Consistent galloper Strato Mostro can break through for an overdue win in today's Thirsty Camel Bottleshops Handicap (race 7) on the all weather course at Geelong.
The Jason Warren trained gelding has been knocking on the door lately and gets the chance to record a win in this RB62 over 1300m.
Strato Mostro was runner up fresh then broke through second up over 1300m at Wangaratta when overcoming a poor start and running home well.
Since then he went to town and ran a solid fifth on the Hillside course at Sandown before returning to the provincials and running second over a mile at Cranbourne.
He was then tested over even more ground and sent south for the Listed Hobart Guineas, but there he settled near last from the wide gate, turned there and very wide before making late ground to finish seventh.
After a let up he returned to city racing over 1523m at Moonee Valley and after settling back again made good late ground into fifth, before again heading to the provincials.
Over a mile at Bendigo he was able to sit closer from a good draw and worked home steadily but couldn't match Queen's Fashion, finishing runner up.
He then tackled a mile at Wangaratta and with a big weight was near last before improving three wide and running on hard again, this time finishing third behind Pete's Show.
The gelding has been given another let up as he drops back to 1300m and looks well placed in this grade.
The claim helps offset the big weight, and he has run well at his only try at the course.
The gelding is overdue for another win and is very consistent, so with even luck in running today will be hard to hold out on the synthetic track.
The Anthony Freedman trained Comic Ruler was terrible on heavy ground last time and it's no surprise to see him show up on the all weather today.
The progressive gelding was sound on debut when fourth at Ballarat over 1000m then returned there over 1200m and showed good speed to sit second throughout.
He lifted strongly in the straight and held a determined win.
Next start was here in this grade over 1100m when resuming from a good spell.
He drew the outside gate and settled last but came with a sustained run to finish fourth – a good run for further.
But last start, tested on a heavy track over 1226m at Mornington, he had a big weight and wide gate and was midfield throughout but came under pressure a long way out and wouldn't stretch out in the soft conditions.
He turned in a shocker and was beaten almost 15 lengths.
Today he comes into this fresh and back on firmer footing.
He tackles the same grade but drops a kilo, and on his only other run here looks hard to hold out over the 1300m journey.
The rest of the field have very moderate form.
Mycuppatea rates next best but has been struggling to find his best form.
He has had plenty of tries on the track and is a winner on it at the trip and today has a nice weight and draw.
Charltonian had no luck here last time but is back a grade and can do much better.
Curraghmore was fourth here last time in a good run but rises in grade and place looks best.
