Cranbourne is the focus in Victoria on Wednesday with another bumper eight-race card set.
The track is drying and currently rated a Soft 6 at time of writing, although punters should note the rail is out eight metres.
It’s an open day of racing with a case to be made for a few in every contest, but to help you narrow it down, we’ve run the rule over the entire program.
LA REINA VEGA (8) is the obvious on-top selection to begin the day.
Graheme Begg’s filly ran on solidly to finish second on debut at Seymour last month where she was three-wide without cover on a bottomless heavy track.
She’s drawn to receive every chance this time in barrier 3 and with natural improvement to come, plus a decent turn of foot, she’ll take the power of beating.
| 8. La Reina Vega (2) J: Jordan Childs 56kg 2T: Grahame Begg | |||
| Was well-supported at debut, made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 7 at Seymour 2yo Mdn-Sw on July 19 over 1200m, on rain affected going; long-neck behind Dustee carrying 56kg at $2.20. Should improve and take beating. | |||
IN’KANTOSSTAR (3) is easy to have based on his sensational debut effort for second at Moe last year.
The son to Per Incanto has drawn a horrible game for this return assignment, but there was a lot to like about the way he hit the line, getting up along the rail once a gap opened up to finish second.
The form from that race has stood up nicely over the last six months and if he finds some early cover, he’ll be hard to hold out.
| 3. In’Kantosstar (16) J: Ethan Brown 59.5kg 2xT: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Resumes racing after a long spell. Only one run when 2nd of 12 at Moe 3yo Mdn-Sw on December 14 over 1100m, 0.8 len behind Firerated carrying 58kg at $13. Should take beating this time around. | |||
DUKE OF OMAN (5) has drawn a nice soft gate for this sharp rise to 1500m.
This lightly-raced five-year-old rana smart race last time out at Moe in much wetter conditions, overracing at a key stage but really knuckling down late to grab second after laying in down the straight.
He’s had two runs over 1200m leading into this third-up assignment and maps to land midfield early in the hopes of saving something for the finish again.
| 5. Duke Of Oman (2) J: Logan Bates 59.5kg 5×72T: Lyn Tolson & Leonie Proctor | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming eased back early on 7th of 10 at Sandown-Lakeside 2yo+ Mdn-Sw on July 8 over 1200m, on a wet track; 8 len behind Here’s Matilda carrying 59.5kg at $19. Last start held ground to the line 2nd of 9 at Moe Mdn-Sw on July 21 over 1217m, on heavy track; 2.25 len behind Heavy Haulage with 59.5kg at $3.50. Looks ready to win. | |||
OMAMORI (1) is probably the straight bat play in a tricky race between the stayers.
He’s been charged with top weight after spending time racing at Saturday grade over his last two starts, holding his own on both occasions at Sandown to mis out on the placings only narrowly.
The low gate works in his favour deep into his prep, while he’s a noted wet tracker with good recent form leading in.
| 1. Omamori (3) J: Stephanie Hateley 61.5kg 32344T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run 4th of 10 at Sandown-Hillside 0 – 66 on July 22 over 2400m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Shultzy carrying 57.5kg at $3.80. Before that 4th of 11 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm74 on July 1 over 2400m, on a wet track; 3 len behind Nearco Frod carrying 55.5kg at $10. Terrific chance to break through. | |||
FOXENBERG (2) is first-up for Clayton Douglas with the blinkers on for the first time.
The son to Foxwedge is unbeaten at this stage of his prep, adding to his record at Pakenham last time in work, before going on to tackle much tougher races in town where he was far from disgraced.
He hasn’t been asked to do much in a pair of trials leading in, and providing he spends little petrol getting across early and landing close to the speed, he should be one of the hardest to beat.
| 2. Foxenberg (10) J: Jackson Radley 62kg 5250xT: Clayton Douglas | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign tenth of 12 at Morphettville Bm70 April 11 over 1100m, soft track; 9 len behind Swiftie Harriet carrying 59kg at $3.90. Previous preparation first-up favourite; won by 0.5 len Pakenham Bm66 January 23 over 1000m defeating Pick ‘N’ Mix with 58.5kg at $3.30. Wary, can go well fresh. | |||
Happy to stick with ALIEN ANGEL (3), who was a handy winner of her maiden on debut here over 100m shorter a few weeks ago.
This is an obvious step up in class with a tricky gate adding to the challenge, but there was a lot to like about the way she won fresh, especially after being held up for a run around teh 400m mark.
The Hayes-trained mare looks a progressive type and based on what we’ve seen so far, she looks capable of taking the next step.
| 3. Alien Angel (11) J: Jackson Radley 60kg 3×1T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Third race start. Promising on debut raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 10 at Sale Mdn-Sw on February 1 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Loveyamore carrying 57kg at $2.10. Went for a break before returning favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 1.75 len at this track Mdn-Sw July 16 over 1300m on a heavy track defeating Marine Grade with 57.5kg at $2.80. Progressive and can go on with the job now. | |||
RUSSIAN DUCHESS (9) is a definite chance with a couple of runs under her belt now.
Ciaron Maher’s four-year-old was always looking for longer when she finished down the order at Ballarat fresh from a spell, before showing big improvement here over 1400m second-up, where she led for the majority until her condition gave way.
She’s much fitter now third-up and it’s worth noting she won by 1.5 lengths at this stage of her prep earlier in the year. The 1.5kg claim also helps.
| 9. Russian Duchess (3) J: Jabez Johnstone 58kg 26×53T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up ran second last in a small field at Ballarat Synthetic 3yo Bm64 on June 24 over 1200m, 5 len behind Audio Pop Cam carrying 57kg at $6. Second run from a spell 3rd of 13 at this track Bm62 on July 16 over 1400m, on heavy track; 3.5 len behind Touxlove carrying 58kg at $12. Fitter now and making headway. Takes catching. | |||
FLY BY LIGHT (3) is a talented gelding returning off a six-week let-up for Clinton McDonald.
The son to Flying Artie won three back over the same track/trip by a decent margin, then heading to Caulfield a couple of runs later where he was clearly out of his depth.
Like the fact he’s been given a tickover trial between runs to keep him sharp with Mark Zahra getting a crack in the saddle for the first time. With luck from the wide gate, he should appreciate the step back to midweek level.
| 3. Fly By Light (12) J: Mark Zahra 60.5kg 16×0T: Clinton McDonald | |||
| Second run back. Comes off a 39-day let-up. First-up after four months 11th of 14 at Caulfield 3yo Hcp on June 27 over 1000m, slow going 9 len behind I’m Foxing with 52kg at $11. Previously second-up ran second last of 7 at this track 3yo Bm64 on February 27 over 1200m, 4.5 len behind Arlington Row with 60kg at $2.50. Can do much better. | |||