Cranbourne will host Victoria’s midweek metro meeting on Wednesday, August 4th.
The rail will be set out nine metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Heavy (8) range.
Race 1 – 12:25pm – Frankston Sand Soil & Mini Mix 3YO Maiden (1200m)
Sandy Prince couldn’t have gone closer to winning without jagging one, and I’m happy to give him another chance in the first at Cranbourne on Wednesday.
The Pride Of Dubai gelding has had three starts since debuting in February, finishing second on all three occasions.
I think he’ll take plenty of improvement for his first start back at Geelong a couple of weeks ago, and he does look the one to beat here on exposed form.
Race 2 – 1:00pm – Peter & Lavella Darose Maiden Plate (1300m)
There isn’t a lot of form to take in ahead of the second at Cranbourne on Wednesday, but I did think that Bewitchingly looked a key winning chance.
Bewitchingly has only made the one appearance at the races so far, and she didn’t get every opportunity to let down in the straight at Geelong after being crowded.
I’m confident she’ll take plenty of benefit from that experience, she’s drawn to receive a lovely run and I am happy to stick with her.
Race 3 – 1:35pm – Frankston Mazda Maiden Plate (1600m)
Marquess has improved for two starts since debuting and can break her maiden at Cranbourne.
The Godolphin-trained filly raced greenly on debut at Geelong and finished four lengths behind Sunfall, but there was a lot more to like about her last-start effort for third over 1400m.
Getting out to a mile looks as though it will suit, and Damien Oliver is a bonus.
Race 4 – 2:10pm – Hertz Cranbourne Fillies & Mares BM70 Handicap (2080m)
Royelle looks well placed to continue her rise through the grades at Cranbourne this week.
The Dundeel mare kept her best work for late when second, beaten half a length at Bendigo when resuming, and she broke her maiden with something in hand last time.
Fitter third-up and under the conditions of this race, she can strike again.
Race 5 – 2:45pm – Obrien Real Estate BM70 Handicap (1600m)
Herman Hesse will make his Australian debut at Cranbourne on Wednesday, and I am happy to have something on.
The Frankel gelding returned plenty of pleasing performances and recorded plenty of pleasing results in the UK, and he recorded consecutive wins at Catterick Bridge and Nottingham most notably.
I am wary of him coming off a long spell, but we can have an each-way play at the price.
Race 6 – 3:20pm – Mercedes-Benz Mornington BM70 Handicap (1200m)
Caffrey looks well placed to score second-up at Cranbourne.
He was a bit frustrating from a betting perspective last time, often promising plenty and failing to deliver, but his resuming effort this time for second behind Loveplanet at Ladbrokes Park was eye-catching.
He harbours plenty of upside and harbours a class edge over a lot of these rivals.
Race 7 – 3:55pm – De Bortoli Wines BM64 Handicap (1300m)
Killarney Kiss can continue her rise through the grades at Cranbourne on Wednesday.
The Tavistock mare was well beaten by the likes of Please Sir here at Cranbourne on debut but still managed to fill the minors, and she converted that effort into a lovely win here last time.
Fitter third-up, she has options from the rails draw and can fight out the finish again.
Race 8 – 4:30pm – Long May We Play BM64 Handicap (2080m)
This is a tough way to end the day from a betting perspective, but I think that a horse like Adonis Kick has claims on winning.
Adonis Kick finished second behind Copper Fox at Geelong when resuming this time, but found a Saturday field at Flemington a little too sharp most recently.
Fitter third-up and dropping back in class, I think he’ll be in the finish.
