Australian Racing: Monday 28 June 2021 – Taree

Race 5

OAKFIELD PRINCE has only had the four runs to date but has chalked up two firsts and one second-place finish, so clearly, the gelding has some ability. He kicked clear of the opposition at the 200M mark when winning his last start over 1500M by just under a length and the form of that race has been franked. He jumps from gate six and should turn in another honest performance today.

HIDDEN HILLS has cracked pole position and is seldom far off the action and although recorded as finishing fourth last time out over a mile, he was just under a length and a half behind the winner. He found himself towards the back of the field that day and then did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight. With better luck in running here, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

BLAZING SUNRISE on the other hand has drawn the widest of them all in gate nine. He finished eighth last time out over seven furlongs, just over six lengths adrift of the winner, but his jockey felt that there was something amiss with his mount over the closing stages and did not persevere with his ride, so that effort is best ignored. He has his peak run after returning from a lengthy 40-week break.

Race 6

The day’s best bet, BUCK PHAROAH is a 2yr old gelding taking on older horses, but he has only had the three outings to date and did finish second in his first two outings over five furlongs and then won at the third time of asking over the same trip by nearly two and a half lengths. He was crowded at the start that day, but then finished strongly to capture victory drawing away from the opposition over the latter stages of the competition. The form of that race has stood up well with two runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He returns from a 16-week rest and has not had the benefit of a barrier trial, so his fitness will have to be taken on trust, but from his handy gate three, he may prove too good for this field.

CHASING COMETS has his first run since a longer 30-week absence, but did win his only barrier trial to prove his fitness. He finished eighth in his last start before the break, five lengths back from the winner and will have to negotiate draw twelve, but he should be doing his best work late and could threaten the top choice.

SHE’S SMART is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has cracked pole position and did finish third in her last start over five furlongs, just under a length and a half off the winner. She came from some way back that day and also the widest into the home straight, so under the circumstances, that effort was encouraging.

Race 7

LOOSE BUTTONS has made steady improvement in each of her last three runs, the latest when fifth over 1280M, 2.8L adrift of the victor. She was bumped at both the 300M and 100M marks that day but nevertheless stayed on well over the closing stages. She faces draw nine but should be right up there when they hit the line.

ENDORPHINS jumped awkwardly and then raced three wide approaching the turn when winning her maiden race last time out over 1300M by just under two lengths. She faces stronger today, but has a handy draw five and has her peak outing since returning from a 15-week rest. She may well be up to the task at hand.

ATLANTIC LITE shifted out sharply at the start but then tried to go from gun to tape before ending up in fourth place last time out over 1300M, two and a half lengths behind the winner. She was only collared over the final 75M and from draw seven and with having 3kgs removed from her allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice, she could prove difficult to reel in over the latter stages.

Race 8

SIR BAWN followed up his penultimate run victory over seven furlongs with a sixth-place finish next time out when dropping down to 1300M, 2.3L behind the winner. He was making good late progress that day and returns to what would appear to be a more suitable journey. From gate seven, he is taken to be the value bet on the day’s program.

CLAY PAN BOOGIE is drawn one inside the top pick and had to be eased off the heels of other runners when entering the home straight, before ending up in third spot last time out over 1100M, 2.8L behind the winner. The gelding was returning from a 16-week break that day and should be considered a big runner in this line-up.

DOLLSON showed marked improvement when the second last time out over five furlongs, 0.8L back from the winner, this despite coming five wide into the home straight. He faces a wide gate eleven, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy. He has his peak run after returning from a 28-week absence and if able to confirm that last effort, he should be right up there in the firing line.