Sunday's Previews
A fascinating $20,000 Maiden kicks things off on a Mother's Day card that also sees last season's four-time winner Wirly Girly renew rivalry with Above Average and Matsqui in the day's feature
Even without winning, COUNTER CAT was among the best of last season’s juvenile crop. All bar one of his four starts came in Stakes company and, while he may eventually benefit from longer distances, he can make his presence felt here. Interestingly, rider Kerron Khelawan chooses Counter Cat despite having partnered BLUEGRASS LENT in both his starts last season. Both were tough-looking maidens and, now a 4yo, he holds a physical advantage over his year-younger rivals. Whether that will be enough, remains to be seen. KYALAM makes most appeal of the unraced duo. He’s been startling the geese in the mornings and, while winning on debut against experienced rivals is not easy, he’s one to keep an eye on.
LOLA M split the smart Stakes winners Bunny and Matsqui on her debut last year and, without winning, held her own in decent company before dropping down a level towards the end of the season. She may need to improve a little to win this but shouldn’t be too far away. LICORICE finished last season with a flourish, winning twice either side of a narrow defeat and represents a barn that has made a fast start. ALOBRAH could represent value at the betting windows. She had an interrupted campaign last year but showed decent form on occasion and a repeat of her second to Arikara on her penultimate start would put her firmly in the mix.
This represents a class drop for PISCO, who won on his debut last season before running solidly in tough company. He looks the one to beat. BACK SHACK missed the frame just once in six starts last term and would be a threat to the selection if able to repeat last September’s second-place finish to Finding Ways. KEEP IT COMING, who makes his Hastings debut after arriving from Turf Paradise, has already won twice this year and should lack nothing in fitness. He’s not easy to weigh up but should play a significant part if he adapts to the track.
WIRLY GIRLY progressed nicely through the ranks under the tutelage of trainer Pat Jarvis last term and ended the year by narrowly holding off today’s rivals, ABOVE AVERAGE and MATSQUI, to land her 4th win of the season. There doesn’t look to be much between the three, although it’s fair to say that Matsqui should be seen to better effect when stepping up in distance. Above Average, the B.C. Oaks winner in 2023, has won at the minimum distance, however, and has been working well in the mornings.
AVE’S IN COMMAND rattled off five wins from seven starts last season including, vitally, his first run of the campaign. He represents a fast-starting barn, as well, and looks a worthy favourite. BROKE AN BROKEN ran well in deeper waters than this last year, including a solid second to the useful Finding Ways on his reappearance. However, he only got his nose in front later in the year when dropped in class and there’s probably very little between the two. PARKER POINT won his first race last term and has the assistance of Kimal Santo, fresh from a Saturday four-timer.
INDYETTA begins her year with some class relief following a solid ‘24 campaign that saw her run well without getting her head in front. This looks like a good opportunity for her to get back to the form that saw her land four races in 2023. The remarkable PINEAPPLE TIDBITS won three times at this level last season and, although probably better over longer distances these days, is a five-time winner at today’s 6½ furlongs. She represents a fast-starting barn and goes in search of an 11th lifetime victory. JERSEY LILLIE was a credit to her barn last season, winning three times and finishing second twice in seven starts. She goes well fresh and is another from a fast-starting outfit.
Lisa & Mike’s Sunday Picks
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