Budding stayers Cry In Awe and Taxi Joe looks to have today's Wellington Regional Tourism Handicap (race 7) at Sale between them.
Cry In Awe, prepared by Robbie Griffiths, and the Jim Conlon trained Taxi Joe, are both last start winners over a bit of ground and the pair are expected to relish today's 2200m race.
Taxi Joe, a son of Zabeel, won his maiden over 1980 last campaign when running on strongly before tackling the Listed Galilee Final over 2406m at Caulfield. After settling closer he was gone a long way out and must have been amiss as he dropped out for a 24 length defeat and immediately went for a break.
After a good spell he resumed over 1600m in a Class 1 at Echuca and drifted well back but came with a big finish when runner up behind Con Act.
He then stepped up to 2025m at Cranbourne where he had a big weight and wide gate. Getting well back in the run he stormed home to score a two length win in what has already shaped as a good form race.
Today he rises in grade but drops slightly in weight on the win and has drawn well.
The extra ground suits and he can only be fitter again.
Cry In Awe stepped up to a mile four starts back and put the writing on the wall with a fast finishing second in heavy ground at Ballarat.
He then went to 2000m on the all weather at Geelong.
There he settled last but kicked into gear and street his rivals, winding up strongly and running away with a five length win.
Griffiths gave him a let up following that run before he returned over a mile in the showcase race in this grade at Ballarat, getting back from a wide gate before running on into fifth.
He then went to 1700m at Warrnambool and after again getting back wound up strongly and kept going, running away with another big win, this time by 5.5 lengths.
Fitter now for the two runs from a let up he looks suited at the longer journey and carries the same weight.
He has drawn well for winning rider Ryan Maloney and looks a top chance again.
Island Home is prepared by Kasey Keys at Cranbourne but has a real liking for Sale with two wins and two minors from four starts.
The gelding was a last start winner here at the 200m journey in an RB62, settling just off the pace and running on for a narrow win.
He meets a tougher line-up today but is proven at the trakc and distance and drops a half kilo.
He has drawn well and will be on the speed throughout so should give a big sight.
Rack It Up is fitter for three runs from a spell and looks ready to win on his solid third over 1850m in this grade last time.
He is a winner at the track and distance and has Oaks winning rider Danny Nikolic aboard.
