Sunday 18 July 2021 – Scone

Race 5.

There are four unraced runners in the field, so as is always the case in these types of races, a keen eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether the connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners, SPRITZA SERITZA may prove to be the best. She is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she raced up with the pace last time out before finishing third over six furlongs, just a length behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked. She attracted plenty of betting support that day and will be hoping to make amends here. She gets draw seven and the cheek pieces are fitted for the first time today. If these have the desired effect, she should give the males a good run for their money. OWN THE NIGHT is drawn one inside the top choice and is a 2yr old gelding taking on older horses, but he finished fifth last time out over 1100M, 8.7L back from the winner when returning from a 28 week absence and the form of that race has been franked. He has only had the three runs to date and if reproducing his penultimate effort when running third over 1050M, he should be right up there in the mix. ANDORRA LA VELLA finished fourth on debut over five furlongs, 3.8L behind the victor. He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he should be included in all bets.

Race 6.

The day’s value bet, BERRUTI was slightly disappointing last time out when dropping down to 1280M, finishing fifth, six lengths back from the winner. The gelding comes back to what appears to be a more suitable seven furlong journey and is likely to better as a result. His draw six should do him no harm. EIGER is drawn one outside the former and has finished closer to the winner in his last five outings, the latest when a head back second over a mile. He tried to go from jump to wire that day and was only collared in the shadow of the post. JAJA CHABOOGIE is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she missed out on her hat-trick last time out when finishing eighth over a mile, 3.2L adrift of the winner. She faces a wide draw twelve out of fourteen, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.

Race 7.

With the late scratchings of two of his main rivals, the door may have been opened for TINKA’S LAD to chalk up his second career win. He is seldom far off the action and finished fourth last time out over five furlongs, just under two lengths back from the winner. He returns from a 25 week break, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, finishing fourth in both of them. He jumps from gate four and should turn in another honest effort today. SEBRENCO is a 2yr old filly taking on boys and older horses. She has her first run after a shorter 21 week rest and has not had a barrier trial, so her fitness will have to be taken on trust, but she has only had the three runs to date, winning over five furlongs on debut and then finishing second in the other two outings. She will have to negotiate draw eleven, but she clearly has some ability. DEFIANT HEART hit the front at the 200M pole before going on to win his maiden race last time out over 1100M by 2.3L at the fifth time of asking. He is drawn in a wideish gate nine and takes on stronger here, but he should not be lightly overlooked in this line-up.

Race 8.

VERY SHARP is a 3yr old filly taking on boys, but she had her consistency rewarded with a just under a length victory last time out over 900M. She finished strongly that day suggesting that the extra ground on offer here will be to her liking. She has a wideish gate eight, but on the plus side, she will have 3kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice. As such, she is taken to be the best bet on the day’s card. FREE RIDER returns from a 33 week absence, but has had the two barrier trials to prove his wellbeing, winning the latest. The gelding has finished second in his last two outings, the latest over 1280M when 0.7L behind the winner. He has a wider gate eleven, but he will also have 3kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice. CHASING COMETS finished sixth last time out over five furlongs, six and a half lengths behind the winner when returning from a 30 week break. He is drawn in a handy gate three and should be involved in the finish.