Securing a key barrier draw has Flying Ellie ready to go two-from-two in the Group Three Caduceus Club Of Southland & Alabar Fillies Classic at Ascot Park today.
The Nathan Williamson trained filly goes into the 2200m feature after beating all of her rivals in a lead up event at Winton last week.
Her biggest challengers already faced a big ask to turn the tables on her, but when Flying Ellie drew inside Always Ticking and Major Envy it got even harder for them.
While Williamson thinks highly of both Flying Ellie and Major Envy, who he also trains, the trainer admitted last week’s winner deserves top billing.
“You would have to say that based on the draws that Flying Ellie looks best placed,” Williamson said.
“As I have stressed before. there is not a lot between her and Major Envy.”
“You never know what might happen, it is a horse race after all.”
“Small fields and different scenarios can happen and it will be the one with that most economical trip that does best.”
“But as Flying Ellie sat parked and won last week, she’s in a position to go forward and there wouldn’t be many there she would hand up to.”
“All the cards are in her favour at this stage.”
Williamson starts three runners in race 1 at today’s Northern Southland meeting in Bill Bootit, Gus and Del’s Creation.
The trainer has shared his thoughts on who he thinks is best placed and it is clearly Gus.
“Del’s Creation is fairly solid, I expected her to be solid in her first start but she was much better on the second day at Cromwell.”
“Bill Bootit will be a nice horse with a bit more time on him.”
“Gus is pretty smart, we have been pretty patient with him.”
“He was coming up with Hidden Talent last year but he had a hoof abscess and we put him out.”
“We own him ourselves so we have been able to be patient with him.”
“I expect him to be awfully hard to beat.”
Junior driver Tristan Larsen is set to put his tactical nous to the test in today’s feature trot.
The reinsman combines with Peregrine who returns following an excellent run of spring and summer form in strong company.
With a field of six runners and a mixture of handicaps the race is set to be a very tactical affair.
Larsen is hopeful the smaller field size can play into his mare’s hands.
“She is a really nice mare and it’s great to be able to get back on her,” Larsen said.
“She had a trial last weekend and it looked pretty good, so she looks forward enough to go a good race.”
“The handicap (35m) won’t be easy but she is a class mare and she begins fast which should be a big help.”
“Plus the small field should help her too.”
Larsen combines with a strong book of drives today with Atarah looking a big winning threat.
The Northern Southland Trotting Club has delivered a comprehensive betting plan for their big meeting at Ascot Park today :
Race 1 :
Think trotters, think Williamson in the first race today, but the question is which on of Nathan’s three runners to choose.
Gus looks the most talented of his trio and rates the top pick following an impressive trial last weekend.
Despite galloping in her debut, Del’s Creation looks a reasonably reliable type and she has eachway claims.
As does the third Williamson runner in Bill Bootit, who has been a handy triallist.
Insist The Win trialled nicely behind Gus last weekend and looks a top 4 player while Kyle Loch rates next best.
Selections: Gus (4), Del’s Creation (5), Bill Bootit (2), Insist The Win (7)
Suggested Bet: Gus – Win
Race 2 :
Race 2 shapes as a potential match race between Northview Dance and Major Thomas.
Northview Dance is drawn to lead, at least early in the race, which effectively gives him a head-start on Major Thomas.
The question is whether Major Thomas can come from behind his main riva,l after starting from the unruly, and beat him.
Anyone who saw his workout last weekend is likely to say yes, as he swept home wide to win.
Either of these horses look a solid play.
Call Me Sir has been very consistent recently, that looks set to continue and he can win with the right run.
Hillary moves into a key draw after fair efforts, she should be fitter now and she could finish into a placing or Trifecta/First4 spot.
Selections: Major Thomas (10), Northview Dance (3), Call Me Sir (5), Hillary (1)
Suggested Bet: Northview Dance – Eachway
Race 3 :
Punters can expect yet another very honest and consistent performance from Dwindle Star in race 3.
The mare continues to front up and run great races and this looks a really winnable event for her and easier than some of her recent assignments.
The same can be said for Ruby Seddon who has got herself right back into form lately, she’s a strong winning hope.
John’s Boy’s formline says it all, he a big eachway chance and must go in Trifectas and First4s.
See It Thru comes in fresh to conditions he should suit, so he should be considered with Andover The Keys rating next best.
Selections: Dwindle Star (4), Ruby Seddon (8),Johns Boy (2), See It Thru (3)
Suggested Bet: Dwindle Star – Eachway
Race 4 :
Atarah and Henry Maguire went head-to-head at Winton last week and given both horses stay in the same grade a repeat of their quinella looks on the cards.
Atarah was outstanding in winning and got a penalty free victory in the process meaning she’s very well placed today.
Henry Maguire looks perfectly poised to go another great race from barrier 1.
Fireforefiddle is a horse who is always competitive in this grade and he could offer a bit of place or eachway value.
Jabali doesn’t win out of turn but he’s one to consider in Trifectas and First4s with Emerald Abbey next best.
Selections: Atarah (4), Henry Maguire (1), Fireforefiddle (11), Jabali (2)
Suggested Bet: Atarah – Win
Race 5 :
Onwardsandupwards rates top pick in what is an open maiden mares race where several main players have landed interesting draws.
Onwardsandupwards hasn’t drawn perfectly herself, but she has a key advantage over her main rival, starting inside Seabreeze Solitaire.
Seabreeze Solitaire is closing in on a win and can get it despite drawing a tough alley in barrier 8.
Platinum Jive was very unlucky in her debut at Winton last week, going to the line with more to offer.
She could offer some value.
Securing barrier 1 looks a big plus for Vanessa Marie who has produced some handy trials ahead of her debut.
Selections: Onwardsandupwards (6), Seabreeze Solitaire (8), Platinum Jive (4), Vanessa Marie (1)
Suggested Bet: Onwardsandupwards – Eachway
Race 6 :
A small field won’t make the task of finding the winner of race 6 any easier.
The handicaps for this race have set up an a very intriguing affair and how fast each horse begins and where they settle will be crucial.
I have gone for reliability in Peregrine who has raced brilliantly consistently recently in much tougher fields.
The Bloss is another very reliable type, known to be able to make a fast beginning which could be telling.
Wai Key Wee can mix his form at times, but when he’s good he’s really good and he must be considered.
Imperial Man produced a great lower class win at Winton last week and he can make an impact if he trots again.
In a very even line up, even the remaining two runners Dont Ask and Princess Jessica have some Trifecta & First 4 claims.
Selections: Peregrine (5), The Bloss (4), Imperial Man (3), Wai Key Wee (6)
Suggested Bet: Peregrine – Win
Race 7 :
This is a red-hot maiden field with a number of genuine winning chances.
Whatablaze has drawn the best of the bigger hopes, landing in barrier 4 following a good debut second.
Wag Star and Repetitive will both win maiden races at very short notice, they went head-to-head in a trial last weekend.
Wag Star won but Repetitive was just as good as him in running second, they both serious winning threats.
Shuffle Up has also trialled nicely ahead of his debut and he looks a top 4 player.
Tuneinsportsfans is well up to competing her but he must overcome giving smart horses a head-start from the unruly
Selections: Whatablaze (4), Wag Star (7), Repetitive (8), Shuffle Up (2)
Suggested Bet: Whatablaze – Eachway
Race 8 :
Each of the fillies in today’s feature raced each other last week, so even someone who went to Riversdale Primary School should be able to figure this one out.
Flying Ellie worked harder than her main rivals and beat them fairly and squarely at Winton and this week she’s drawn inside both of them.
They are Major Envy and Always Ticking who filled the placings in the Winton race.
They’re both quality fillies and can win, but they rate behind Flying Ellie.
Logic says fourth placegetter from last week Raknruin is fourth pick.
Miki’s Beauty went a creditable race at Winton so shouldn’t be ruled out of Trifectas & First4s.
Selections: Flying Ellie (4), Major Envy (6), Always Ticking (5), Miki’s Beauty (2)
Suggested Bet: Flying Ellie – Win
Race 9 :
Miki Knows brings the best form and he’s the horse to beat, but he will have to be good to overcome barrier 8.
On his class and his recent performances there is a strong case to say he can do exactly that.
Sophie finds herself in the opposite circumstances, drawing 1 on the back of a very good fourth.
She could take plenty of catching.
He’s A Meister comes in fresh following an outstanding performance on this track, he’s in the mix.
As is Mr Cash Man who has been a reliable type throughout his career.
The Orange Roughy and follows out Sophie at the start, so give him some consideration.
Jimmyray rates next best.
Selections: Miki Knows (8), Sophie (1), He’s A Meister (11), Mr Cash Man (4)
Suggested Bet: Miki Knows & Sophie – Quinella
Race 10 :
Another very even betting line up which could be decided by a mix of standing start manners and handicaps.
Robyns Playboy can make an absolute flyer, which could see him settle in front of his key rivals despite starting from the back mark.
Got You Covered shares the back mark and he’s another classy animal that must be considered.
Joe’s Rock is a good mare who recently ran third in Group One company, but she’s an unknown from the starting tapes.
She looks like a sensible type and the smaller field should assist in her quest to get away.
Wheels Of Fortune beat home Got You Covered in their last starts and he looks well placed from the 10m mark.
Selections: Joes Rock (3), Wheels Of Fortune (4), Robyns Playboy (5), Got You Covered (6)
Suggested Bet: Joes Rock – Eachway
Race 11 :
Similar to another couple of races, the best horse has the worst draw with Beach Day copping barrier 14.
It won’t be easy for her from there, but she has some real class about her and she certainly can win.
Rightazz has been very consistent lately and though he’s also copped a tricky draw, he is an eachway player.
Beautiful Noise is yet another drawn on the second row, but with no fears in this kind of company she’s an eachway chance.
Magic Sign has a sweet draw in barrier 1, he can run a bit hot and cold but if he’s on he can be right in this.
Wattlebank Arnie must be considered too, he’s talented enough to make a good impact here.
Selections: Beach Day (14), Rightazz (12), Beautiful Noise (10), Magic Sign (1)
Suggested Bet: Beach Day – Eachway
