OnSong wrote:Balaklava Wednesday - Good 4
R1) 2200m BM64 - Small field, so I'll comment on all runners.
3) Aali Mia - Made up excellent ground late when second up from a spell over the 2100m last week. A repeat performance in a smaller field will go close. 1st
2) Connemara Rose - Going back previous preps, seems to put in a beauty 4th up, which it is here, so think it will reverse the recent form. 2nd
1) Barshonti - Can see it pressing forward and should run top 3 in this field. Scr
4) Conquer The Moment - Think it has probably peaked looking at the way it faded last run after getting a box seat run. 4th
5) Casiraghi - Harking back to April, it ran a close up 0.4L 3rd behind Connemara Rose over this track and trip. Has not looked like winning since and back in the Grant Young stable in recent weeks. Would be a huge turnaround to run top 3. 3rd
R2) 1000m Maiden - Another small field
4) Factual - First up after 26 weeks, wasn't far away when last first up in a metro maiden. Won a trial going into this. Barrier 5 maybe the only knock. 4th
1) A Thousand Degrees - 900m not far enough, 1200m too far. This is its distance. Hoping it lobs third on the rail, on the speed. 2nd
5) Our Benevento - Another trial winner first up, with good previous maiden form, but at regional meets. Also does its best work late. 1st
1) Regina Margherita - Probably gets shuffled three back on the rail, outside place hope from there. 3rd
Wary of 2) Almandram, 14 starts with no placings but first up after 49 weeks from the respected Balfour stable. Will watch it go around.
R3) 1200m Maiden
7) Far Afield - First starter for McEvoy stable but coasted in a recent trial win. Think this trip suits. 3rd
2) Cover Girl - Has been there or thereabouts this prep, honest from wide barriers but gets 1 this week. Each way hope. 4th
6) Equichoi - Speed maps have it lobbing in the front few and has the best closing speed of the field. Only considering it because of J Maund. 1st
9) Lomachenko - 1200m seems to be its go, expect it to lead but may be labouring late to keep a few of these out. If bias is present, will be hard to catch. Died in the arse
Not keen but interested to see how 5) Zucchini goes, showing good improvement to finish third in a trial behind Factual and Black Hat. Still 2L away but on the improve.
R4) 1200m BM56
2) Fortify - Been consistent this prep for the Balfour stable, Logan goes on board to claim 3kg off the big weight. Looking for $5 for it. 3rd
3) Ogunde - Drawn to find the front and down in grade, if the on-speed runners are winning, the 10-year-old may well be fighting out the finish. Scr
4) Let's Tango - 50/50 for placing here at this distance. Don't rate the win at Clare last start but respect overall record. 2nd
1) Bwuva - Recent win was impressive but huge weight swing of 5.5kg probably makes things tough. 4th
Giving 6) Hinchin Miss a sneaky chance first up with the 3kg weight claim of Lo. 1st
R5) 1400m Maiden
1) Ethical Dilemma - Maps well here and longer straight, good barrier draw, should be in the finish. 4th
2) Hidden Agenda - Putting faith in the McEvoy stable. Not sure it showed much in trials but Pannell takes the ride. Expecting improvement. 3rd
3) Smart Alick - Got within 3L of Left Hand Man and Kenyan Wonder a few starts back before drawing the car park. Draws better in an easier grade. 2nd
5) Super - Honest fourth last start, if we're getting $20+ it's worth a small EW ticket. 1st
Watching 9) Kiss Me Charli, first starter from Stokes stable after two very average trials.
R6) 1400m Maiden - Yes, another one, and not completely sure how this will unfold.
2) Black Hat - First up after a spell, its two trials have been more than solid. Watch for form around Factual in R2. No good
5) Gourmelin - Change of jockey with Tourneur taking the ride. 3rd up now, fitter. Still not confident. No good
1) Brybek - Maybe it had more to give after turning last in recent 1200m run. 2nd
7) Indian Mo - Loves to lead and then fades more often than not. Got it here pending how the track plays. If leaders are winning, it's in with a show. 4th
I really want to like 8 Out Of Kilter for the Lloyd Kennewell stable. Probably needs this run but one to watch. 1st
R7) 1400m BM60
5) Light The Waves - Broke its maiden here earlier this year, two recent trials have been good against winning horses. Scr
1) Polar Vortex - Loved its run last start with Toeroek doing his best from tough gate. Will be closer in a small field. More weight the query. 2nd
4) Triple Spec - Good overall record but first up run leaves some question marks. 4th
7) Staghorn - Did ok to jag fourth from barrier 10 last start against some decent company. 3rd
Another almost day. Just one on top selection won, on top picks missed the kick in R3 & R4.
Nice work by Carey and MW with their insider tips, all of them landed. Perhaps that's the ingredient I'm missing. Shocking under estimation of Super and Out of Kilter, and as it turned out, the form around Factual in R2 was really average.
Huge effort by Fortify, will be on it next start, while the run of Cobber's Mate was eye-catching without much luck to run 3rd.
Thanks for participating. See what we can find in the upcoming SA meets, with Morphy Friday, Gawler Saturday and Bordertown Cup on Sunday.
I believe a fair few of these runners will be worth following through summer!
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:48 pm
