After proving too good in mid-week company last start the Chris Waller trained Loophole appears very well placed to make it back to back wins at Gosford this afternoon.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Lining up in the last race of the day the lightly raced son of Lonhro has continued to show good improvement this time in and appears set to relish the step up to the mile.
While his last start victory was his first from seven career starts he had been racing in good form and was simply unfortunate to have bumped into the likes of Field Marshall and the talented Proisir early on in his career.
More notably he is still open to further improvement leading into this event as his last start performance was still shy of his career peak Timeform figure of 85.
Although the Hawkes team trained Animoso does possess a higher career peak Timeform figure, Loophole is on an upward spiral and the strength of his performance last start can be emphasised by the strong time figures out of the event.
Having only just made his comeback to Australian racing last month Tim Clark looks well in line to continue his good association with the Chris Waller stable having already ridden at a strike rate of 25% for this season.
From the favourable draw expect Clark to roll forward on Loophole and settle him just off the speed with the David Vandyke trained Rivalled likely to take up the running.
Coming into this race off the back of a confidence boosting win expect Loophole to prove too good for them in the run home.
The Hawkes team trained Animoso is the clear danger in the race and will likely start favourite after his luckless second placing at Canterbury last start.
Having shown good ability in his short career to date he has unfortunately proved the punters' nightmare having failed as the well supported favourite on three prior occasions.
Also making the step up to the mile this afternoon, Animoso should be right at his peak racing third up and if able to overcome the poor draw he is expected to be right in the finish.
The Darren Smith trained Nissile and the David Vandyke trained Rivalled appear the next in line.
In a race which has been decimated by scratchings Loophole appears the obvious selection with likely favourite Animoso facing a tough task from the wide draw.
Good luck and happy punting.
