Swan Hill
Race 5 – Off The Deep End
Jockey – Val le Boeuf
1600m – Barrier 6
Five-year-old mare Off The Deep End heads to Swan Hill second-up today, a fortnight after a sound effort on the Synthetic at Ballarat. The daughter of Deep Field settled rearward and worked home fairly behind an in-form galloper over 1500-metres and the extra distance is in her favour today. Jockey Valentin le Boeuf leaves from gate six and will drift back in the early parts, looking to run on in the long Swan Hill home straight.
Speed is drawn outside with Dashing Rebel and Teddy Boy to roll across in the early stages, while expect Fil to punch through from underneath that pair and contest the lead heading into the back. Many with a hope here. Teddy Boy was a good first-up winner before a solid runner-up finish next time, both starts at a mile. He dropped back in distance last time and was less effective but expecting him to bounce back today. One of the main chances. Shal Exceed has strung two wins together, one at this track and trip, and comes here after a freshen-up. Drawn for every chance in barrier four, no surprise to see him go close. Each way chances to Tarshin and Lika Swift, and others not hopeless.
Off The Deep End will improve again following today’s run, where she should be given every chance to settle with cover before presenting to chase in the run home. Heavy track a query but no surprise to see her pass a few late. Top four claims.
Currently, Off The Deep End is an $8.50 chance in the market.
Swan Hill
Race 7 – Over The Stars
Jockey – Will Gordon
975m – Barrier 12
Three-year-old filly Over The Stars comes back in grade when she takes on the 975-metre dash at Swan Hill this afternoon. The daughter of Overshare set a solid tempo outside the leader at Bendigo last start, game when hanging on to finish fourth while her co-leader dropped out to be beaten over twenty lengths. Jockey Will Gordon leaves from an outside gate and can let his filly roll in the early parts, able to sit outside or just behind the speed heading into the bend.
They’ll go quickly from the outset in this, with all of Tori’s Dee, The Wayfarer, Shadow Black and Reward The Sherriff to roll forward, while Struggle Street can receive a soft trail in behind them from an ideal draw. This galloper won easily at Warracknabeal first-up on the back of impressive jumpout form. Rises in grade but does look hardest to beat. Mistavain is another who should little work in the run and have plenty left to chase in the latter stages of the race. Has been racing well in stronger company, but back to 975-metres? Next best. Each way chances to The Wayfarer and Reward The Sherriff.
Over the Stars gets conditions to suit today, back a notch in grade and with plenty of give in the surface. She’ll find herself up near the speed somewhere and only needs to hold her form to be going very close in this. Strong claims.
Currently, Over The Stars is a $3 chance in the market.