Fortune eyes championship
won three of his five starts and was not unduly punished by the handicappers for his recent win, only getting three pounds. He should enjoy the rise in trip. Apprentice Lyle Hewitson is finding life a lot tougher now that he has lost his claim but he is a wise head on young shoulders.
Champion trainer Sean Tarry has kept him aboard beaten favourite Tennessee Red in the opening leg of the Pick 6 and the pair can make amends for their recent disappointment.
Tennessee Red made a late start to her career and has only had three outings.
The penny should have dropped by now and she is taken to get home ahead of Bank The Bill and Realist but it may also pay to keep an eye on the market as De Kock saddles an Irish-bred daughter of Epson Derby winner High Chaparral who does not have to be any kind of star to win in a weak field.
The Australian-bred filly Khetiwe has shown some promise but has proved a bit headstrong in her last couple of starts. She drops back to a sprint and this could prove her best trip. Nine O’Clock News is also lightly raced and is a possible danger. Pippi Shortsock has shown some ability and can run into the money. These three look the principal runners in another moderate maiden field. Fortune and Houdalakis look to have another bright chance in the fifth with top weight Our Miracle. The daughter of Mogok has been taken to the front by Fortune in her last two outings over 1400m and although the drop to 1200m is not always a recipe for success she has shown enough speed to pull it off.
Tripadvisor has been up against stronger in recent starts and found some market support at her last start.
She steps up in trip but has shown a tendency to be tardy out of the gate so the extra furlong could work in her favour.