Wednesday metropolitan racing continues at Ladbrokes Park this week and we are set for an eight-race program.
With so many midweek cards taking place at the track recently, the rail will be set out seven metres around the entire course, while continued inclement weather has led to another heavy track.
Zesty Belle has stripped fitter for two starts this time and is ready to break her maiden.
The Denman filly finished sixth behind Mildred on debut at Flemington last spring and has filled the minors in each of her two starts back this time.
Fitter third-up and with an experience edge over her key rivals, she’ll take beating.
3 Units Zesty Belle
Toyetic has made just one appearance at the races so far, but looks a horse of ability and can break his maiden today.
The Anthony Freedman-trained gelding mustered a nice turn of foot to finish second on debut at Geelong and with natural improvement, he can go one better in this.
2 Units Toyetic
Bacchus clearly needed the run when he finished at the tail of the field here first-up, but he should enjoy good improvement for the hit-out and I am happy to give him another chance.
The Pierro gelding enjoy a nice preparation earlier this year and recorded consecutive wins here and at The Valley, most notably.
Craig Williams tends to go to another level at this point of the season and his booking to ride is positive.
1 Unit E/W Bacchus
Savvy Lad hasn’t been seen at the races since February, but this is a drop in class for him and he can make a winning return.
The Savabeel gelding has so-far recorded two wins and as many minors from only six career starts and ended a preparation in New Zealand with consecutive wins at Riccarton.
He didn’t quite measure up in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes on debut in Australia, but something of this quality looks well and truly within his abilities.
2 Units Savvy Lad
This is one of the more open races on Wednesday’s card at Ladbrokes Park and a horse like Patch Adams has live claims on winning, at a price ($14 at publish).
The veteran stayer has returned to the races in good form this time and finished second in the Casterton Cup two back before winning the Apsley Cup at the same course.
He was last seen finishing a few lengths away from Bartholomew Dias here at Ladbrokes Park and he is rock-hard fit for this contest.
1 Unit E/W Patch Adams
This shapes as the strongest race on the card, but I am happy to stick with the consistent Ruban Bleu.
Ruban Bleu finished a credible fourth at each of his first two appearances back from a spell this time, including a BM78 contest at Flemington, before winning at Caulfield.
He again filled the minors behind the in-form Alfa Oro at Caulfield last time in, and this is a drop in class from that race.
4 Units Ruban Bleu
Zoubo is another horse that will relish a drop in class at Ladbrokes Park on Wednesday and she might not be offered a better opportunity to win.
The Zoustar mare has been a model of consistency without winning this time and has found form around some good horses in Saturday races.
She was last seen finishing just over a length from the winner in a BM84 race at Caulfield and a repeat of that effort would find her hard to beat in this.
3 Units Zoubo
Captain Harry failed to fire at Bendigo last time out, but his form prior was good, and I am happy to have something small on each-way again on Wednesday.
The Commands gelding ran a place at each of his three starts prior to his recent flop and has tended to race well at this track and distance previously.
This is a wide-open race and he has live claims on winning.
1 Unit E/W Captain Harry