RISPETTA - The Bellamy-trained Rispetta is another that will appreciate getting back on top of the ground after striking soft tracks at her first two runs this time in. A four-year-old daughter of Lope De Vega has won two of her 15 starts with both the wins coming on good ground with the mare’s good track record reading two wins from nine starts on top of the ground however is yet to return to the winner’s stall from six runs on soft or heavy ground. There are a couple of other statistics that suggest today is the day for Rispetta.
JEWEL OF THE CLAN - A daughter of Delago Deluxe out of the Strategic mare Strategic Miss makes Jewel of The Clan a half-sister to Chief Of The Clan which was an out and out speedster and the winner of five races with four placings from 13 starts with all five wins coming over the 1000m journey. Trained at Canberra by Nick Olive and a Richard Bensley ride, Jewel Of The Clan showed she had inherited the family speed racing away to win a 900m Sapphire Coast maiden by 5-1/2 lengths defeating older horses and producing speed ratings good enough to at least win a class one or a lower level benchmark race. Jewel Of The Clan comes back to her own age in the Underground Storage Tank Removal 2YO Handicap (1080m) and although up in distance and weight should be too quick for her rivals although in saying that I won’t be taking under $2 and reckon those odds will be available as the day progresses.
STAR OF THE CLAN - The $3.10 for Star Of The Clan in the Siracusa Sweepstakes Benchmark 60 Handicap (1080m) represents genuine value. Being a daughter of Zizou, Star Of The Clan is a full sister to Chief Of The Clan and she too showed plenty of early toe winning a 1000m Canberra maiden on debut winning with something in hand. A 2kg weight drop and barrier three will see Star Of The Clan more than competitive stepping up in grade.
INVISIBLE GIRL - Above average, four year old mare from the astute Lloyd Kennewell stable that comes into this off the back of a forgive run. After drawing out in the carpark she never got into the race, a mile out of her ground early before making some headway late. Her first-up 1-3/4 length fifth in a much tougher Bechmark 82 race behind the in-form Ascendance rates well for this, and formlines from her last campaign, again against more seasoned sprinters, also reads well for this. She has also drawn to settle a lot closer from the good gate, gets in terrific just 1.5kg above the minimum after the claim, and has interestingly won both previous third-up runs which adds further confidence to what looks a cracking bet at the opening $8. One of the better value investments on the program.
ANCIENT ECHOES - Darren Weir-trained visitor that smashed his rivals when brought over for one and only previous South Australian run after covering ground throughout. Far from disgraced in two subsequent Melbourne runs including the latest in a much tougher race than this. Gets in carrying same weight and maps to enjoy every chance, not too far off leaders from good draw. Dean Yendall jumps back aboard and I think he has a fair bit on these and expect him to again beat them comfortably. Considering we have him marked around $1.80, the opening $2.70 reads as terrific overs. Betting up.