Morning Captain resumed in excellent order at Doomben two weeks ago and will be very hard to beat back to Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Kelly Doughty-trained five-year-old was only a head off the talented Rocket To Glory first-up, chasing hard the entire straight to miss by a head.
He’s fitter now, and back to his favourite track where he’s a three-time winner. And he’s bumping into a very beatable looking field as he looks to kick-start his spring campaign.
Second-up last campaign he ran fourth in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m), behind classy pair Belltone and Mahisara.
Things look a bit easier for him today.
Qfighter is the obvious danger after winning two of his last three, and the form around him should get a good push tonight when Black Cash goes around at Moonee Valley.
He’s the most progressive galloper in this field, and was impressive at Doomben two weeks ago pulling away late over this trip to grab a win in Class 6 grade.
But he’s on the minimum again today and stepping up a peg or two in grade.
At the other end of his career is Ollie Vollie who must be respected despite his $10 TAB quote.
He won at Port Macquarie last start – his 18th trip to the winner’s stall – and is close to career-best form which is quite a feat given he’s an 11-year-old.
His problem may just be that he hasn’t put together two-straight wins for more than three years now.
Morning Captain currently looks a juicy play at $3.20.
The best bet this weekend comes in race seven which as thrown up another cracking three-year-old contest.
Londehero and Queen Of The Lochs square off again for the third time in a month, with Queen Of The Lochs looking to turn the tables after being shaded by a nose on both occasions by Londehero.
But Bodega Negra has been thrown into the mix today and looks capable of spoiling the party.
He’s an interesting horse with a low head carriage who returned to form with a strong win at Doomben two weeks ago.
Prior to that he finished sixth of six in the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill but was a little outclassed and unsurprisingly given Eurozone and Criterion were duelling at the finish.
Before going down to Sydney he should’ve won at Doomben but laid in late on and was beaten a head.
That came after an open-three-year-old win over 1350m at Doomben.
The thing that most impresses me about Bodega Negra is his turn of foot, and his ability to change gears quickly might just prove a bit slick for this lot.
Queen Of The Lochs is better weighted today but she’s up to the fifth start of her maiden campaign and may just be starting to feel the pinch.
Londehero meanwhile has obviously come back in good order winning both starts this campaign but he looks to have almost found his level and carrying 59kg today will test him.
At $13, Bodega Negra looks an each-way bet to nothing. The biggest danger might just be his wide barrier.
The race prior is the toughest of the program and it looks like the way to play this one is by taking on the favourite Arctic.
He’s come up as the $4 favourite despite having not won in more than 10 months now, and he bumps into an erratic lot, half a dozen of which look capable of winning this.
Tail And All was a moral beaten here two back over the trip then disappointed slightly at Doomben. Don’t be surprised to see him bounce back.
What About Me is another one who disappointed last start after a strong run at Eagle Farm two back.
I’d expect him to bounce back today now he’s up to the mile.
Primary Colour, Rock Home Late and Slim Henry are all last-start winners while Arctic has had his chances this time in without taking them.
Go around him at the $4.
BANKER: Race 5 #3 Morning Captain @ $3.20
PLAY OF THE DAY: Race 7 #2 Bodega Negra @13
LAY OF THE DAY: Race 6 #10 Arctic @ $4
