Midweek racing from all over this Wednesday for the last time in July, and it also concludes the metro racing season for this year. Although the new season doesn’t officially start until Saturday, this is the last time for most states that metropolitan races will take place. It has been a crazy ride for everyone throughout this 2019/20 season, so let’s bow out with some winners. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has embraced the spirit of the final day of metro racing, and has found us five winners from all around the country. Check them out below.
Bendigo R4 #2 Lady Of Flanders $5.00 at PlayUp – Fourth up, coming off a really nice effort in much harder grade at Flemington last time out. Over 1400m in the BM90 event, she settled handy to the speed in behind the leader, and was forced to make a run up the inside rail in the straight. She tired badly the last 100m, but was not far off the main group of horses above her. Back to 1300m will definitely suit, and she gets a huge drop in grade back to BM70 midweek level. Also, returning to a dry track will be a huge help, her record on good going is a strong 9:3-1-1, and is 3:1-0-1 at the distance too. Peak fit, drawn perfectly in barrier one, and can prove too good. Selections: 2-7-8-9
Doomben R1 #8 Crayon $5.50 at PlayUp – 1200m race to kick off the program here on what is likely to be a heavy track, and for that reason i’ve gone with Crayon on top here. Narrowly defeated on debut at Toowoomba as favourite on similar heavy going, at least proved his ability to handle these seriously wet tracks. Better now second up, and coming out to 1200m should really suit. Drops 2kg off the last start debut, and arguably doesn’t strike a much harder race, even though he steps out into the metro level. Can handle this going and be competitive. Selections: 8-7-4-9
Belmont R2 #2 Empire Reign $2.45 at PlayUp – Comes here second up here at Belmont, off what was a promising debut over the 1200m last time out. He found a great position in running handy to the speed, but was unable to run down the leader/winner who got away with a soft lead in front. Second up fitter and better for the race experience, and out in distance to 1300m should really suit. His closing last 400/200m sectional times on debut rated well for the meeting (top 7), and his overall run rated highly by my figures. He should roll forward and could even lead in a race with limited tempo, and prove hard to get past with the rail out +14m today. Selections: 2-8-1-6
Belmont R6 #12 Pletto $2.15 at PlayUp – A very talented mare who is yet to miss a top three finish from six career starts, indicating to me she just doesn’t know how to run a bad race. Last start when racing fresh at the same track and distance, she was caught 3-4 wide without cover up on speed for the entirety, fought on very gamely and even loomed as a winner late, but condition gave out. Second up now, fitter and sticking to the Belmont 1200m, she maps to push forward from barrier 9, and with even luck this time can be slotting in on speed with cover. The booking of W Pike is another huge bonus, and I can see her re-entering the winner’s stall today. Selections: 12-7-1-3
