THE Coleraine Racing Club’s iconic Great Western Steeplechase has attracted a very strong field tomorrow.
First run in 1858, Australia’s oldest ongoing jumps race has a field befitting its status.
At the top of the weights is this year’s Thackeray Steeplechase winner, Mighty Oasis, just ahead of Castrofrancaru and Roland Garros.
Separating the trio is difficult with all three having clashed at different times across the past two seasons.
The most recent guide to finding the winner is the Two Rivers Steeplechase won by the King Of Casterton in Elvison.
Just behind him were placegetters Roland Garros and Mighty Oasis.
With less than two lengths between the pair and no weight variance from the race, very little will separate the pair again.
Roland Garros is undefeated at Coleraine winning a maiden hurdle in 2021, followed by a steeplechase victory last year.
From a selection guide, that could give him the edge over Mighty Oasis who has a second placing from two starts on the track.
Castrofrancaru has good form at the track plus a significant win over one rival this season.
A big maiden winner here over the hurdles last year, it’s his seven-length steeplechase victory over Roland Garros at Hamilton that stands out.
The only concern I have is he has only had two flat runs since June, unlike his main rivals.
With all form thrown in the mix, I have landed on the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Roland Garros to be ridden by Willie McCarthy.
If the top three race below expectation, the quartet immediately below them in the form guide look up and coming jumpers with nice weight relief.
The Adam Lindsay Gordon BM120 Coleraine Hurdle looks a lovely race for Heir To The Throne to return to winning form.
His three hurdle starts this season have been below par, although at his last jumps start he was only beaten two lengths behind The Rattlin’ Bog at Pakenham.
Trainer Andrea Lee followed that up with a flat run at Pakenham to top him off for this race.
The three horses at the bottom of the weights, Sky Hero, Field Of Lights and That’s Incranibull will be the hardest to beat.
While the day revolves around five jumps races, the end of the meeting looks to have three nice flat race bets.
The Kelvin Bourke trained Alassak made it back-to-back Casterton wins last Saturday and along with stablemate Masina look a strong quinella combination in the 0-58 1400m Highweight.
Zed Leppelin looks the best bet on the program after a strong last start Swan Hill win, the 0-58 Highweight over 2250m looking to be at his mercy.
Finally, Bomber’s Kiss looks a strong chance in the mile 0-58 Highweight for Hamilton trainers Matt & Louise Cooper.
Two recent seconds at Casterton sees the gelding with his hoof right on the till.
Good punting.
Morg’s selections
Race 1:
Cadre Du Noir
Platinum Spirit
Raise Your Sights
Race 2:
Once Were Lost
Shakespeare
Jekyll’N’Hyde
Race 3:
Nothin’ Leica High
Laybuy
Rider In The Snow
Race 4:
Heir To The Throne
Field Of Lights
That’s Incranibull
Race 5:
Roland Garros
Castrofrancaru
Mighty Oasis
Race 6:
Alassak
Masina
Poetic Whisper
Race 7:
Zed Leppelin
Prize Lad
Ima Dozer
Race 8:
Bomber’s Kiss
Mister Razzledazzle
Sacred Kiwi
