A great day of midweek racing here, none more important than the meeting at Wyong, which will go a long way to setting the scene for the Magic Millions series on the Gold Coast, coming up early next year. There is dual meetings in Victoria, with Bairnsdale and Caulfield hosting a rare Wednesday meeting. Eagle Farm, Strathalbyn and Launceston round out the other meetings. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has identified his five best of the day below.
Caulfield:
R3 #4 Use Your Voice $9.50 at PlayUp – Looks the forgotten horse in this field, and I think is worthy of a very good each way bet. He was a convincing debut winner in a Swan Hill maiden, pulling away very strongly on the line for a near 2L victory. He was then freshened and started a $4 favourite in a Pakenham class 1, but everything went wrong that day. After trying to buck jump at the start, he over-raced for the rest of the run, and was eased out with 100m to go. He has since jumped out at Flemington and performed very well, and only carrying 58kg after the claim here I think he can return to his best.
R5 #9 Kurabui $2.90 at PlayUp – The sister to Surprise Baby started her racing career in the best style possible, with a 2.5L domination job on debut at Pakenham last start over the 1400m. After sitting midfield with cover, she presented under a huge hold at the top of the straight. When rider M Dee pushed the button, she extended very sharply and was a comfortable winner on the line. Most impressive was her final 200m as she pulled away, and her sectional was the 4th fastest of the entire meeting. Mapping for a very similar run here today, and stepping out to the mile second up looks very suitable. I think she has a lot of talent and can be too good for this bunch again.
R8 #5 Quantum Mechanic $7.00 at PlayUp – Going to speck this Price/Kent Jnr horse here first up here in the last, coming off two strong jump out wins lately. She has been jumping out without the blinkers, and they have been removed for this first up run as well. Pushed out in both heats, she has extended solidly through the line, and it should ensure she is forward enough here to run well. There looks to be a good amount of speed on up front, with the likes of Witchfulthinking, Maggie Miss and Merited all pushing forward. From barrier one she can sit off the speed, and unleash strongly inside the final stages of this race. She proved herself as a great horse last prep with a number of placings in listed events, and looks the class horse of this field.
Wyong:
R3 #5 Barbaric $2.50 at PlayUp – Very keen to be with Barbaric here in the Magic Millions 3yo/4yo event, with a ticket to the Gold Coast in January up for grabs. Off the scene since March, he has been set for this race with only the single trial over 1040m at Randwick, which he won very impressively. Raced up on speed and beat the field by 3L under a hold, signifying that he has returned in very good shape. A likely wet track should be no issue, his two wins last prep including a G3 Black Opal in Canberra were both on rain affected ground. The 1200m trip is suitable, and from barrier three should enjoy a run in behind what looks to be a very solid tempo in front. As long as they are able to make up ground in the wet, he should be going very close here.
Bairnsdale:
R4 #12 Delusional Bet Now at PlayUp – Somewhat of a weak race here, with only three or so main chances to line up, and I think Delusional is one of them. Third up here, and two runs this prep have been sound enough and indicates she is working towards a win. When running 2nd at Wangaratta she probably stuck to the inferior going towards the inside of the track, while the winner came out wide and swooped through. From barrier five here, with a big jockey change, she should be able to stalk the speed again and present at the right time in the straight. 1200m looks suitable, and she also drops 0.5kg here in this race of equal grade.
