Chivers suited in Showcase
Story By by Gary Crispe
Thursday, 17 August 2006: Prepared by top horseman Michael Kent at Cranbourne, Chivers has had just three career starts for two wins and can rack up another success in today’s race.
On debut, the daughter of Hennessy ploughed through the mud over 1450m at Ballarat to score by a long neck over Seranita, before being put away for a spell.
The mare didn’t appear until almost 11 months later when stepping out over 1212m in a Class 1 at Kilmore.
There she found the trip too short and although made ground was never in the race over the short journey when eighth behind Chu Chu Mama.
Stepping up to 1615m last start though held no fears for her and despite rising to a Class 3 against fillies and mares she proved too strong, scoring by a head over Cyclone Annie.
Today the mare meets a field rated less than a length tougher but will strip far fitter for the run and should also appreciate the longer journey.
In-form jockey Luke Currie, who has been aboard at her two runs this campaign, stays with her and from a good draw should be sitting off what will no doubt be a hot pace.
She can only be improved on her latest effort and may prove too strong in the run to the line again.
Outside of that mare there are a host of other chances but most will need luck in the run.
The Tony Noonan-trained Spazzata will find today’s race easier and can return to winning form.
The mare has had seven runs this campaign for a second placing and an amazing six fifths.
Yet to win beyond 1200m, the mare has been racing at about a mile throughout her campaign but in easier class today and with the right run might be able to finish this off.
After working home to finish 1.6 lengths from the winner in fifth over a mile at Sandown two back, she tackled 1640m at Flemington and ran on from near the tail to finish fifth again, beaten 3.8 lengths, but didn’t have a lot of luck in the run home.
Noonan is persisting with her at the trip so must believe she can handle it and with a ton of early pace on in today’s race she might just get the right run off the speed.
Although she meets an easier grade she also drops in weight and will no doubt be doing her best work late again.
Sellamanda might be over the odds despite winning over the course and distance last start.
Prepared by Sean Jackson at Cranbourne, Sellamanda appreciated the extra ground over the 1710m journey here last start when she sat off the pace before working home well to score a three-quarter length win over Ceequest.
Today’s race is rated a few lengths tougher but she at least is in form as a winner over the course and distance last start and drops 3kg on her latest effort.
She has drawn for a good run with cover in barrier four and with the in-form Craig Newitt in the saddle again can feature in the finish at good odds.
Hot Pink, a last start winner over 1500m at Mornington, is worth including in the multiples as she’s still on the way up and looking for the longer journey now.
Prepared by Peter Healy the mare is fitter for four runs from a spell and drops 1.5kg even after winning last start in a Class 1.
Despite her wide draw she is another who will be running on.
Dawn Stroll, who didn’t have a lot of luck last start when fifth behind Chivers, could place with a better run this time while Prayer Tine, third in the same race, should run well again but might face too much pressure early.
|
