Midweek selections at Geelong and Hawkesbury from the PlayUp form analyst
Geelong R3 #1 Dun Warrior $1.80 at PlayUp – Was very impressed with the debut placing of this horse, who travelled well behind the leading division and looked as though it was going to win. Unfortunately, it was held up the entire straight with a lot to offer, and never got clear over the line. Second up here, gets another nice draw, and J Kah will be out to atone for that horror show on debut. He looks a talented horse, having won a Tatura trial convincingly back in October last year, before some very strong jump outs leading into this prep.
Geelong R5 #2 Hard Questions $7.00 at PlayUp – This horse has had three career starts to date, and all of them very promising including a win at Terang over 1400m. His debut performance first up last prep at Hamilton was very good, running the second fastest last 200m split of the entire meeting off a strong tempo. That shows me he can perform very well fresh, and he finds a winnable class one race here over the 1500m which looks a suitable distance for him. Well drawn, and stable rider J Fry is booked to steer.
Geelong R7 #8 Heroic Chief $8.50 at PlayUp – Can’t believe the big odds around for this galloper, who I thought was very good here at the track over 1100m first up. He ran third behind Naples at big odds, but was only beaten just over half a length and also ran home in the fastest last 400m and 200m sectionals of the entire day. He did all of this up the fence after being forced to go back in behind runners, which I doubt was even the best going as most winners came through the middle or out wider. Second up, fitter, holds weight and the wide draw here looks suitable for his racing pattern. Out to 1300m as well is a big positive.
Hawkesbury R2 #10 Shalailed $2.60 at PlayUp – Think there is a very generous price on offer for this O’Shea horse who simply should be too smart for the field. In two career runs so far, he has a third to California Deeply on debut, and then was only 3.5L off Russian Conquest at Randwick, and that horse almost beat one-time slipper favourite Coolangatta. Two trials leading into this new prep have been very good, including winning the latest over 1045m on heavy going at Randwick. He looked to get through it effortlessly, and the longer trial trip should have him fit and forward here.
Hawkesbury R3 #1 Norwegian Bliss $2.40 at PlayUp – A lot of time for this mare, who managed to win four from four last prep leaving her unbeaten through to November, and reaching BM78 class with a solid Newcastle win. She returns from a spell here, and trainer Nathan Doyle has an amazing first up record with his horses, so expect her to be ready to fire here. Two from two as well on soft going, so the slightly drying track should be to her advantage, and with her on-speed racing pattern, barrier four looks an ideal draw. Think she could be a group-class mare, so happy to back her in this midweek event.
