‘Straight track fever’ has hit Healesville during its Festival of Racing and even though today is a standard fixture, it has a carnival flavour.
The three-way tussle between G2 Healesville Cup aspirants Fernando Mick (10 from 36) v Blackpool Astro (10 from 55 – 19.20sec PB) v He’s An Ace (18 from 73 – 19.23sec PB) should be a sensational straight track showdown!
Fernando Mick (2nd – G1 Maturity Classic) makes his Healesville debut, while Blackpool Astro (Super Sprint finalist) and He’s An Ace (2nd – Christmas Cup) are ‘part of the furniture’ at Healesville.
Two former interstate fliers – ex-Qld Go Forward Tink (6 from 12 – won past 4) and ex-NSW Aston Galahad (6 from 10 – 5 of past 7) – make their debuts down south and increase this meeting’s X-factor, along with G1 Sapphire Crown finalist Persian Goddess (11 from 30).
Young Yinnar South trainer Ben Joske puts the ‘lead and collar’ on Persian Goddess and has now acquired Aston Galahad who ‘rides’ into Victoria with a big reputation.
Here’s an extensive analysis of today’s Must Watch Race, and be sure to scroll down further for ? The Watchdog’s $10 spend…
? MUST-WATCH RACE: Trials Every Wednesday Free For All
FERNANDO MICK ? BLACKPOOL ASTRO ? HE’S AN ACE
? Healesville ? Race 9 ? 350m ⏱ 1:27pm
Form ? https://watchdog.grv.org.au/meeting/666538518/race/9
The Watchdog says ?: After missing out on victory by the smallest of margins in the inaugural running of The Arrow yesterday, the Geall kennel returns to Healesville with another star chaser in FERNANDO MICK (2). He was recently placed in the Group 1 Maturity Classic final and is having his first look at the track in readiness for the upcoming rich Healesville Cup series. His box manners can be a little hit or miss at times, but he does possess one of the best turns of speed in the game and should be suited to straight track racing. With limited early pace drawn inside and the vacant draw on his outside, he should get plenty of room to balance up and assume control after box rise. And he should press the 19sec barrier if the track is in good condition. BLACKPOOL ASTRO (7) is a track specialist and although he would have preferred a rails draw, he looks the obvious danger. With an ounce of luck early, he should push up into second spot after 100m or so and test the favourite for most of the journey. YEAH EASY (1) is an interesting runner; he is better suited to a longer journey but has drawn to get all the breaks early and won here previously in a solid 19.50sec. I don’t think he can win the event, but a top three finish looks to be on the cards. HE’S AN ACE (8) rounds out the big guns; he is probably a few lengths off his best at present, but the draw should help, and he can sneak into a place.
Selections: 2 – 1 – 7 – 8
