In-form hoop Vlad Duric will be hoping to continue his impressive winning strike rate when he partners up with the Peter Snowden trained Spain in the last race at Werribee today.
Having ridden only 30 horses since the start of the 2012/13 season, Duric has impressively steered six horses to victory along with another six minor placings.
After flashing home from the tail to finish fourth when resuming at Geelong last start, the lightly raced son of Lonhro looks well placed to take out the King Cobra Signs Showcase 0 - 68 Handicap (1410m).
Although not renowned for fathering wet trackers, Spain should have no trouble getting through the testing heavy conditions having placed in three of four career starts in the wet.
Transferred down to Peter Snowden’s Melbourne base back in March, Snowden has elected to apply blinkers to the gelding for the first time, a bid which should see him switch on at the barriers.
With a hot – tempo ensured in today’s large field, Duric will look to settle back off the speed from the good draw and work home powerfully over the top of them.
A new addition to the powerful Mick Price stable, Dany The Fox, shapes as one of one of the main dangers, resuming in this off an unplaced finish in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Mooney Valley.
Breaking through for his maiden win when resuming last preparation, the son of Danroad should prove forward enough for this after finishing third in a recent barrier trial at Cranbourne.
After getting out to over 2000m last preparation, he’s one to keep track of, as he will only take improvement out of today’s run.
An open race with a number of chances leaves the door open for the David Hayes-trained Whisper Downs. After finishing fourth in Saturday company at Morphettville Parks last start he appears well placed racing back in this company.
With the blinkers on for the first time he should show sharp improvement, however the recent addition to the Hayes team, Chad Schofield, will have his work cut out for him after he drew the car park.
King Usain proved luckless when resuming at Traralgon last start and should relish the wet conditions on offer today and wouldn’t be surprised to see him fighting out the finish.
Good luck and happy punting.
