Australian Racing – Wednesday 1 September 2021 – Kensington

Race 4.

Whilst only eight runners go to the post here, this looks to be a tricky race, so some caution is advised. The tentative first choice goes to MAJELLA who is a 7yr old mare taking on the boys, but she followed up her penultimate run victory over 1500M with a fourth-place finish next time out over a mile, 1.3L behind the winner. She had to be held up between the 350M and 50M marks that day, as well as taking a bump when looking to get a clear run and as such, could be considered an unlucky loser. She jumps from gate five and she should give the males a good run for their money.

ESTREET has only had the two runs to date and showed the expected improvement to win by a head over 1500M at the second time of asking. He came the widest into the home straight that day, but still finished off his race strongly. He should have improved further and from a handy draw three, he should be right up there in the mix.

FREE STATE has cracked pole position and had his consistency rewarded with a half length win last time out over 1500M, despite coming three wide into the home straight. His cause will be aided by having 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and should he be included in all bets.

Race 5.

The day’s best bet, MORIOKA has recorded one second place and three third place finishes from her four runs to date, finishing third in her latest outing over six furlongs, just under a half length back from the winner. She jumped awkwardly that day, but battled all the way down to the wire. The 3yr old filly does return from a 14 week rest, but she has had the benefit of two barrier trials, winning the latest. From her cozy gate two, she looks set to break her maiden today.

SILHOUETTE is drawn one outside the top pick and showed marked improvement when finishing second in her last start over six furlongs, one and a half lengths adrift of the victor, when returning from a lengthy 41 week absence. She made good late progress that day suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to her liking.

RUBY TUESDAY is seldom far off the action and ended up in fifth place last time out over 1500M, 3.3L back from the winner, notwithstanding hanging out over the closing stages of that contest. She gets draw six and will have 2kgs removed from her allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice.

Race 6.

PARK AVENUE has only had the three runs to date, but missed out on his hat-trick when finishing third in his last outing over six furlongs, just under two and a half lengths off the winner. It should however be noted that he only saw daylight at the 300M pole that day and finished off his race in fine style from that point. He returns from an 11 week rest, but has had two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and winning the latest. He jumps from gate three and will have the services of a 1.5kgs claiming apprentice. As such, he is taken to be the value bet on the day’s program.

RUSTIC STEEL won his penultimate outing over 1100M and then ended up a staying on fourth next time out over six furlongs, just over four lengths adrift of the winner. He faces a wideish draw eight, but on the plus side, he will have 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.

TAKSU also won his penultimate start, but in his case over 1300M and then finished eighth in his next outing over seven furlongs, just under four lengths behind the winner, but he overraced in the early and middle stages that day and that effort can be forgiven. He has an even wider draw eleven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

Race 7.

A 3yr old filly, a 5yr old mare and a 4yr old filly could dominate the finish to this race and secure the trifecta, but SKY COMMAND is taken to lead the pack home. She was a tad disappointing when missing out on completing her trio of victories when finishing eighth last time out over 1100M, 7.4L behind the winner, but that was in a Listed Race and she was also reported to have puled up lame in her near-hind leg. She tried to go from jump to wire that day and the effort is best ignored. Her trainer is obviously happy with her now and whilst draw the widest of them all in gate eleven, given her style of racing, she is likely to use her early gate speed to move across soon after the jump.

MISS DIOR on the other hand, has cracked pole position. She has consistent formlines to her credit and finished second over 1100M at this track last time out, just a neck back from the winner. She is likely to turn in another honest performance today.

ESCAPE ARTIST was bumped jumping and then came four wide into the home straight before ending up in third spot last time out over 1100M, just under a half length behind the winner. She has pulled gate five and will have 2kgs removed from her back courtesy of her claiming apprentice.