David Hayes unleashed a 1000 Guineas prospect nice and early in the season with Gregers last week and in Great Esteem he might just have a colt to match stepping out at Flemington this weekend.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Great Esteem, like his stablemate Gregers, was seen twice last season and made a big impression in both runs.
He closed strongly in the Talindert over an unsuitable 1100m and then really caught the eye late in the VRC Sires over effectively today’s C&D.
This looks an ideal race for him and while he is sure to take benefit from the run he has a good class edge on these and appeals as a good bet at better than $3.00.
Following on the “Hayes is back in town” theme, imported galloper Wrotham Heath makes his Australian debut in race 6 and looks a most interesting runner.
1410m looks sure to prove short of his best trip but his best form in the UK has him very well placed in this company and again class can see him more than competitive.
Form around the likes of Ektihaam and Grandeur has since been made to look rather warm with both of that pair going on to better things and Wrotham Heath remains lightly raced with his best days potentially still in front of him.
He’s a solid each way play at around the $13-15 mark.
The lay of the day comes in race 8 where Midnight Glory is out to follow up his latest success in a similar sort of line up.
That was a drought-breaking win for Midnight Glory and two in a row looks some ask now, particularly with the more lightly raced runner up St Mark weighted to turn the tables.
2000m has been some sort of query with him in the past as well adding to the task ahead of him which looks greater than his current price suggests.
THE MELBOURNE MAIL:
Banker: Race 2 #2 Great Esteem @ $3.00
Play Of The Day: Race 6 #17 Wrotham Heath @ $13.00
Lay Of The Day: Race 8 #4 Midnight Glory @ $3.50
