Honest galloper Italian Machine looks hard to hold out down in the weights in today's Vic Hotel Handicap (race 6) at Warrnambool.
The race, a 1400m RB89, is a step up in class for Italian Machine but he's going well and with the minimum weight should take beating.
Prepared on the course by Mathew Williams, Italian Machine had a good campaign last time in with two wins and a host of solid runs up to 2100m including racing in town.
His last run before a break was at Sandown Lakeside and after a poor start and getting back to last and turning there he made good ground into sixth.
Resuming over 1200m here he turned in a top effort over the short trip and ran on strongly after being held up for a run, finishing a nose runner up behind Magnifique Soleil and unlucky not to have claimed a fresh up win.
To 1400m last time at Ballarat, he struck a heavy track and much of his opposition scratched and saved for another day.
Italian Machine sat third in the run and then was eased widest before cruising away with a two length win.
He is fitter again and although facing a tough assignment here drops to 54kg after carrying 60kg to success last time.
The gelding meets Magnifique Soleil better at the weights form the last time they met and on home course will be hard to hold out with the minimum weight.
Magnifique Soleil also looks well placed here and should prove the hardest to beat again.
The Darren Weir trained gelding resumed this campaign over 1200m here and after getting back ran on hard to just hold off Italian Machine.
He then franked the form again next time when over 1350m at Donald, sitting fourth throughout before winding up and scoring a three-quarter length win.
Last start, heading to town for a 1500m race at Sandown Hillside, he settled midfield on the inside before saving ground there to third turning before being swamped out wide, finishing sixth.
He drops in weight for today's race and has drawn for a goof run in barrier one.
Leading rider Dean Yendall is aboard and he should be hard to hold out in the straight.
Full Peal is fitter for one run form a spell and is much better placed here.
Another local, the gelding strung together five wins on end last campaign, up to 2000m at Flemington, before finishing fifth in the Group 3 Summer Cup at Rosehill.
He resumed in town in strong grade and was always well back over the unsuitable 1200m journey behind Amaethon.
He started his winning run second up last campaign so should be much improved here as he is fitter, back at home, is over a longer journey and drops sharply in grade.
It all points to a much improved run.
Abitofado is likely to need this run but is well placed here class wise.
He is suited with the claim can run into the finish at odds fresh.
