Lightly-raced galloper Neona gets the chance to return to winning form in today's OAMPS Insurance Handicap (race 6) at Wangaratta.
The RB72 handicap over 1400m looks the ideal opportunity for the Mick Price-trained gelding to break through for an overdue win after some good effort this campaign.
Neona was a debut winner as a juvenile, scoring over 900m at Bendigo.
He then raced over 1200m at Echuca and after settling second and racing there throughout he battled away to finish runner-up, beaten 1.5 lengths before heading for a break.
Resuming on the all weather track at Geelong in Class 1 company as a three-year-old, he drew a wide gate and was forced to drift back to worse than midfield.
From there though he ran on strongly to finish fourth.
Up to 1200m at Betfair Park Lakeside he faced his toughest assignment to date and again drew wide.
This time though jockey Damien Oliver pressed forward.
He settled second early and eventually found the front on then bend but was always going to find it tough from there, left a sitting shot for the rest.
He fought on well in the straight, though, holding fourth behind The Kitkat Kid.
Last start, in a showcase race over 1300m at Bendigo, he once again drew wide and raced just off the speed, this tine turning third and working home strongly to finish runner-up, beaten only a nose by Privately.
That has since worked out a good form race with the third placed Sparks Alight since winning with ease.
Today Neona finally gets a good gate and from barrier four should be able to box seat throughout.
He meets a slightly tougher grade but drops in weight, is suited at the trip and is clearly the one to beat.
Well travelled galloper Diamondcowboy rates highly on his recent form and should go close.
The entire hit the line well in the Starlight Stakes in Sydney four back to finish fifth then was outclassed behind Sincero in the Group 3 Tramway Stakes before returning to Victoria.
He was freshened before dropping back to 1200m at Mornington where he struck a heavy track and worked home steadily to finish fourth behind Doubtful Jack, who takes on Black Caviar tomorrow at Moonee Valley.
Diamondcowboy stepped up to 1400m again at Echuca last start and after settling sixth in the run worked home well for a close-up fifth.
He meets the same grade here, carries the same weight and has drawn well.
Although yet to win beyond 1000m his recent form is good form this and he looks a top each-way chance.
Very Suave is fitter for one run back and also looks an each-way hope.
The gelding resumed from a long spell over 1200m at Murtoa where he settled midfield but worked home strongly to finish third.
He will be much fitter for the run, has placed at both tries at the trip and has drawn for a good run.
