Thubiaan has produced some good form in recent times and will be hard to beat when stepping out in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) at Warrnambool today.
The Eric Musgrove-trained runner was too good in the Von Doussa two back before a solid showing on the flat at Pakenham last start in preparation for this.
Thubiaan has a very good record over the obstacles and tends to run well at Warrnambool, yet to miss the placings from two previous outings.
Winning jockey Martin Kelly goes back on board and despite coming up against a relatively competitive field, Thubiaan shapes up as the one they have to beat.
His effort in the Von Doussa rates well on weight adjusted ratings and if he can run up to that effort once again he will be too good for these.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Valediction has finished runner up in his last three outings, the most recent coming in a steeple over 3200m at Ballarat.
Ran well at this C/D two back which bodes well for this and he generally runs very well at Warrnambool.
Recent form measures up pretty well in this company and he has shown enough to suggest he will be very competitive against these.
King Triton also comes into consideration and it’s hard to rule out anything leading jumps jockey Steven Pateman is riding.
Lost the rider at Ballarat last start which is of concern, having done the same thing three runs back at Oakbank.
Outside of that form has been fairly consistent over the obstacles and if he gets around safely he is sure to be somewhere in the finish.
Proven over the distance and with Steven Pateman riding for the first time he cannot be discounted.
Regina Coeli has been racing well of late, winning her last two over the steeples.
Won by 10L at Bendigo two back before holding on for a narrow win over Valediction at Ballarat last time out.
Recent form rates well against these and she has a fairly consistent record at Warrnambool.
Worth including among the chances here with Jervois who finished third behind Thubiaan at Oakbank last start.
