Mid-week racing comes to us live from Kensington and Ballarat this Wednesday. With love in the air, find out who our experts are expecting to take home the cash this Valentine’s Day!
Kensington Race 4
#1 Xidaki
Xidaki is ready to win. All runs this preparation have been full of merit, and I suspect his debut victory is just around the corner. The Zoustar gelding was only beaten a pimple at his latest outing, and the step out to 1400m could prove a training masterstroke. The enigmatic three-year-old looks one of the better bets on a tricky mid-week program.
Autumnmation let the punters down last-start at Canterbury when beaten at Winx odds. The Autumn Sun filly oozes class, and it may pay dividends to forgive and forget her last-start failure. The 1400m looks ideal at this stage of her preparation, and if she can produce a peak performance on Wednesday, she can break through and remove the gorilla from her back.
Overview was good without winning fresh. The Zoustar filly was tough on top of the speed throughout, and she never shirked the task late. From the middle gate, she can pilot the field, and if she can slow the clock down during the race’s middle stages, she will look the winner as they run for the doctor.
Suggested Bet: Xidaki @ $2.15
Kensington RACE 5
#8 Fleet Commander
Fleet Commander looks well placed in this company. The 54.5kg is a luxury, and his form this campaign has been ultra- consistent. His last-start performance at Gosford was good without winning, and I suspect he is ready to explode fourth-up from a spell. The drop back to 1800m is advantageous, and the addition of blinkers could prove the winning difference. He needs to record another victory.
Zambrero is over the odds! The Stratum Star gelding is knocking on the door, and he gets his opportunity to record a city victory in a very winnable assignment. From barrier two he will occupy the box seat throughout, and if the gaps appear before the final furlong, I expect him to figure in the finish.
Naval Seal will start favourite after producing an eye-catching performance at his latest outing. The Snitzel gelding is ready to win, and he should get a dream run in transit from a perfect inside draw. He always seems to find one or two better on the day.
Suggested Bet: Fleet Commander @ $5.00
Ballarat Race 5
#3 Rock The Bar
Rock The Bar was an impressive winner on debut. The Toronado gelding has had a freshen-up since, and a recent barrier trial at Geelong gave punters goosebumps. The 1100m looks ideal fresh, and I suspect he will get the perfect cart into the race from barrier two. The Damian Lane and Danny O’Brien combination must be respected, and I expect his quote to shorten significantly before the barriers open.
Pondalowie will start in the red after producing a blistering victory at her only career start. The Deep Field filly showed a massive turn of foot, and she broke the oncourse clocks with her sizzling late sectionals. I suspect she has a huge engine under the bonnet, and with the avalanche of early money, all roads lead to another bold showing. This is her acid test!
After producing an impressive barrier trial at Cranbourne, the undefeated De Bergerac will have supporters. The Zoustar colt looks talented, and he has shown a truckload of ability during the early stages of his career. If the camp can iron out some of his quirks and oddities, he could be the real deal.
Suggested Bet: Rock The Bar @ $6.00
Ballarat Race 6
#6 Rising Sun
Rising Sun has been specked at a price. The Fighting Sun gelding was an eye-catching winner on debut at Horsham, and he was luckless second-up at Donald. From barrier three, he will roll forward and contest for the pole position, and if he can pinch a couple of lengths coming around the home corner, he may lead his rivals in a merry dance. An early-speed battle could be his undoing.
Girl looks well suited dropping back significantly in grade. The Zoustar mare has form around some serious gallopers, and her best performance on Wednesday could be fences and panels better than her rivals. The big girl will drift back from the awkward barrier draw, and if she can stay in touch with the peloton during the middle stages of the race, she can make her presence felt in the shadows of the winning post.
Rhapsody Chic will resume and start race favourite for the Freedman camp. The Sacred Falls gelding has won fresh previously, and his recent jump out will have him cherry-ripe for a first-up tilt. The tsunami of early money indicates a forward performance, and he should get all the favours in transit from barrier one. The allocated grandstand weight is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Rising Sun @ $11.00
