Day 2 of the Warrnambool Carnival continues on Wednesday with a wide-open edition of the Galleywood Hurdle over 3200m.
The Wangoom Handicap is also shaping to be a fascinating race between the sprinters, headlined by Group 1 winner Tuvalu and the always consistent, Midtown Boss.
With rain around, the track is still rated in the Soft 6 range with the rail in the true position.
For our thoughts on every race on Galleywood Day, read on below!
Hurdwick Stone looks a decent value play to kick off Day 2 of the Carnival.
The Busuttin and Young-trained three-year-old is yet to cash a cheque in three starts, but he has gone close on each occasion over the mile.
His latest effort saw him held up badly over the final furlong, a run that indicated he might be wanting further once he eventually found the clear.
Competing in the blinkers now with Nash Rawiller aboard, there’s a bit to like about his chances in an open race.
Engeline returned to form two weeks ago at Pakenham, quickening out of the home turn where she held on nicely to run second behind impressive debut winner Tishman back over 1400m.
The step back in trip likely did her some good after finishing only fairly over the mile at Benalla the start prior, while she also has the run under the belt now on a soft track.
Fitter third-up and just needing some luck from the wide gate, she should be one of the toughest to hold out in the concluding stages.
Tough race with only two having faced the starter before, but I’m happy to roll the dice on La Pleine Lune on debut for Lindsay Park.
The colt out of Group 2 winner Puissance de Lune was given a soft ride in his trial at Benalla last month, improving sharply a couple of weeks later where he sped into the clear to win a jump out at Flemington.
His trial came in similar wet conditions and the booking of Nash Rawiller from the inside gate are two big ticks.
Tom Foolery returns on a quick five-day turnaround after running on late to finish 1.6 lengths off at Cranbourne last week over shorter.
By Americain, his two previous attempts over the jumps were solid, placing on both occasions at Ballarat and Pakenham around the 3200m trip.
Will Gordon has some experience in the saddle and a range of options from barrier 3 at his disposal.
With some okay wet track form, the right run in behind the speed should see them go close.
Ti Tree Lad appeared a little out of his depth when beaten 4.5 lengths by the well-backed Here The Crowd on return at Caulfield Heath two weeks ago.
Mitch Freedman’s gelding gave a nice sight on debut for third at Swan Hill last September before winning his lead up trial at Donald, so this step back a level should suit providing he sees out an honest 1400m.
John Allen sticking is an obvious plus with the pair likely settling as one of the back markers from the low draw.
The Mighty Spar looks a likely improver heading into the Galleywood coming off a decent effort at Pakenham three weeks ago over the hurdles.
The Kiwi raider was right in the thick of the race before his condition gave way over the final 100m, an effort that does warrant respect though considering he was four weeks between runs.
Mark Walker has tinkered with his gear heading into his second Australian start and there’s no knock on his record over the jumps.
On less of a turnaround, he should be thereabouts in the final stages.
Whistlefield is one to watch coming off a four-week freshen-up.
We last saw this daughter of Deep Field go around at Yarra Glen where she was taken forward under Linda Meech and entitled to weaken at the top of the straight where she was eventually beaten 3.7 lengths.
Her previous win at The Valley was full of merit though, and we’ll likely see similar front-riding tactics from Meech having drawn a soft gate.
Proven in the wet and down in the weights, a place isn’t out of the question.
Midtown Boss has been the model of consistency during his short time at the races, missing the money only once from 11 starts with a handy last-start win at Flemington to his name a month ago.
The Street Boss gelding has likeable form around Johnny Rocker to his name two back at The Valley, a horse that has since gone on to run second to Imperatriz and finish two lengths off Chain Of Lightning in the TJ Smith Stakes.
We’ve seen him handle some sting out of the track in the past, while the step up to 1200m now looks ideal with a good gap between runs.
Down in the weights from a low draw, this looks the perfect set up.
Mark Of The Man returns to his home track looking to claim another win.
It’s going on close to a year since Aaron Purcell’s six-year-old last won a race, but his recent form does make for easy reading with two placings next to his name across his last two starts.
Stepping up from the mile to 1700m looks a tick in the right box with the experienced hand of Linda Meech retaining the ride.
He’d probably like the rain to fall, but rock-hard fit for four runs back and likely to settle just off the speed, he’ll be thereabouts when the whips start to crack.
Jabbawockeez should be better suited after going down only narrowly at Caulfield first-up over the same trip.
The son of Redwood is a progressive type that has shown plenty of ability through 11 starts so far, letting down well with a strong turn of foot from a midfield position to just miss out narrowly behind Jucconi close to four weeks ago.
Second-up, his record reads well, and if he gets luck in running from the wide gate and finds cover early, he’ll be right in this with conditions to suit.