The Matthew Dale-trained Notjustaprettyface will head to Orange today full of confidence after a last start win at Canberra, and will line up in the Cumulus Wines Benchmark 60 Handicap (2100m).
Photo by Racing and Sports
The five-year-old mare is up in the weights but with the 2kg claim will be required to carry 58kg which brings her right into this with apprentice jockey Lester Grace riding in very good form of late.
Notjustaprettyface steps up to the 2100m for this where untried but is slightly back in class and has some pretty handy from this preparation which includes a win and four placings from six starts.
She has drawn well again in barrier 3 and Fullerton who she beat last start has since gone on to run a good second in the Queanbeyan Cup yesterday.
Her last two runs over 2000m suggest the extra 100m here will not be an issue and she looks well placed here to make it back to back wins.
The main danger appears to be the very lightly races Kincem’s Honour from the Brett Thompson stable who has won two of her five career starts and is only required to carry 54.5kg today.
Her last start win came at this track over 1600m but she finds herself up in class and trip here where untried. Hannah Martin who has a good record on the mare maintains the ride and she will be in this for a long way.
National Day also rates a mention in this after scoring a very impressive 3.8L win at this course and distance last start in a benchmark 55. The seven-year-old is only required to carry 54kg and proven over the trip looms as a danger.
There appears a handful of each way chances lining up which included Sparton who has not been too far away of late. He has not won a race in while but best form will see him in the mix.
Rein Leica Dane has also been thereabouts over this sort of trip of late and although slightly up in class looks the each way chance after running second at this course and distance last start.
