Handout and the money will be placed on it
Story By by Gary Crispe
Sunday, 5 September 2010: He relishes tracks with some cut in them and after the weekends weather so far it is more a case of what meetings are left and where on Sunday, so the footing is sure to suit.
Handout is unbeaten on dead tracks and all of his wins have come at the 1000m, which when you add in he is to be ridden by experienced rider Dale Spriggs and it looks like a case of put on and take out.
The gelding was blocked more than once last start at Hawkesbury last start and prior to that found Winter King and the Randwick opposition a bit rich, so he is much better than his current form suggests.
A middle barrier for the Albert Stapleford trained sprinter is actually ideal, as the horse can lead or sit handy and that gives the rider options from the outset.
Handout at the 1000m has finished second to the talented Nightofthegeneral and a repeat of that effort would see him home here.
Lifeboat was a distant second last start but runner up to Ollie Vollie reads solid considering the form that horse was in prior.
Big weights and awkward gates had not helped at his previous two outings but four starts back the sprinter won over 1000m on slow footing under 56.5kg at Tamworth, after an apprentice claim.
A sluggish start from barrier nine in an eleven-horse field did not stop Lifeboat from winning and Johanna Daniels is back aboard today but can only claim 3kg.
The relief makes Lifeboat look a must include on 56kg and the wide draw is of little consequence for such a proven warhorse with a dozen wins already racked up.
No matter what the footing comes up Lifeboat is a threat and the Moree Plate looks readymade for him.
Esprit Lad was placed at his only course run, so has a heads up over most of these for track experience and it came in this very race last year.
The natural leader finished third under 54kg and has since won a couple more races, so is not unfairly treated at all here being on the same weight.
I do think the last start placing over 800m albeit on heavy ground means he is sharp enough to enjoy going up to the 1000m today, as sprinters find it hard to come back in trip as half the field may find here.
Two starts back at Warwick Farm saw Esprit Lad finish fifth beaten four lengths under 56.5kg, after a claim, on heavy ground at 1000m and it reads even better now.
The first two home Not A Single Doubt and Riebeek have since formed the quinella two more times, at Randwick and then Warwick Farm once more.
The third horse home Sarkosy has since won his next two starts at Cessnock and the fourth runner home was Zaratone, which has won its next three outings on the Acton track at Canberra including an impressive victory in the Tony Campbell Cup last Friday.
Prior Baron is coming back from the 1350m last start but is fresh up since mid June and it is worth noting the off pacer is unbeaten at the 1000m in two attempts although it has been eighteen months since he last ran the trip.
His handy draw will also make things easier and dead footing is what the gelding wants most of all to unleash with full fury.
The twelve month ratings high for Prior Baron would be enough to win this and rider Timothy Bell should suit the Rodney Northam trained galloper.
Handout looks the one to beat but the form reference ahead of Esprit Lad two starts back does really catch your eye.
Lifeboat is too good to omit and Prior Baron will be sprouting wings late.
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