Local galloper Extra Exceleration can overcome a wide gate to win today's Iluka Bowls Club Iluka Cup (race 7) at Grafton.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Prepared on the course by Graeme Want, Extra Exceleration is a lightly-raced galloper fitter for one run back from a spell and looks hard to beat in this Benchmark 60 over the 1200m journey.
Last campaign he was a fresh-up winner before trying to lead throughout here in a Class 2 race before being run down in the final stride.
He then raced here again in a Class 3 on a heavy (10) track, and again took up the running and led throughout, this time kicking strongly to score a 1.3 length win in a good form race.
Next start was at Casino in the same grade where he had a big weight even after the claim.
He raced on the speed but so did plenty of others, turning second but fading in the run home after a tough run to finish fifth.
Returning home for a 1200m race in this class, he bombed the start when rearing in the gates and missed it hopelessly.
He trailed the field and came in a long last before being ordered to trial for stewards, which he did but went for a spell.
Fresh-up, over 1000m in a Class 3 at Ballina, he drew the inside gate and after settling third battled on strongly, finishing a 1.3 length third behind Built Tough.
The gelding will have come on from that and looks well placed today in a Benchmark 60 and over the extra ground.
The claim offset the weight to the tune of 2kg and he has good pace to be able to slide up to just off or up outside the lead.
He has a good record at home and should give a big sight.
Another local trainer John Shelton has a good hand in the race in Darsahn Joh and Ibalance.
Darshan Joh has had excuses at his last couple, the latest where he drew wide and covered ground over 807m at Coffs Harbour.
Four starts ago he was heavily backed here and led throughout to score a big win, claiming his seventh career race on the course in the process.
He is unbeaten at the track and distance and with the claim and a good gate will take running down.
Stablemate Ibalance will be off the early hustle and bustle but will be getting home hard.
The gelding was runner-up here two back in this grade, coming from last in the big field to finish a length from the winner.
He then raced in a Benchmark 70 at Ballina and after racing third didn't finish it off over 1300m in the straight, fading to fourth.
From a good gate today and with more pace on he'll likely to be ridden off the speed.
He has a good record here and at the journey and with just 56kg after the claim will be running on hard.
Blinkin Swift looks the other main hope on his effortless win two back at Mudgee.
Last start he carried a big weight over 1300m at Dubbo and battled away to finish sixth.
Today he drops in the weights in the tougher grade and should be close to the speed from a good gate.
