Resuming Mark Kavanagh talent Oltre Finito can remain unbeaten when he resumes in the Centrebet Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) at Bendigo this afternoon.
The four-year-old son of Ifraaj is another typical product from the Kavanagh yard, a lightly raced sprinter en who looks destined for much bigger things.
He did a little bit wrong in three runs during his debut campaign earlier this year, but proved versatile and left the writing on the wall that he was one for the future.
He produced a weight-adjusted Timeform figure of 77 winning at Ballarat on debut, improved that by seven pounds when leading all the way at Geelong next start and went to another level still on a slow track at Sandown before a break.
On that occasion he settled midfield and surged home to win despite laying out in the concluding stages, earning a weight-adjusted figure of 91.
The form around him has stood up well while he’s been in the paddock.
Rouen came out and won two starts after finishing almost five lengths back in second behind Oltre Finito at Geelong.
Then Digitalism, who ran second to Kavanagh’s speedster at Sandown, won an open mile race at Moonee Valley next start before finishing second to Spacecraft in a similar race next start.
Given his progressive profile, Oltre Finito simply looks too good for this lot if he’s come back in top order.
Stephen Baster takes the ride today and should have options from barrier five.
Frontrunner Esprit’s Choice has been scratched but there still looks to be a bit of pace in this with Laohu capable of ensuring there’s a solid tempo. But don’t be surprised if Baster decides to go to the front himself.
He could just as easily take a sit and come with a big run at the end.
I’m expecting a very strong first-up showing.
Anthony Freedman’s Union Gap is shaping as the biggest danger after never really getting his chance at Kyneton last start over 1200m.
He won a race at Cranbourne prior to that and broke his maiden at this track so expect him to be firing today.
That Cranbourne run netted a weight-adjusted figure of 92 which is potentially enough to beat Oltre Finito, although he doesn’t quite look as progressive as Kavanagh’s horse.
Still, he’s in reasonable enough form and can measure up strongly today.
Robbie Griffiths resumer Edgewood is worth considering after producing some pretty handy performances last campaign in tougher company than this.
But while his only win came over this trip, he still looks one better suited over further and he’s now out to 595 days without a win which is clearly a major concern.
