Selections:
#1 - Calvi (NEXT BEST) - $5.00
#3 - Made Of Gold - $5.00
#5 - Pearlman - $18.00
#4 - Ned And Power - $13.00
BEST BET - #1 - Calvi (NEXT BEST)
This looks a solid contest but I think there are two standouts amongst them and Calvi looks like if he can find his best here he will be hard to beat. He was four weeks between runs when stepping out over the 2200m at Bairnsdale two back where I’m not sure he beat much but the way he did it was very impressive before racing last time out at Bendigo over the 2400m where he did things tough out wide and wasn’t able to finish strongly but that will hold him in very good steed now staying at this distance, hard fit and back to the course he loves racing at.
THE DANGER - #3 - Made Of Gold
Provincial staying races and Maher and Eustace are always a lethal combination and I think Made of Gold is no exception. He had been putting together a bunch of sharp placings, often only bumping into one better before racing two back over this distance at Bendigo where he throttled a weak field by five lengths before pulling up lame at the same distance last time out so obviously has to be forgiven for that. If he isn’t scratched come race day that means he has recovered and will be sure to put in a bold showing again.
VALUE BET - #5 - Pearlman
Pearlman should be ready for this trip now for the Macdonald stable third up and can speck at a big price here. He resumed at this course over the 1720m about two months ago now where he was very impressive for a first up effort, powering home in a big field from deep in the run to finish second before stepping out to the 2050m at Murtoa where he just didn’t look fully up to the distance when fading late. He will be hard fit now third up and ready for the 2400m and I think with an economical run in transit he can have a big enough kick to win this in the straight.