Fire up your Sunday punting with our Ararat Gold Cup Day best bets, highlighting the key runners ready to help you end the week right.
GENERAL BLU (2) resumes for the first time since finishing fifth, beaten four lengths, in a heat of the Future Stars series at Pakenham, where he suffered lacerations.
On debut at Geelong over this distance, he finished second, beaten just by a nose.
The Team McEvoy-trained gelding looks set for a bold first-up showing after two jump outs, with his latest 800m hit-out at Flemington producing a nice piece of work to win.
Drawn in barrier three, he’s well placed to get a favourable run.
| 2. General Blu (3) 59.5kg25x | |||
| Racing first-up today. Finished off last preparation fifth of 7 at Pakenham 3yo Mdn-Sw February 5 over 1200m, 4 len behind I Stand By You carrying 58kg at $1.80. On debut second of 10 at Geelong 3yo Mdn-Sw January 20 over 1125m, a nose behind Superliv with 58kg at $9. Expected to feature again while fresh. | |||
SOUTHERN CRESCENT (3) will appreciate the drop in class after placing third in a BM70 at Hamilton on her first-up run.
She was held up badly from the 500m and only got clear over the final 150m, so she did well to finish strongly into the placings.
The Adrian Purcell-trained mare should strip fitter and has already won second-up during her previous preparation.
Drawn well in barrier three, she can get a handy run and be in the finish.
| 3. Southern Crescent (3) 60kg318×3 | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months made ground from midfield; 3rd of 11 in a Bm70 at Hamilton on October 10 over 1100m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind It’s A Yes with 58kg at $12. Previously second-up came from midfield and won by 1.3 len in a 0-56 at Stawell on January 4 over 1100m defeating Little Sandy carrying 58kg at $3.50. Fitter and worth consideration. | |||
SELITA’S FURY (5) made an excellent first-up impression at Echuca, finishing second over 1400m and beaten by a nose.
He got clear at the top of the straight and hit the line hard over the final 175m, making the rise to a mile look ideal.
The Michael Jones-trained gelding should also strip fitter second-up.
He maps to enjoy a great run on speed and can be hard to hold out.
| 5. Selita’s Fury (5) 58kg2 | |||
| Jumped at big odds at debut, raced on the pace when 2nd of 11 in a Mdn-Sw at Echuca on October 19 over 1400m, nose behind Caledonian Summer carrying 57kg at $31. Definite improver who shouldn’t mind the extra trip. | |||
| 1. Aftermath (8) 59kg55211 | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. Most recently favourite; won by 5 len in a Bm78 at Mortlake on October 31 over 2000m in soft going defeating Breathless Spirit with 60kg at $3.30. Before that favourite; won by 2.25 len in a Hcp at St Arnaud on October 24 over 2000m defeating Saveadateforme carrying 58.5kg at $2.35. Up in class but cannot be underestimated. | |||