BlackBook - Saturday, 5 June 2021
Please see below for our #BlackBook runner comments for Saturday, 5 June 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.
BENDIGO - Race 1
#1 DARCEANDERMILL (7) - J Warren & D Krongold
DARCEANDERMILL has now put in three nice jump outs to stamp himself as a 2yo to follow. The colt was disappointing on debut back in October 2020, finishing 11th of 12th but he was immediately spelled to give more time and probably wasn’t ready - that race experience could be a big benefit now though. He was was a quiet 3rd on Apr 14, before taking out a Sandown heat on Apr 27 easily and now taking out Heat 8 on May 11 (pink and black) ahead of the older and more experienced 4yo Miss Mask (she is a 5 start maiden though). Think he can win a 2yo maiden first up as a much improved horse this time in.
#2 FINANCE CHOICE (6) - T Dabernig & B Hayes
Heat 5 was the quickest time of the morning, won by the 2yo ANDALUSIA who did have the benefit of some race fitness with 2x runs under her belt this preparation already. With impressive debut winner FAULDS in 3rd, it’s the un-raced 2yo FINANCE CHOICE (white with black sleeves) who finished 2nd and is the one we are following. Having had a set of three jump outs back in Dec/Jan, this was his first jump out back and he looked handy. Being a half-brother to Group 1 sprinter Indian Pacific, very keen to keep an eye out for another jump out. If he goes straight to a debut instead, think we can still follow and trust the stable.
We said we were very keen to keep an eye out for another jump out for the half-brother to Indian Pacific, FINANCE CHOICE did his credentials no harm when finishing 2nd to a pushed Gulf Of Aden in Heat 2 on May 28 (yellow), the fastest heat of the day. The gelding showed good gate speed and was under a strong hold as he pushed to the front. He was given a very slight push by the jockey at the top of the straight before the jockey let him cruise to the line. Probably would’ve liked to see him a respond a bit more but he wasn’t fully asked so it is hard to gauge and any other heat on the day he would’ve won. Looks to be a nice mover.
#11 RUBY MOCKINGBIRD (4) - L Kennewell
This was impressive. RUBY MOCKINGBIRD clocked the fastest heat of the morning (comfortably too) and won Heat 4 on May 25 (green) by a huge margin. She had a very quiet May 18 jump out, but this heat was far from quiet as she exploded to the front and absolutely dominated. She has some nice form too, finishing 2.4L off Dosh on debut before finishing a 2.5L 3rd to La Rocque. Expect her to be competitive first up this preparation on the back of this very impressive work.
BENDIGO - Race 2
#8 TRUE IMPACT (14) - J Scott
Fair run by the 3yo TRUE IMPACT, winning Heat 2 on May 27 (white with red) by a massive margin in the fastest 950m time of the morning on the Heavy track. This marked the gelding’s third jump out, following runs on May 11 and May 18 (alongside Halcyon Dame). He’s started double digit prices at all four career starts, his latest run only just losing to Holster at $31. He might be better over some distance, but should be forward enough to give a good sight first up in his second career preparation.
OTHER
CURRAN was impressive, looming up to recent MDN winner Jugs with ease and taking over to win Heat 10 comfortably in the end. Thought the eye catcher was #6 TAKE ME NORTH, who finished 4th but closed very well from the back and was making good ground late under minimal jockey pressure. Clearly needs further based on this run and breeding, so one to look out for as he steps up in distance.
BENDIGO - Race 8
OTHER
#1 INKSLINGER super out wide to win Heat 9 in slick time.
MORPHETVILLE - Race 2
#9 DANA POINT (6) - B Stanley
It was an arm workout for the jockey of DANA POINT as she was hard held when leading from start to finish to win Heat 1. Expect her to return better in her second career preparation as a late 3yo.
Ridden out, but DANA POINT was a huge 7L winner of Heat 17 in the fastest time of the morning to back up her hard held May 11 win. It’s good to see a hard held jump out followed by a ridden out jump out, which will bring her on for that first up run. If she’s in a BM58, think she wins. Even if she pops up in a BM64, can back her anyway, especially if it’s a country (not metro) BM64 like she’s been competing in.
No surprises here, with DANA POINT running the fastest time of the morning whilst winning Heat 2 ahead of Dark Rapture. She did it quite easily, jumping straight to the front and winning under a hold. Fingers crossed for a BM58, she’ll be very hard to beat.
FLEMINGTON - Race 4
OTHER
One worth noting because of breeding (not performance) - the 2yo daughter of Black Caviar, #7 INVINCIBLE CAVIAR was last in Heat 6 in the red silks.
Speaking of superstar mares, the daughter of Black Caviar in #7 INVINCIBLE CAVIAR was way too speedy when winning Heat 6. This was quite different to her May 11 jump out when she was last, so not sure we want to completely dive into this jump out. She’s a good one to follow due to her breeding, not completely sold on her as a betting proposition yet.
Not completely sold on her, probably prefer to watch - certainly don't want to be taking below $5 (at the absolute minimum), so not surprised with the early drift.
FLEMINGTON - Race 8
OTHER
#13 LUNAR HERO is back in VIC after four SA runs that ended in competing in a Group 2. The stable clearly has an opinion of him. Winning Heat 2 comfortably, this gelding can certainly win a BM64 back in VIC (even SA).