The Wizard of Odds starts his week at Wangaratta with a horse at big odds expected to improve.
Race four on the program also presents us with the best bet of the day!
Wangaratta Race 2
#6 Marius
Went like a snail when he was asked to quicken upon resumption at Sale over 1200 metres.
He copped a heavy track that day after being specked in the betting from $51 into $18 and running last, beaten by over 12 lengths.
Trainer Ian Pankhurst has since sent him to the Cranbourne jump outs over 1000 metres and he was pushed out to win with a gap to second and a space to the rest of the field.
Blinkers come off him here.
It will be interesting to see if he is better ridden with a sit rather than be bustled out of the barriers to sit on the speed and race fiercely with the shades.
Going to have to one more chance in a pretty average maiden race.
Suggested Bet: Marius each-way at $18 the win and $5 the place.
Wangaratta Race 4
#2 Chadstone
Chadstone drifted on debut from $15 out to $19 but almost got the chocolates after rocketing home from the rear half of the field at Edenhope on debut.
He was basically afforded no mathematical chance of winning given how far back he settled in the run and how advantageous it was to be up on the speed.
Love how he hit the line with a sustained run and the rise in distance to the mile is only going to suit him better.
His fitness will only improve after the first-up run so expect anywhere between an extra length or two on his last start rating.
He will likely settle midfield with some cover and given how Wangaratta plays when there is some rain about, hooking out wide might be the best part of the track.
Looks the best of the day.
Suggested Bet: Chadstone win at $3.3
Wangaratta Race 7
#8 Chocwedge
Chocwedge is in desperate need of 2000-plus metres and she gets the 2000 metres in this BM-58 event.
She raced in stronger grade last start over 1700 metres in a BM-64 at Geelong and acquitted herself quite well given the opposition was much better than she what she faces today.
Think we can get ahead of the stable trend given Matthew Linsday struck gold after landing a plunge with Crimosa at Bendigo.
Given the weight of money for that horse, it suggests the stable is about to get into form and our selection is about to hit peak fitness.
Patrick Moloney has a good association with this horse and that will only improve her chances.
Suggested Bet: Chocwedge win at $3.5
Wangaratta Race 8
#7 Was written
Was Written burned to the front in a BM-78 over 975 metres but was engulfed late in the race.
The four-year-old mare from the Gwenda Johnstone stable knocked up to finish fifth behind two honest Saturday runners.
Massive drop in grade to BM-58 but she does have to deal with a rise in weights.
However, the weight scale is quite compressed and she does get Alexandra Bryan to claim two-kilos off her back.
Looks to get complete control of the front and Bryan rides and times the sectionals well up when in the lead.
She will be trying to hold on from the fast-finishing swoopers late in the race so we will be with her each-way to stay safe.
Suggested bet: Was Written each-way $8.5 the win and $2.9 the place.
