Warrnambool takes the headlines for Thursday racing as we get set for an eight-race card.
One of the best best of the day comes up early in the card with a middle-distance horse ready to make a winning run.
warrnambool Race 1
#5 arohaboy
Arohaboy is set to peak third-up into his preparation after some solid efforts at shorter distances.
The three-year-old gelding was snicked back from the wide barrier last start and clearly needed the run to peak for this race.
Drawing barrier one will see him either lead or sit one-pair behind the leaders and with the improving fitness base, he will be hard to hold out.
This clearly looks like Blaike McDougall’s best ride for the day and he will be our best bet for the day.
Suggested Bet: Aroha Boy win at $2.5
warrnambool race 4
#3 Grand York
Local trainer Symon Wilde will have this four-year-old gelding ready to fly at his second career start.
Grand York ran a solid third on debut over 1200 metres at Warrnambool a fortnight ago and will have derived great benefit from the run.
He will settle in a similar spot in this race to where he did on debut, which will give him every possible chance of winning this race.
Senior jockey Joe Bowditch has remained on the horse and his strong riding style will suit this horse perfectly.
Expecting him to win this race if he can show the two to three-length elevation of fitness he should naturally take from the first-up effort.
Suggested Bet: Grand York win at $3.5
Suggested Exotic: Exacta 3 & 2
warrnambool race 5
#4 hendrika
Hendrika has made a marked improvement since becoming part of the Andrew Bobbin stable.|
The five-year-old mare bolted in at Echuca two starts ago and then made the progression to Sandown.
She drew a very wide barrier at Sandown and was never a winning hope given the position in run she found herself in and the way the race was run.
Coming back to country/provincial level looks an ideal situation for her as does jumping from barrier one, which should see her ascertain a much more competitive place in the run.
Suggested Bet: Hendrika each-way $8 the win and $3.30 the place
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 2, 3, 4
warrnambool race 8
#10 yarra boy
Taking a big punt on the nous of gun Warrnambool-based trainer Lindsey Smith in this race.
Yarra Boy has started hard in the market at his two runs this preparation, but has not showed the early speed and dash needed to be winning over the short course.
Interestingly, Smith has decided to get this horse savagely up in distance to 1700 metres.
What should work well for this horse is the ability to take the lead, given he comes up against the most dour horses he has ever faced.
If Matthew Cartwright can some how steady this race down to crawl out in front, he might just be able to dash away from his rivals after having cheap sectionals in front.
Suggested Bet: Yarra Boy each-way at $6.5 the win and $2.4 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 2 & 10
