WARM weather and a big crowd are expected to greet participants at today’s William Thomson Dunkeld Cup meeting.
The club has attracted some good quality gallopers on its eight-race card, as well as some big-name trainers.
Champion trainer, Peter Moody, has been a regular visitor over the years and along with his training partner, Katherine Coleman, have landed at the meeting with key chance Scorsese in the Baumgartners Tauto Sprint.
The 1000m scamper could see sparks flying early with the likes of Kev’s Girl and Star Diesel only knowing one way, and that’s flat out from barrier rise.
The class edge of Scorsese may see him prevail in a driving finish.
Melbourne Cup-winning trainer, Danny O’Brien, along with multiple group winning trainers, Tony and Calvin McEvoy, also grace the hallowed turf beneath the Grampians ranges.
Team McEvoy has an interesting runner in the opening race, Brazen Martini, while O’Brien also saddles up a key chance in Groove Jet.
O’Brien’s other runner is Theycallmebruce in the Catanach’s Jewellers BM70 Handicap over 1200m.
The cup is an even field with mixed form from recent country cups as well as general benchmark races.
Henry Dwyer’s team is flying, and he looks to have a strong chance with the well-weighted Friday At Five.
The 2024 Hanging Rock Cup winner returned to form last start at Ballarat and will be suited back out to the 1800m trip.
Dangers in the race could be hidden on present form, especially Rhinoceros and Flossing, whose numbers on paper don’t stand out, but past performances in better races suggests they can feature.
Add in riders, Jack Hill and Linda Meech respectively, and they will get every chance during the run.
Wayne Walter’s Any Luck has been performing well in similar races, while The True Believer - trained by Aaron Purcell - is back to the races after a light freshen up.
One of the better bets at the meeting looks to be the Paul Preusker-trained Budjik Boy.
After an Echuca win and close-up fourth at the same venue, the Elders 0-58 Handicap over 1800m looks to be his for the taking.
Hill has the ride in what could be a big day for the popular hoop.
The second-best bet is Brooklyn Baby in the final race, the bet365 0-58 Handicap over 1200m.
The Mick Sell-trained mare ran well first-up for third on her home track, before an unplaced run, albeit in a better class last start.
Back to a lesser grade she looks the winner, with local hope, the Matt and Louise Cooper-trained Somaurum the main danger.
Good punting.
Morg’s selections
Race 1: Brazen Martini, Groove Jet, Evil Lover.
Race 2: Flick Row, Mississippi Miller, Redemption Time.
Race 3: Silky Smooth, La Narradora, Relatives.
Race 4: Bon’s Your Back, Come Along Jeffrey, First Mate.
Race 5: Scorsese, Kev’s Girl, Time To Rumble.
Race 6: Friday At Five, Rhinoceros, Flossing.
Race 7: Budjik Boy, Kalends, Warlist.
Race 8: Brooklyn Baby, Somaurum, Sports Choice.
Sir Agrifo’s selections
Race 1: Du Clisson, Brazen Martini, Simply Sassy
Race 2: Flick Roll, Mississippi Miller, Machinegunrhon
Race 3: Silky Smooth, La Narradora, Scorso Veloz
Race 4: First Mate, Theycallmebruce, Come Along Jeffrey
Race 5: Scorsese, Kev’s Girl, Time To Rumble
Race 6: Friday At Five, Any Luck, Flossing
Race 7: Budjik Boy, Ovabent, Mon Etoile
Race 8: Sports Choice, Brooklyn Baby, Frose
