All roads lead to Echuca this Friday for a competitive card of winter racing. Find out who our experts are tipping to take home the cash in Northern Victoria!
echuca race 6
#9 Doublern
Doublern was a good thing beaten at Caulfield two starts back. The Astern filly was ok without threatening last-start at Geelong, and she finds a very winnable assignment on Friday. She can sit in the box seat from the inside draw, and if the leaders feel the pinch late, she will be there to capitalise. The Kavanagh polish must be respected, and the appointment of the inform Brad Rawiller could prove the winning difference. She is ready to win!
Gusmao will have supporters after an impressive last-start victory at Murtoa. The Dissident gelding is a 1200m specialist, and he should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his preparation. From the middle gate, he can roll forward in search of the lead, and if he is left to his own devices, I expect him to figure in the finish. The allocated weight is the primary concern.
Controversial Miss is a must for all broader multiples and exotics. The rising five-year-old mare is ultra-consistent, and her form is better than it reads in the guide. She can run a drum at a decent price with even luck in transit. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Doublern @ $4.20
echuca race 7
#10 Smullen
Smullen is racing in great spirit. The Pierro gelding is always thereabouts, and he will thrive in the soft conditions on Friday. The drop back to 1400m plays into his favour, and he should get a soft run in transit from the perfect inside barrier. I expect him to fight out the finish if he can bring his best performance. Hard to toss!
Kiss Me If You Can will start favourite after producing a rock-solid campaign to date. The O’Lonhro gelding has threatened in most runs this preparation, and I suspect her next win is just around the corner. Her last-start performance at Bendigo was ominous, and she meets easier opposition here. Barrier twelve could decide her fate during the early stages of the race.
El Cordobes looks poised to strike after a recent freshen-up. His best form reads well for this event and he looks well placed at the Benchmark 64 level. If the All Too Hard gelding can sit midfield with some cover, he can come home with one fell swoop over the top of his rivals. His winning record is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Smullen @ $6.50
echuca race 8
#6 Enamour
Enamour is flying this campaign. The Charm Spirit mare has won two out of her last four outings, and she has been narrowly beaten in several other runs this preparation. She will appreciate the step out to 1400m, and if the heavens open, I expect her quote to shorten significantly. She will cross and lead from barrier eleven, and with the advantage of a 3kg apprentice claim, she can lead them a merry dance on top of the speed.
Throntari is ready to explode. The Alpine Eagle has been teasing all preparation, and I suspect this will be her peak run for the campaign. Her best form reads incredibly well for this race, and her recent outings have been building towards this run. A dry track would help the classy runner of the field.
Ellenmac comes to Echuca with a solid Sydney campaign under her belt. All runs this preparation have been full of merit, and the Maurice mare looks ideally placed back in this company. The 1400m is in her wheelhouse, and she handles all conditions. It may pay to watch for any significant market support.
Suggested Bet: Enamour @ $9.00
echuca race 9
#10 Aperol Blitz
Aperol Blitz can resume a winner for the Nick Ryan camp. The Shalaa filly had an impressive debut preparation, and she caught the eye of punters at a recent jumpout. She is a winner at the distance, and the 2kg apprentice claim puts one hoof on the till. From barrier eleven, she will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if she doesn’t get too far out of her ground during the middle stages of the race, she can gobble up her rivals late. She looks like the good thing about the meeting!
Glitzing has been great in both career starts. The Starspangledbanner filly has further natural improvement to come, and I expect her to go through her grades in the coming months. She is sharp enough to drop back to the 1100m, and Liam Riordan has plenty of options jumping from barrier six. The soft conditions will suit, and if further rain falls in Northern Victoria, she will be incredibly hard to beat. This is her acid test.
Cuban Sunset can run a drum at cricket score odds. The Squamosa gelding looks dangerous jumping from barrier two, and he is a winner previously at the distance. His run last campaign at Flemington is still in the memory bank, and he looks a ridiculous price with the best exposed in the race. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Aperol Blitz @ $2.90
