Under The Louvre did the business for us last time and there doesn't look a whole lot more on his plate this Saturday at the Valley.
Under The Louvre didn’t have to build on his good Creswick effort to turn the tables on Hard Stride (perhaps unlucky having missed the kick) last time and a repeat of that level of form will again see him take all the beating in race three today.
The one capable of toppling him is the resuming Trust In A Gust who was terrific throughout last prep and his consistency leads to thinking that he will be somewhere around his mark again today.
We thought Solsay was entitled to win first-up when the fave flopped and the race chopped up but he returned a figure well short of his best to be beaten by a 40-1 shot and he will need to be right around his best to pose a threat to the two younger rivals here.
He, along with the solid but no better than that, Laohu, set up the market well enough that we can bet the pair.
In race five the return of the improving Girl Guide is interesting as she has the profile of one capable of going on to figure in better races this spring but at the early odds it may be worth having an each way ticket with the name Jacinta on it.
She’s been solid without the best of luck in a couple of similar races up in Sydney this time in and has a couple of pieces of form in the book that would leave her a strong winning hope here.
Add to that the stable has a good record south of the Murray, returning a profit on turnover of +16.5% in Melbourne.
Last week Jabali was well supported in the betting but ran most disappointingly for us, and seemingly without excuse.
Hard to know what to make of that run going forward but needless to say he will have plenty to prove when he steps out next time.
THE MELBOURNE MAIL:
Bet Of The Day: Race 3 #5 @ $3.50 and #9 @ $4.20
Each Way Play: Race 5 #9 @ $8.50