Even though Victorian Sprint Championship winner Mr. Fix It has been scratched, the 525m Free For All at The Meadows tonight promises to be a fascinating contest.
Dual G1 winner Qwara Bale (20 from 36 – 29.79sec PB) is the headliner, but she is up against quality opposition including Aussie Secret (28 from 52 – 3 from 5 Trk/Dst) and G1 finalist Earn The Answers (3 of last 4).
Litter sisters Lala Ivory and G3 Cranbourne Classic winner Lala Kiwi (11 from 26) must also be respected.
The first of three G3 Top Cat Video Cup heats features Victorian Distance Championship winner Hank The Hustler (3 from 7 Trk/Dst) v Gypsy Wyong (10 from 17).
G3 winner Five Star v Knicks Bale (3 of last 5) v It’s My Party (2 of last 3) highlight the second heat, while G3 725m Speed Star winner Mepunga Ruby (11 from 18) faces Major Sacrifice (5 of last 8), G1 winner Here’s Tears (42.31sec PB) and Victorian Distance Championship runner-up Drako Bale in the final heat.
Due to the scratchings of Collinda Patty and Weblec Jet, G2 McKenna Memorial finalist Fernando Frank (34.33sec PB) is now favoured over Graclyn Bale and Nikoli Bale (won last 3) in the Mixed 4/5 600m event.
G3 finalist Black Avenger (29.63sec PB) is expected to sizzle as he did last Saturday night, while well performed chasers Yohan Bale v Run Like Jess (3 of last 4) v Mepunga Warrior (3 of last 4) v Gypsy Yankee should provide an intriguing battle.
At Horsham, the evergreen Benchester (25 from 69), along with youngsters Aston Flame (7 from 11) and Classy Sammy (3 from 7), are aiming to bolster their strike rates.
Here’s an extensive analysis of today’s Must Watch Race, and be sure to scroll down further for ? The Watchdog’s $10 spend…
? MUST-WATCH RACE: themeadows.org.au Free For All
LALA IVORY ? AUSSIE SECRET ? QWARA BALE ? LALA KIWI
? The Meadows ? Race 8 ? 525m ⏱ 6:39pm
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538931/race/8
The Watchdog says ?: It’s a shame that Mr. Fix It is scratched but we still have an elite line-up. AUSSIE SECRET (2) has been enormous in recent months, and he deserves another hit out in town. I’m expecting him to hold a prominent spot at the first bend, however he will want to move off through the corner and there could be some bumping throughout, so he appears to be a little risky today. QWARA BALE (5) is still the sprint queen of the track, however her kennelmate LALA KIWI (6) is looking to overthrow her. ‘Kiwi’ recently captured the rich Cranbourne Classic Final and she was far from disgraced in the Speed Star series here last week. The box draw hasn’t done her any favours, but she can lead or come from off the pace in her races, so a forward showing is expected. ‘Qwara’ is always a factor in everything she contests but from the awkward draw, she is going to need a few things to go her way. She contested the Speed Star here last week and I think she was a tad disappointing. She went through the first marker in a sizzling 5.05sec and came home in a solid 29.99sec. She was untouched throughout the matchup and a sub 29.80sec looked likely, so I’m a little concerned that she may be a couple of lengths off her best. LALA IVORY (1) is the interesting runner, she has continued to improve and with the ‘Secret’ expected to push wide at the bend, she may get a saloon run through and can kick away mid race. CARRY ON STAR (4) is Group 1 placed and she must be respected, she doesn’t have the early zip of her more fancied rivals, but she is quite strong and can take advantage if there is some bumping at the bend. There are so many ways this race can unfold, and I can’t wait to see what happens.
Selections: 1 – 6 – 4 – 5
