With wet weather rendering the Warrnambool track a mud-pit, we travel a bit further north of the ‘Bool to Casterton for Monday racing.
The Wizard of Odds has chucked on his gumboots to stop him was through the best bets.
casteron Race 1
#5 Destiny Diamond
The Warrnambool trainers have a strangehold on this race but going with the hosre who represents the each-way value and that is Destiny Diamond.
The two-year-old filly from the Symon Wilde stable has had two jumpouts in preparation for her debut.
She was heavily restrained her first jog around the Stawell track over 1000 metres and then was able to keep up well with the city-performed Mr Money Bags in her second jump out.
Think she can run a bold race and she gets gun country jockey Dean Yendall to guide her around the course.
Suggested Bet: Destiny Diamond each-way at $7 the win and $2.90 the place (No Third Dividend)
Casterton Race 3
#8 Andress
Andress looks to possess talent that is better than maiden grade.
The three-year-old filly had some foot issues leading into her first preparation and held herself quite to finish runner-up at her two career runs thus far.
She has since had a 151-day spell and she looks to have come back a nicer horse.
The Dissident bred juvenile gets up in distance to 1200 metres for the first time in her career which should be of no concern given she is bred to get out beyond 1400 metres.
She has drawn a wide barrier but her early speed should overcome that.
Suggested Bet: Andress win at $2.70
Suggested Exotic: 8/ 4, 11/ 2, 4, 11
Casterton Race 6
#4 Printmaker
One last chance for Printmaker to print us some money.
He stepped up to 2000 metres for the first time in a while last start and acquitted himself well to run fourth.
Love that he races on the back-up and Symon Wilde has booked the senior jockey Jack Hill to pilot him around the Casterton course.
Hill should be able to get him into an on-pace position with some cover and produce his run.
Suggested Bet: Printmaker each-way at $6.5 the win and $2.40 the place.
Casterton Race 7
#7 Rushford
Rushford represents great each-way value at a nice price.
He resumes here at 1000 metres off a 186-day break and if we look back to this most recent first-up run it was a solid second behind Black Opal.
That effort was in BM-58 grade at Moe with 59.5kgs on his back and he did start a $4 elect that day.
Gets the 4kgs off his back thanks to the claim from apprentice Tianni Chapman and will be afforded a lovely run from barrier six.
Would be surprised if this five-year-old gelding misses a place.
Looks well set to run a cracker.
Suggested Bet: Rushford each-way at $14 the win and $4 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 4 & 7
