International Racing: Thursday 23 July 2020 – Australia

Race 3.
DOCTOR MANCINI has consistent formlines to his name and was only run out of it very late when finishing second last time out over this c&d in heavy going. He has a handy draw of gate four and looks to be the one that they all have to beat. SWEEPING BROOK is drawn one inside the top choice and was only caught in the shadow of the post when finishing second on debut over six furlongs. He steps up in trip here, but he would have come on with the run under his belt and looks the immediate danger to the former. TECTONICUS also finished second on debut over six furlongs, but then raced green next time out when 2.8L behind the winner over the same distance. He is a 2yr old colt taking on older horses, but he should complete the trifecta here.

Race 4.
This looks a tricky contest in that seven of the now fourteen runners in the race make their debut today and two of the leading contenders return from rests. However, of the raced entrants, ON THE LEAD may be the best of them. He returns from a 19 week rest, but has had two barrier trial, winning the latest of these. He finished third on debut over six furlongs, but then disappointed next time out over the same trip and was immediately put away. He jumps from draw seven and should be right up there when they hit the line. PAPERSCISSORSROCK is a filly taking on the boys, but she did finish third on debut over 1100M before embarking on a 21 week break. She has had an encouraging barrier trial to prove her fitness and should be involved in the finish today. ALL THAT SASS is also a filly. She makes her debut here, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials, winning the first of these. She has cracked pole position and any betting support for her should be respected. The same comment applies to MY SISTER CAROLE who also has her first start today. She has had two barrier trial, winning the latest of these and starts from a handy three gate. 

Race 5.
MR COLORFUL followed up an improved penultimate run when finishing second over 1100M with his maiden victory next time out over five furlongs. He is a 2yr colt taking on older horses, but he won from jump to wire that day. From gate four and with ex-SA jockey Glyn Schofield in the irons, he is taken to be the value bet on today’s card. FLASH POINT is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she won on debut over five furlongs and is drawn one inside the former. She would no doubt have come on with that run under her belt and could be the biggest threat to the top pick. DESTINATION is another 2yr old colt in the race. He has his first run since a 18 week break, but did finish second in his only barrier trial. He did show some improvement in his last two outings before his rest and could be a factor in this line-up. 

Race 6.
REIBY’S REGENT has consistent form to his credit and finished strongly before ending up in second place last time out over 1300M. He is drawn in gate eight and could be the one to side with in an open looking contest. GOLLY I’M LUCKY goes for his hat-trick having won his last two starts over six furlongs. He is however drawn the widest of them all which won’t make things easy for him, but he should nevertheless be doing his best work late. GITAN drops in trip from his last two starts over seven furlongs when not too far back. He likes to race up with the speed in his races and is likely to enjoy the shorter distance of today’s contest. BARACUS missed out on his hat-trick when disappointing last time out over seven furlongs and was immediately rested for 18 weeks. He returns here after having two barrier trials and although drawn wide at gate ten, he will be looking to bounce back to winning ways today.

Race 7.
This looks another tricky contest and some caution is advised. MY BLUE JEANS is seldom far off the winner and finished well to end up second last time out over seven furlongs. He has a good draw of two and should put in another honest performance today. ADMIT IT is another who can boast consistent form and posted a solid win last time out over seven furlongs. He jumps from pole position and looks a big runner in this race. NOBLE BELLE is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she is seldom far off the action and although fourth in her last outing over a mile, she was only a half length off the winner. SAIGON is another 3yr old filly. She won her maiden race last time out over seven furlongs with a bit in hand and whilst taking on stronger today, she might well be up to the task on hand.  

Race 5.
PULI had his consistency rewarded when putting 4.5L between himself and the opposition to win his maiden race over this c&d last time out. He was returning from a 17week absence from the races track and on that effort, he is taken to be the best bet on today’s program. CHOICE COMMAND finished second in his last outing over the c&d, just 0.8L behind the winner. He has his peak run here and will get 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice. EUROTRIP returns from a 21 week rest, but did finish second in his one barrier trial to prove his well-being. He was not far off the action in his three outings over this trip before the break and should feature in the trifecta.

Race 6.
THE SINGING TIGER has only had the two runs to date and did win over the c&d on debut. He then disappointed second time out when dropping down to 1100M and quickly returns to the six furlongs and is likely to do better as a result. He jumps from a handy gate two and could be the one to be with here. MISS MANDY is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys, but she has made steady improvement in her last two runs, the latest when finishing fourth over the c&d, three lengths off the winner. She starts from a mid-field draw and will get 3kgs removed from he allocated weight courtesy of her claiming apprentice. WAR IN PARADISE is a 4yr old filly who has her first run since a 27 week break, but has not had the benefit of a barrier trial, so her fitness will have to be taken on trust. The blinkers are removed for today’s outing and if she is able to concentrate all the way down to the line, she should be involved in the finish here.

Race 7.
A 4yr old filly and two 5yr old mares could dominate the finish to this race and secure the trifecta here. SPEEDY MISS missed out on completing her hat-trick last time out when finishing a disappointing fourth over seven furlongs. She was posted two wins over the same distance prior to that and will be looking to return to winning ways today. BEL MY PAGO showed good improvement when running on well in her last starts to finish second over six furlongs, a half length behind the victor. She had not finished too far back in her two runs prior to that and will be aided by having 3kgs taken off her back for the services of her claiming apprentice. FRIAR’S FANTASIA returns from a 28 week rest, but has put in two encouraging barrier trials. She did not appear to enjoy going nine furlongs in her last start before the break and seems certain to enjoy going back over a shorter journey.

Race 8.
AL MAHALO followed up his penultimate win over seven furlongs with a head defeat next time out over 1700M, despite being hampered at the 200M mark. He has a handy two draw and with better luck in running today, he should be right up there in the firing line. BURN ONE DOWN finished fifth in his comeback run after a 25 week break, 3.7L behind the winner. He had won his penultimate outing over this trip before the rest and if not needing one more outing, he should be a factor in this line-up. HOOLAHOOPS is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she has consistent form to her name and although fifth last time out over five furlongs, she was just 1.7L back. She has a wide draw of twelve to negotiate, but she is likely to put in another honest performance today. MISS CIRCLEWORK is a 4yr old filly who steps up in trip after finishing third last time out over seven furlongs, one and a half lengths back, despite hand in the closing stages. She has the widest draw of them all, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without using up too much energy.