Despite it being a dark day for punters alike, the track played absolutely beautifully on the day with the rail out 3m, with winners coming from on and off speed and the majority of horses getting their chance.
Chili Is Hot
- Race: 2
- Distance: 1200m
- Class: 3yo
Was really impressed with this filly’s return here for Graeme Ballantyne. Was slow out of the stalls, settled back at the rear on the fence and had a mission ahead of her on straightening but really finished off strongly and hit the line hard, running the race fastest L600/400/200.
When To Bet
Up in trip to the 1400m in something easier is going to be very, very hard to hold out.
Crystal Valley
- Race: 4
- Distance: 1600m
- Class: 66+
This horse is flying for Colin Webster. Has run 2 massive races at his first 2 starts this prep, the most recent of which over the mile when running on into 3rd behind Phoneme. Settled at the rear of the field, peeled out widest on straightening and rattled home in the race fastest L400/200 splits. Was really chewing the turf off them towards the line.
When To Bet
Isn’t even out to his favoured longer trips yet, so next start at 1800m+ from a good gate he doesn’t need to sit as far off them and is going to be running a very good race.
Comfort Me
- Race: 6
- Distance: 1100m
- Class: 66+
Gee whiz….on review this was probably the hard luck story of the day. Huge 1st up performance against some quality opposition over a trip I thought was just too short of his best. Dropped out to the tail early before being strung up between horses without any air from on straightening until there was about 100m to go, still trucking, found some breathing space and just surged through the line ears pricked in the fastest L200. Looks primed for a big prep. Happy to say he would have won this race with clear air sooner in the straight.
When To Bet
Is only going to get better over more distance where he can take up a more forward spot in running, keep a very watchful eye on where he goes next.
