BlackBook - Saturday, 31 July 2021
Please see below for our #BlackBook runner comments for Saturday, 31 July 2021. The runner's highlighted are our #BlackBook runners (the key runners of focus), while those included in the 'other' section of each race are additional runner's that have jumped out well enough to be worth noting. All NSW #BlackBook runners are 'other' runners.
MOONEE VALLEY - Race 1
#4 DIRECT (2) - L Kennewell
Loved the work of DIRECT in his return in Heat 5 on Jul 20 (green). He jumped cleanly but was heavily restrained to the back, with the jockey getting an arm workout throughout the heat. He eventually crept forward to win the heat as it looked like the jockey just couldn’t hold him back any longer. His form reads super now - he was 2nd to Paulele on debut who then won his next start with his prep ending in a 2.5L Group 3 victory. He was then 3rd and only 1.5L off the winner, Home Affairs, while just behind Rocket Tiger with his latest run being in the Group 2 Todman Stakes, finishing 6th but only 3.6L behind the winner Anamoe in a field that including Profiteer, Stay Inside and Remarque. He’s smart and very keen to follow him into the spring, especially down here in VIC.
OTHER
#1 JIGSAW is smart and showed it again, taking out Heat 1 on Jul 19 by several lengths while clocking the fastest time of the morning by over 1.8s. Looked as though the blinkers went on him this morning and there is no doubt that he is travelling super.
JIGSAW is going to be very hard to beat, happy to play him at anything around ~$2 and save on DIRECT.
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PAKENHAM - Race 2
OTHER
Have to note #6 STREET LORD, a big winner of Heat 13 on Jul 19 over 1000m, albeit in slow time. The gelding was 2nd to Holt on Jul 5 before stepping up to 1000m here and clearly appreciating the distance rise. Was a matter of straight to the front and kick away here.
PAKENHAM - Race 3
OTHER
Fair win by #12 JULINKA, taking out Heat 1 on Jul 23 in the clear fastest synthetic time of the morning. The time was very impressive in only her first bit of work back. Keeping an eye on her.
With the week off in VIC, this mare makes her return off only the 1 jump out. Dominated on the synthetic at Flemington though.
PAKENHAM - Race 4
#5 RONIN (13) - M Price & M Kent Jnr
Thought RONIN put in another nice bit of work, winning Heat 1 on Jun 8 (pink) following on from his Apr 20 trial win ahead of Missed The Mark (since 4th by 4.6L in a MDN). As mentioned previously, this 3yo gelding is solely owned by Mick Price. He jumped okay, quickly getting into stride out wide where he then cruised up to the leaders before hitting the front under his own steam, never asked for an effort. Only really recent Flemington winner Romancer was making ground on him late. Want to follow him into his debut as a late 3yo.
Was very wide on debut, finishing a bit back in 4th despite starting $3.70. Not jumping off after a run with excuses. Barrier was the worry but gets into 8 post scratchings - looks an E/W bet.
OTHER
#4 INORDINATE is yet to be fully tested at the jump outs, finishing 4th in Heat 7 on Jul 20 (red). Hard to know what’s on under the hood, so he’s one to keep an eye on.
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MORPHETVILLE - Race 4
OTHER
#8 YULONG PHELPS was an impressive 3.2L debut winner when previously with Lindsay Park and he looks to have returned in nice order for Danny O’Brien with a quiet Jun 4 followed by an impressive win in Heat 7 on Jun 25. The 3yo colt can go on with it now in his second preparation.