Murray, Hewitson take the double
Banker Silvez in your Pick 6!
Callan Murray and apprentice jockey Lyle Hewitson are two of the best youngsters South African racing has to offer, and the pair make up a tantilising double – kicking off with Murray’s mount, Viburnum, in Race 6.
Mike de Kock’s charge is in pursuit of a third consecutive victory and is a worthy banker for BiPot and Place Accumulator players in this MR 78 Handicap over 1600m.
There was plenty to like about his 1.10-length triumph at the course last time out, considering he rolled in and was bumped in running.
Murray has partnered this son of Ideal World in all three of his career starts for two impressive victories and a fourth.
In his defence, he was drawn worst of all in that defeat and was actually one from last at the 400m marker – staying on smartly.
The three-year-old appears far better than his current merit rating of 74 and
considering he has benefit of jumping from No 2 draw, he should be too good for this field.
For Swingers and Exactas add in Mike Azzie-trained Powered Beauty who is
better than his latest 1.30 length defeat to Mighty Valdie suggests. He was making his handicap debut and was also drawn widest of all on that occasion so can be forgiven.
A son of Fastnet Rock, he appears well above average and is fortunately drawn at a top No 1 draw this time.
Hewitson should close off the double when he rides Pick 6 banker Silvez in Race 7, a FM Maiden Plate over 1600m. She was extremely unlucky not to win her latest effort when beaten just 0.10 lengths on the Inside track.
That form line has worked out pretty well considering it boasts a winner and two third-place finishers.
Silvez was subject to greenness last time and took a sharp shift at the 100m marker, taking away from her momentum. She is yet to run out of the money in five outings, and is smartly drawn at No 3. She also tops the best-weighted column and should relish the step up to 1600m.
It is very hard to find an apprentice who is worth his 4kg claim better than rising star Luke Ferraris. He is worth a good bet aboard American Indian in Race 8, a MR 72 Handicap over 1600m.
The 16-year-old teams up with his grandfather, Ormond Ferraris, on the ultra-consistent three-year-old Traffic Guard gelding who is well in at the weights, carrying 56.5kg, and jumping from No 1 draw.
He was beaten just one length into third by Albacore in his latest showing and should be good enough to win in this company.