The blackbook was on fire with Steel Run, Justadeel and Berkshire Breeze all in our stable. Winter Finals Day is never easy to add to our team with most horses peaking, but I’ve found a small team we can stick with.
The track played outstanding for the middle of winter. We had winners up and in, and when the tempo allowed a horse like Cindy Falls was able to come widest on the home turn from last to run over the top of them late. No excuses for any runner unless they were looking for a wet track.
It was a bit of a rough day for punters, and it started early with odds-on favourites going down in two of the first three races. Quaddie players were thinking things were about to turn with Steel Run doing the right thing in the first leg, but it didn’t last long when It’sourtime ($20) torched most tickets in the second leg for a dividend of $1,263.00.
READ: Big bets review: $20k bet goes under in the last
BLACK BOOKERS
ROYAL HILL. He was sent around at big odds ($41) and was never a winning chance but I’m sure Trevor Andrews has his hands on a handy colt with this son of So You Think. He didn’t do much on debut in the Maribyrnong Trial in the spring but returning over the straight six on Saturday, he showed he’s going to take some beating as he gets out over longer trips. Not really enjoying racing tight between runners, he was held up and only got fully balanced up closer to the 100m where he hit the line as hard as anything, and if you watch the run on, he’d gone past everything 100m beyond the line. Out to 1400m and beyond, he’s a coming winner.
POLITELY DUN. While he might not live up to either of his Group 1 winning parents CV’s he does look to have enough ability to win his share of races as he gets out over longer trips. Only debuting three weeks earlier over the mile where he raced like a stayer, he made a huge jump to Listed level on Saturday and easily showed enough. Keen through the middle of the race to be back to last on the home turn, he couldn’t quicken with his more experienced rivals but did maintain a long run showing he’s going to love stepping out over longer as a three-year-old.
PRINZERRO. Talk about bursting to win a race and he might take a step getting back around a turn. All three runs this prep have been up the Flemington straight and he’s placed all three beaten around a length each time behind quality winners. He burst clear on Saturday and looked the winner before Right to Party found wings over the last 100m. Eligible for much easier races and a perfect race pattern, he should be able to find the right race to go close next start.
WINDSTORM. I still want to stick with this rising eight-year-old Gavin Bedggood trained gelding after Saturday’s run. Beau Mertons was giving him a dream run just beyond midfield when a steady at the 1200m had him back to third last on the home turn in a fast run race. He didn’t have a lot of room late, but I’m not convinced he runs a strong run mile, and this was a proper staying test at 13.44 lengths above benchmark. Good on any surface, if they can find the right race over 1400-1500m he’s cherry ripe to win.
IN HER STRIDE. This mare goes into the blackbook with a specific race in mind. She’s been in work a while now so doesn’t have any upside but she doesn’t need to improve having been super consistent all prep without striking her preferred wet tracks. Luckless on Saturday when held up on three separate occasions, she still closed hard to only be beaten a length, so if she can drop back a stack of grades and have some luck finding a wet track, she’ll be hard to beat at a bit of odds.
FORGIVE AND LUCKLESS RUNNERS
WHATELEY. I’ve got no doubt this colt has good ability, but the stable has just aimed too high too quickly. Hold onto him for next time in.
PRESS DOWN. This was just too bad to be true so I’m happy to put a line through his first go up the Flemington straight as I’m sure follow-up reports will find an excuse.
FEARLESS WRITER. Three deep exposed the entire trip and still found plenty to only be beaten just over a length. She was entitled to drop out.
PHARARI. I was surprised she was so short in the betting with the huge jump in grade along with striking a Good 4 surface. Having her first go up the daunting Flemington straight with no cover, she can bounce back hard.
RANTING. He’s not the easiest of horses to catch but he was luckless on Saturday when held up at the 450m and only balancing up closer to the 100m.
FORGET
POUNDING. He’s just not a betting proposition any more having now gone fifteen runs without a win. Getting 4kg off Munhamek and a dream run just off pace, he only ground away to be beaten over four lengths on his preferred dry surface. I’m not sure where he will be winning again.