River can burst back to form
Story By by Gary Crispe
Tuesday, 15 August 2006:  | | Dale Smith |
The $10,000 Class 4 race has drawn together a good line-up but the in-form mare looks hard to beat with plenty in her favour today.
Prepared by Sue Murphy at Naracoorte, the mare has had eight runs this time in for a win and four minors.
But her recent form has ben excellent, having won a 1400m Class 4 at Warrnambool three starts back where she sat just off the lead before running away to score by almost three lengths.
She then tackled a 1400m Class 4 at Ballarat where she drew right off the track but pressed on to fourth throughout and battled on well to finish there behind On A Promise.
Last start, over 1450m in town at Cheltenham Park, the mare sat fifth in the run before working home well and hitting the front in the straight, only to be grabbed in turn by Secret Daughter.
That horse has since franked the form with an eye-catching and close-up fourth in last Saturday’s Listed John D Lee Stakes at Morphettville behind seasoned performer Exalted Ego.
Campaspe River not only comes into the race with good form but meets a field rated a few lengths easier today.
She has an excellent record at the trip and has drawn for a soft run in barrier three.
And another plus is her rider Brad Rawiller, who rode half the card at Bendigo last week and was unlucky not to win five races.
On the provincial circuit he is as good a heavyweight rider you will see so from the good gate on an in-form mare he would be expecting to be in the finish again.
Allenby’s Mate, prepared by another female trainer in Melody Keegan, looks the biggest danger.
The gelding has had six runs this campaign and although yet to place does look suited back in today’s easier grade.
Two starts back the gelding raced on the pace throughout over 1600m in a Class 6 at Sandown Lakeside and boxed on well to finish seventh behind Jukebox Johnny.
He then tackled a 1620m Class 3 at Donald and despite a wide gate and big weight ran a good race when a close-up sixth behind El Shinko.
Today he meets a tougher line-up but drops significantly in the weights by some 4kg, and has been freshened for this race.
Senior rider Dale Smith goes aboard today and from barrier five he should have a much better run this time.
Although yet to win at the distance he will appreciate this trip after the small freshen-up and on his best form looks hard to hold out.
Spiritueaux, prepared by yet another female trainer in Karen Fox, should appreciate the longer trip and will be doing his best work late.
The gelding has had four runs this campaign placing second-up at Werribee before finishing well back but only four lengths from the winner at Ballarat.
Last start, up to 1300m, the gelding hot the line hard to finish fourth and beaten less than two lengths behind Creek Side, who has run well again since.
The extra 150m will suit even better this time and he should be ready to show his best.
Today’s race is rated only marginally tougher but he drops 1.5kg in the weights and has the in-form Craig Newitt aboard.
On his best form he could figure at odds, especially if they manage to get some rain.
The Danny Williams-prepared Sharipova ran a good race last start and has drawn to be competitive again.,
The mare finished fifth a Sandown on the Hillside track over 1400m last start when on the pace throughout and from barrier two should take catching again.
She is up in weight but down in grade.
Inaname will be looking for further but on her best form could sneak a place at big odds.
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