Noisy Ocean can make a boisterous statement at Doomben this afternoon where he looks well placed to snap a lengthy winless run.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The Bryan Guy-trained son of Shovhog hasn't won since January last year as a juvenile, but looks to get his chance today dropping well back in grade and stepping up to the 10 furlongs for the first time.
He'll jump from barrier eight in the Good Guys Class 3 Plate (2030m) after spending most campaign navigating the challenging Queensland winter behind horses like Group 3 winners Mental and Trump.
His last two runs in Saturday metropolitan grade have netted midfield finishes, while three starts back he was beaten a nose in similar to what he finds today at this track over 1650m. That run netted a Timeform rating of 90 which easily outpoints his nearest rivals in today's contest.
Noisy Ocean carried 57.5kg on that occasion, and today he drops to just 54.5kg with Kirk Matheson's relieving claim – a very manageable load for a gelding dropping back to mid-week grade from a preparation spent mostly in Group company.
He usually gets well back in his races and surges home, and over the extra trip today in a race with a bit of speed, he can let right down and make an overdue return to the winner's stall where he last stood 558 days ago.
It's not quite a lay-down misere for the four-year-old.
Without Reproach looms as a worthy challenger after finishing a narrow second in Class 3 grade at Caloundra 10 days back.
That run was over 2200m and netted a Timeform rating of 81. It continued the five-year-old stayer's inconsistent recent run of form but showed he can run out the trip, and he also benefits from a claiming apprentice. The in-form Anthony Allen knock's Without Reproach down to 56kg which should keep him in this for a very long time.
He's a front-running type, and could prove very difficult to reel in.
River Perfume is another of these who'll appreciate the drop in grade after a pair of well-held runs in Saturday company.
Two runs back she finished fourth at Eagle Farm beaten just four lengths in Class 6 company producing a Timeform rating of 78.
She grabbed a rare win four starts back at Ipswich in Class 3 grade and has placed over this trip. With the blinkers going back on today, she is more than capable of charging into the finish.
Of the rest, Triumphant One looks most capable of challenging the top handful.
He's a four-year-old entire who has placed in his last two in Class 3 grade at Caloundra, leading for most the trip in both starts.
He doesn't benefit from a claiming apprentice like a few of these but can run out the trip and should be in this until the finish.
