All roads lead to Swan Hill this Friday for day one of their annual winter carnival. The Listed Golden Topaz is the feature event on a competitive eight race program, and with good weather predicated, a bumper capacity crowd will be trackside!
Swan Hill Race 5
#2 Second Divison
Second Division is flying this campaign! The Roc De Cambes gelding impressively won consecutive races in New Zealand before savaging the line late at Echuca. The lightly-raced five-year-old will appreciate the step out to 2400m, and he is doing an incredible job in his first career preparation. He handles all track conditions, and he looks well placed at Benchmark 64 level. The wide barrier is the primary concern.
Brawl is racing well without winning. The Atomic gelding has featured heavily on the country cups scene in recent times, and his best form reads incredibly well for this event. He meets easier opposition on Friday, and I expect the Brad Rawiller factor will attract late market support. His winning record is the most significant deterrent.
Privileged Son looks over the odds. The Savabeel gelding will roll forward and make his own luck from the middle gate, and if he can find the front uncontested, and may prove hard to run down. He should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his preparation, and he will eat up every inch of the longer trip. He needs to convert competitive runs into victories!
Suggested Bet: Second Divison @ $2.10
Swan Hill RACE 6
#4 Feuermond
Feuermond can bounce back here after a rare last-start flop. The Sea The Moon gelding had genuine excuses, and I expect a significantly improved run against easier opposition. His performance on Mornington Cup day is fresh in the memory, and if he can produce a similar effort on Friday, he will figure in the finish. He looks great each-way value!
Six Foot Song looks dangerous jumping from an inside draw. His first-up run at Murray Bridge caught the eye of punters, and he will relish the step out to the mile. Craig Newitt can have the Toronado gelding camp on the leaders’ back, and if he gets clear air on straightening, he will be there when the whips are cracking.
The Ballet Dancer will have supporters after an effortless last-start win at Pakenham. The Rock ‘n’ Pop mare looks to have plenty of upside, and she can continue on her winning ways with even luck in transit. The mile holds no fear for the talented four-year-old, and she handles all track conditions. This class rise is her biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Feuermond @ $7.00
Swan Hill Race 7
#8 Home Rule
Home Rule can win the feature event of the day. The Rebel Raider gelding will appreciate the drop back to 1200m, and he should get every chance to take up his favourite role as leader from barrier one. He looks well placed in this grade with 54kg, and if he is allowed to dictate the tempo throughout, he will look the winner approaching the final furlong. If the track deteriorates further, I expect his quote to short significantly.
Yulong Storm will start favourite after an impressive campaign to date. The Scat Daddy gelding hasn’t missed the quinella in his last four races, and with his good mate Maddison Lloyd aboard, he looks destined to make his presence felt in the shadows. The rising eight-year-old has a remarkable record at the track and distance, and if he can overcome an awkward barrier, he can win. His fate may be decided in the first 200m.
Along The River looks over the odds. The Written Tycoon gelding is racing well without winning in better races, and he is ready for the longer trip at this stage of his preparation. The current heavy conditions will make his assignment harder.
Suggested Bet: Home Rule @ $4.80
Swan Hill Race 8
#6 Sig Positano
Sig Positano is ready to explode third-up from a spell. The Canford Cliffs gelding has been great in both runs this preparation, and the drop back to 1200m could prove a winning masterstroke. I expect him to get the run of the race from a perfect inside draw, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, he will be hard to hold out. His record at the distance speaks volumes!
Stripped Back has been well supported in early betting. The Turffontein gelding is racing in great spirit, and he finds his pet distance here. He is nearing peak fitness for the campaign, and if he can find cover in transit from the wide gate, he can gobble them up late. The wet track may be his undoing.
Netanyahu can fly here fresh. The Alamosa gelding is proven first-up, and his recent barrier trial win at Flemington will have him cherry ripe for Friday’s assignment. His record at the distance is near perfect, and he loves the sting out of the ground. Overcoming the allocated weight is his toughest challenge.
Suggested Bet: Sig Positano @ $3.20
