race 3 – Black Cherry
Jockey – Yoshi Kamomiya
1203m – Barrier 7
Brazen Beau filly Black Cherry is second-up today, a month after a sound effort when fresh at Warrnambool over 1000-metres. The three-year-old galloper found herself a long way from the leaders turning for home, making some late ground in the home straight, with only the winner recording a faster last 200-metres. Jockey Yoshi Kamomiya leaves from gate seven today and can let his filly find her feet early, looking to settle one or two pairs back with cover from the outset.
Queen Katrina jumps from the centre and will look to find the top early, while expect Ryanman to boot through from nearer the rail and hold his position in the early parts, and no surprise to see Addictive Street and Ginger Puff thereabouts approaching the bend. Queen Katrina was runner-up at Ballarat on debut five weeks ago behind Altermatum; that runner has twice placed in 64-grade since. The third-placed runner won at Sale next time out. This simply looks the best form coming into today’s race and she shapes as hardest to beat. Swift Power was good first-up at Seymour before bucking and taking no part at Bendigo second-up. Sound again at Ballarat last time out and out to this trip will suit. Each way claims. So too Ryanman, who looks to have returned well following a recent Flemington jumpout.
Black Cherry will appreciate the steadier tempo at 1200-metres today, able to be closer to the leaders turning for home. She’ll be better for the run but look for her to be running on late. Top four hopes.
Currently, Black Cherry is a $26 chance in the market.
Kyneton
Race 7 – Flying Celica
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1856m – Barrier 7
Consistent mare Flying Celica returns to Kyneton today, following a pair of runner-up efforts at Warrnambool in the past month. The daughter of Toronado is due a change of luck; she missed the start and thundered home two back, before being held up for clear running at a crucial stage last start. She was good at this track and trip in February, and jockey Mitch Aitken can look to settle on the leader’s back from the outset today before peeling out and making her run in the home straight.
Speed looks genuine enough in the early parts, with Wambeen and Undaunting likely to roll across from out wide in the early parts, while expect Kauai and Retourne to punch through from nearer the rail. Even contest. Inez has been thereabouts in stronger company since winning her Maiden at 1100-metres, and gets her first go beyond a mile today. Drawn awkwardly but has each way claims. Galpin won her Maiiden here two starts back before a sound effort in Saturday grade at Morphettville Parks four weeks ago. Will be one of the late closers. Concede each way claims to Carisbrook and Engeline in a tricky race.
Flying Celica is racing in terrific heart and a third career win is just around the corner. If she can find a spot in the top four early on, she’ll take holding out late. Strong claims.
Currently, Flying Celica is a $7.50 chance in the market.