FEATURE RACE PREVIEW: BERNBOROUGH PLATE

DOOMBEN | 26 DECEMBER

Rail Position +0.5 Entire | Track Condition Soft 5

The rail moves into the 0.5m from the 7m mark at the previous meeting, where the rail was hot and the place to be. The previous meeting the Rail was at 2m and the fence was worse than the rest of the track. The rail could be questionable if the rain comes, so look for them to run on down the middle. If no rain, then on pace will be ok.

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BERNBOROUGH PLATE – RACE 7

SPEED MAP

Speed: Average – 11. Adelase may press forward here and get the right run in front, with the tempo dropping off after the early dash. 9. Cracker Essgee will go forward then take a sit. 1. Niccanova will also slide forward but be happy to restrain after finding his on pace spot.

Advantaged runners: 1-2-4-11.

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FINAL FIELD

1. Niccanova
He had the perfect run last start and the pace did suit him. Not sure about the form to come out of that race so just a chance.

2. Ballistic Boy
Second-up here. Got back in a slow run race last time and hit the line ok – gets a nice run here.

3. Reloaded
36 days off here. Back onto a dry track possibly so can improve a lot. Watch to see if the rain comes?

4. The Harrovian
Up in distance here but fitter for the run. He blew in the market like we thought last time, but that run will greatly improve him – gets a nice run here.

5. Ligulate
Poor race recovery last time. Probably coming to the end of his preparation – looking elsewhere.

6. Phaistos
Back in distance here. He will prefer more speed up front than what there is here, so look elsewhere.

7. Kubrick
Flying before last start then found a very sticky track at Doomben, so couldn’t use his normal turn of foot. Should improve here but don’t want any rain to dull his finish.

8. Wheelhouse
36 days off. Gelded this prep and 1st time on a dry track, so could be a big improver 4th up here – chance.

9. Cracker Essgee
Jumped well last time then restrained when 1st up. He is up in distance here so expect him to be more positive out of the gates, but will need to improve to test these.

10. Charmmebaby
Wide gate forced her to go back last time and that might be the case again here. Looks to have the task ahead of her because of this reason.

11. Adelase
2nd up here. She will probably push forward here and may even find the front. I think she will need the run at this distance and leap in ratings to feature here.

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SELECTIONS

1st – (4) The Harrovian

2nd – (8) Wheelhouse

3rd – (3) Reloaded

4th – (1) Niccanova

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SUMMARY

I’m looking to be on The Harrovian here. He definitely was a run short last time, so should improve a lot here and the way the track should play will help him.

Niccanova has had a few chances of late but will get into a nice spot. Wheelhouse could be the improver going onto a drier track, but the price is about right at the $5.5. The other Waller pair in Kubrick and Reloaded both have chances if the track stays dry.

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BETTING STRATEGY

BACK (WIN) — The Harrovian at $4.60+ for 0.5 units

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