Fire up your Wednesday punting with our Cranbourne best bets, highlighting the key runners to help you continue the week the right way!
LA REINA VEGA (8) looks the clear top pick to kick off the card.
The Grahame Begg-trained filly made an encouraging debut at Seymour last month, working home strongly for second after covering extra ground without cover on a testing Heavy track.
From barrier 3, she maps to enjoy a much softer run this time, and with natural improvement to come and a sharp turn of foot, she looks very hard to beat.
| 8. La Reina Vega (2) J: Jordan Childs 56kg 2T: Grahame Begg | |||
| Was well-supported at debut, made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 7 at Seymour 2yo Mdn-Sw on July 19 over 1200m, on rain affected going; long-neck behind Dustee carrying 56kg at $2.20. Should improve and take beating. | |||
OMAMORI (1) looks the sensible way to play a tricky staying contest.
He carries the top weight here after tackling Saturday grade at his past two starts, where he was far from disgraced at Sandown and narrowly missed the placings on both occasions.
The inside draw is a plus at this stage of his prep, and with proven wet-track credentials and solid recent form, he appeals as a strong winning chance.
| 1. Omamori (3) J: Stephanie Hateley 61.5kg 32344T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run 4th of 10 at Sandown-Hillside 0 – 66 on July 22 over 2400m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Shultzy carrying 57.5kg at $3.80. Before that 4th of 11 at Sandown-Lakeside Bm74 on July 1 over 2400m, on a wet track; 3 len behind Nearco Frod carrying 55.5kg at $10. Terrific chance to break through. | |||
Happy to stay with ALIEN ANGEL (3), who made a strong impression winning her maiden on debut at this track over 100m shorter a few weeks back.
She does rise in grade now and the awkward draw makes things a little tougher, but there was plenty of merit in that fresh win, particularly after she was held up near the 400m.
The Hayes-trained mare looks to have upside, and on what she showed first-up, she appears capable of measuring up again.
| 3. Alien Angel (11) J: Jackson Radley 60kg 3×1T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Third race start. Promising on debut raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 10 at Sale Mdn-Sw on February 1 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Loveyamore carrying 57kg at $2.10. Went for a break before returning favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 1.75 len at this track Mdn-Sw July 16 over 1300m on a heavy track defeating Marine Grade with 57.5kg at $2.80. Progressive and can go on with the job now. | |||
RUSSIAN DUCHESS (9) looks right in the mix now with two runs back under her belt.
The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old was always going to appreciate further when she finished midfield first-up at Ballarat, before taking good improvement into her second-up run over 1400m here, where she led for a long way before fitness told late.
She should be much closer to peak condition third-up, and it’s worth noting she won by 1.5 lengths at the same stage of her prep earlier this year. The 1.5kg claim is another positive.
| 9. Russian Duchess (3) J: Jabez Johnstone 58kg 26×53T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up ran second last in a small field at Ballarat Synthetic 3yo Bm64 on June 24 over 1200m, 5 len behind Audio Pop Cam carrying 57kg at $6. Second run from a spell 3rd of 13 at this track Bm62 on July 16 over 1400m, on heavy track; 3.5 len behind Touxlove carrying 58kg at $12. Fitter now and making headway. Takes catching. | |||