Seymour
Race 3 – Baltic Blizzard
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1422m – Barrier 10
Three-year-old filly Baltic Blizzard is second-up and fitter when she heads to Seymour this afternoon. The daughter of Hanseatic was solid on debut when runner-up to a long odds-on favourite at Donald, turning widest and chasing gamely in a positive start to her career. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from gate ten today and can let his filly stride in the early parts, looking to land in the front half of the field with cover assuming a clean getaway.
Boomeroo and Beau Strada look to have the battle for the front between them, while Dihheri can use the inside alley to hold her position in the run. This galloper hit the line strongly on debut at Geelong over 1100-metres and straight to this trip looks to be in her favour. She can settle closer off a steadier tempo and have something to give in the home straight. Looks the one to beat. Earthstone has started a big price at both career runs but wasn’t far away on either occasion. Draws for every possible in gate two, each way claims. So too Beau Strada who will try to control the race from the front. Rose Of Churchill has jumped out nicely and looks the pick of the first-starters.
Baltic Blizzard comes here better for her debut run, where she had claims to finish closer to a winner that had all the favours. She’ll need to begin cleanly to find a forward position from an awkward draw, but with even luck must be considered a winning chance.
Currently, Baltic Blizzard is a $6.50 chance in the market.
Seymour
Race 8 – Macocha
Jockey – Neil Farley
1200m – Barrier 1
Four-year-old mare Macocha returns to the races today, just over a month since a sound effort here behind Gellhorn. The daughter of Street Boss was a strong winner the start prior at Avoca, and the form from last start has been franked with the winner saluting again at Cranbourne in stronger grade. Jockey Neil Farley draws the inside and can look to punch forward from the outset, ideally holding the lead heading into the home bend.
Speed is good with all of Mr Assertive, Warrior Smile, Frosted In Time and Youwroteuponit to challenge Macocha early, while Jaskier likely gets the soft trail just behind. Warrior Smile went terribly first-up on a heavy deck when right in the market, but his two-year-old form from earlier this year reads very well for this. He’ll improve back on top of the ground, one of the main chances here. Youwroteuponit was a debut winner in April before finding the paddock and resumed with a sound effort at Geelong three weeks ago. Fitter here, must be considered. Each way chances to Frosted In Time, who backed up his huge maiden win with a solid runner-up performance last start, and Jaskier, who has won four of his past six in weaker grade.
Macocha draws for the right run in gate one, needing to begin cleanly to hold the front or thereabouts. She’s been good at her past couple, each way claims.
Currently, Macocha is a $17 chance in the market.