Brunton planning big night
PREMIER trainer Scott Brunton takes a strong team to Launceston tonight with winning chances in six of the eight races.
The best of the stable’s team of eight appears to be Sir Simon, which will line up in the benchmark 66 handicap over 1400m (race 6) as connections plan to take the grey to Melbourne to contest “The Greys” race at Flemington next month.
The stable kicks off with lightly raced three-year-old Olympic Honour, which comes off an encouraging trial at Longford two weeks ago.
“Olympic Honour had only one start last season and his trial two weeks ago was very encouraging,” Brunton stable racing manager Neil Walsh said. “He is a nice horse going forward and he will improve on whatever he does on Wednesday night.”
First-starter Vallabar heads the weights in the second on the card and Walsh is very upbeat about his winning chances on debut.
“We were very pleased with Vallabar’s trial at Longford recently and while the 1100m might be a tad short, he has good ability and we expect him to make an impact in whatever he contests this prep.”
Needs Amore is first-up from a spell and she needs to overcome the outside barrier (12) in the class one handicap (race 3) over 1200m.
“The wide gate means her jockey [Noel Callow] will have to deliver a gem of a ride to get the money, but she is fit and well and she can win without surprising.”
Brunton has two runners in the benchmark 74 handicap in Sav’s Finale and Street Tough with the latter considered the best winning chance.
Street Tough went to the Longford trials two weeks ago and dumped rider Siggy Carr after rearing at the start. Carr injured her thumb forcing her out for three meetings, but Street Tough continued the trial to still get the desired result.
“Street Tough had his final gallop at the beach last Friday and he went super, so of the two in the race I’d say Street Tough would be the stable’s pick.”
Lord Smedley was an eyecatching second in Devonport last start and he lines up in the last race on the card, a benchmark 66 handicap over 1600m.
“We were very pleased with Lord Smedley’s effort last start and he will appreciate getting back on to the turf that is his preferred surface and if he runs the 1600m out strong, then this looks a very suitable race for him.” THE Cameron Thompsontrained Murano looms as one of the best bets on the program.
The four-year-old mare comes off a fast-finishing second to Lost Frequencies in Devonport four weeks ago and Thompson says she has done well since that outing.
“She’s drawn the inside gate and that will help her find a spot in the first half-dozen,” Thompson said. “She might need a bit of luck because she doesn’t have a sharp turn of foot and needs to be wound up, but if she gets the right run, she will be hard to beat.”