International Racing: Australia – 25 September 2020

BLAZING BEAU is seldom far off the action and finished second over this c&d last time out, a half length behind the winner. He finished strongly that day and from gate eight, he is likely to dropped out of the race early and then come with a rattle over the closing stages of the contest. AGAINST THE TIDE has finished fourth in his last two runs, the latest over five furlongs when returning from an 18 week rest. He steps up in trip, but did finish fourth over seven furlongs in his penultimate outing, so this should not be an issue. From gate three, he could threaten the top choice. RENT A ROCK won his last start over nine furlongs by a neck and takes a big drop in distance here, but he did finish third over seven furlongs three runs back and may not be adversely affected by the shorter trip. He is drawn the widest of them all in gate ten, but he should be doing his best work late.

Two fillies and a mare could dominate the finish of this race and complete the trifecta, but the top pick goes to RUNNING FOUR BUB who has cracked pole position and showed good improvement to finish second last time out over 1300M, just a neck behind the winner. She hit the front at the 200M mark and was only snared on the line. She will be looking to go one better today. RIVERSTOCK returns from a 28 week break and has not had the benefit of a barrier trial, so her fitness will have to be taken on trust. Although she finished sixth in her last outing over a mile, she was just over two lengths behind the victor. The form of that race has been franked and from her handy draw four, she could be the biggest danger to the former. AGENT OF CHAOS is drawn one inside the latter and makes her debut here, but she has improved in each of her three barrier trials. Any betting support for her should be respected.

EITHER OAR is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys. She has posted three solid effort over this trip, the latest when third, a half length back from the winner when returning from an 18 week rest. Her jockey put up 0.5kgs overweight that day and she may have just about won the race but for that. She is a speedy sort who will put her gate three to good use and is taken to be the best bet on the card. OCTAGON drops in trip from his last two outings over six furlongs, but he did finish third over this distance three runs back, so this should not be a problem. He is drawn one outside the top pick and may be her immediate danger. NO IMPEDIMENT has his first start, but he was a convincing winner of his only barrier trial. Keep an eye on the betting markets to get some any indication that his connections feel he has a winning chance first up. 

DEBRIEF returns from a 11 week rest and has not had a barrier trial, but he goes for his hat-trick today after recording his two prior victories over this distance, the latest by one length. He jumps from a handy gate four and is made the value bet on today’s program. NOSTRO RE has shown steady improvement in his last two runs, ending up in second place in his last start over five furlongs, beaten a short-head. He battled all the way down to the wire and if showing the same determination today, he could trouble the first selection. MY BLUE JEANS drops to sprinting after finishing seventh last time out over 1500M and may do better as a result. He should be included in all bets.

BELLE REVE goes for his hat-trick after winning his last two starts over five furlongs, the latest by nearly three lengths. He steps up in trip here, but he drew clear of the opposition at the 325M mark in that last victory, suggesting that the extra ground should pose little issues. He will have to negotiate a wide fourteen draw, but nevertheless still looks the one to side with here. FREE RIDER on the other had missed out on his trio of wins last time out when sixth over 1100M, more than five lengths adrift of the winner when returning from a 31 week break. He has a far kinder draw of gate three and could be the biggest danger to the top choice. DEPTH THAT VARIES had solid form prior to being a tad disappointing in his last outing over five furlongs. He was immediately rested for 29 weeks and returns here after finishing second in his only barrier trial. He is drawn one outside the latter and should be involved in the finish today. 

MORE SUNDAYS returns from a 15 week rest and did finish third in his only barrier trial. He overraced in his last outing over six furlongs before the break and then understandable had nothing to come over the latter stages to end up in eighth place, five lengths behind the winner. He starts from gate seven and if settling in his race today, he should be right up there when they hit the line. LUFF put the disappointing penultimate effort over six furlongs firmly behind him to win his next outing over five furlongs, albeit by just a short-head, when returning from a 20 week rest. He jumps from one gate outside the top choice and could emerge as his biggest threat. STAR RAIDER did not get the clearest of passages when hampered entering the home straight before finishing sixth in his last start over six furlongs, 6.7L behind the winner. He will have to overcome gate eleven, but should be included in all bets.

FREEDOM SQUARE struck the front at the 225M mark and then stayed on strongly to win by nearly two and a half lengths when making his debut over 1100M at this track. He would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, he may prove to be better than this line-up, despite having to deal with a mid-field draw. I’M GOING is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has cracked pole position and showed marked improvement when finishing third last time out over six furlongs, just a neck back from the victor. she was returning from a 34 week absence and was friendless in the betting markets. if not in need of one more run, she should give the males a good run for their money. LUCKY BANNER is a 3yr old filly who followed up her penultimate run victory over five furlongs with a below par effort next time out over 1100M, but she did encounter traffic problems when entering the home straight that day and could possibly be forgiven for that performance. Her tidy draw two will do her no harm.

RONAN’S ROCK made solid improvement to win his last start over a mile by some 1.8L. He has had a barrier trial since then where he finished second. He jumps from gate two and looks to be the value bet on the card. HARD FAITH is a 6yr old mare taking on males. She won her penultimate outing over five furlongs and then finished third in her next run over six furlongs, just under a length behind the winner. She has her peak outing today and should be right up there in the mix. ENTREAT is a 4yr old filly who finished strongly to win her last outing over this distance last time out to set up her hat-trick attempt here. She has a cozy draw four and the trio of victories is very much on the cards.