The Victorian Country Cups circuit takes us to Seymour on Sunday where nine races will be run and won including the Listed Seymour Cup.
It’s a momentous occasion for the Seymour Racing Club with their $200k feature returning to their track for the first time in four years.
The track is rated a Soft 5 at time of publish, but there is a chance of showers on Sunday so it will pay to monitor.
We’ve cast our eye over the program and provided our thoughts on each race below.
Soar Beyond (6) is on debut for the Danny O’Brien stable following two jump outs.
The son of Savabeel was strong through the line in his first jump out where he finished third to Reprisal who then won his maiden at The Valley.
In his most recent Flemington jump out, he picked up nicely under his own steam before the jockey switched him off after he hit the front to finish a close second.
While he has to handle his first race day experience, he looks to have been prepared well and presents as a good each way chance.
1 Unit Each Way – Soar Beyond (6)
Capre Omnia (2) was scratched from a winnable race on Friday at Moe in preference for this 1200m maiden.
The Mitchell Freedman-trained Headwater gelding found the line strongly to finish fourth by 2.4 lengths when resuming at Ballarat over 1100m.
Scully was third that day and has since won well at its next start to frank the form.
He’s only lightly raced and ran a great race second-up last preparation when finishing a close second over this course and distance.
1 Unit – Capre Omnia (2)
Steal The Sun (8) has improved in each of her three career starts and looks ready for a peak performance.
The daughter of Fighting Sun was held up entering the straight and didn’t get a lot of room thereafter at Benalla last start, but once clear she let down powerfully to go within a nose of winning.
She’ll enter this race rock hard fit fourth-up and ate up the mile last time out.
Jake Noonan has been in the saddle for her three starts and should be able to settle in a prominent position from barrier 5.
1 Unit – Steal The Sun (8)
Oubitsa (5) was scratched from a suitable race at Pakenham Friday night in preference of this race.
Last start at Mornington, the Michelle Payne-trained four-year-old was tasked with towing the field up to leader Rhinoceros so there was plenty of merit in the way he fought strongly to finish second.
His past two starts have been in BM70 company so he’ll appreciate the drop in class.
With Tom Prebble’s 2kg claim, he’ll carry just 1kg more than his past two starts in stronger races.
1 Unit – Oubitsa (5)
Chihuly (4) will appreciate the drop in class after a luckless run in a BM78 Handicap at Sandown last start.
The Greg Eurell-trained four-year-old gelding settled towards the back and looked to be full of running in the straight but was held up behind a wall of horses between the 500m and 250m.
Once clear he finished off nicely for a 2.4 length sixth to Foujita San.
He’ll strip fitter and will appreciate the rise to 2000m which is the distance his lone wine was over.
The outside gate in the small field should allow him the clear running he requires.
1 Unit – Chihuly (4)
Lascars (4) resumes here for new trainer Michael Jones after previously plying his trade with Godolphin’s James Cummings in Sydney.
This is a considerable drop in class to races he contested last preparation and Jones has made numerous gear changes to get this horse back to his best.
They appear to have worked given his trial and jump out form leading into this first-up assignment.
He pulled away late to easily win a trial before bolting in to win a jump out by four lengths where he did it so easily, the jockey was able to take a massive look of his shoulder.
The Sepoy gelding has a big impost to carry but gets 2kg off for Tom Prebble’s claim and maps to get a great run.
1 Unit – Lascars (4)
Sans Doute (7) was very good in her Australian debut at The Valley last start.
Wearing the Te Akau Racing colours for kiwi trainer Mark Walker, she chased strongly to just miss running down the undefeated Frilled over 1000m. There was a sizeable gap to third.
The Not A Singe Doubt mare will strip fitter second-up and did place at Group 3 level when having her second career start.
Blake Shinn takes the ride and should give her a beautiful steer from barrier 3.
1 Unit – Sans Doute (7)
Golden Path (8) is only lightly raced but has shown plenty of ability in his short five race career.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained four-year-old gelding went forward last start in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes but was no match for Antino late, finishing fourth by 2.95 lengths.
He’ll strip fitter third-up and did win the Silver Bowl Series Final by 3.25 lengths over this distance at Flemington when having his third run last preparation.
Craig Newitt is a good booking for this go forward horse.
1 Unit – Golden Path (8)
Star Buyer (11) put in a complete forget run last start when finishing seventh by 3.25 lengths to Shock ‘Em Ova in a stronger race at Caulfield last start.
Shock ‘Em Ova has since won again.
The Written Tycoon gelding started well but was shuffled back prior to the turn and then was held up for the length of the straight, going to the line untested with something to offer.
The start prior, he hit the line hard to finish a nose second in this grade at Wodonga over 1400m.
He drops in trip but has been freshened since last start.
1 Unit – Star Buyer (11)