There were some nice performances at the Ararat jumpouts on Wednesday, even without counting another solid outing by the tongmen on the trackside barbecue.
On the track, Henry Dwyer’s unraced two-year-old Mariner Miss improved sharply from an inauspicious Ballarat jumpout last week, where she missed the kick and took no part in proceedings.
The daughter of Blue Point was better behaved on Wednesday, jumping on terms and winning her heat easily under little riding. No surprise to see her competitive making a short-course debut in the coming weeks.
Andrew Noblet’s unnamed Nicconi gelding impressed in his 850-metre hitout, running on nicely down the middle of the track in heat four. The three-year-old hadn’t been seen since jumping out soundly at Stawell in January, finishing alongside subsequent winners Artpark and Grand Intentions on that occasion, and looks to have returned in terrific order.
A $120,000 yearling buy on the Gold Coast in 2023, this fellow looks one to follow, so take note of the dam’s name (Testa Secret) and keep an eye peeled.
Bobbin up
Stawell horseman Andrew Bobbin has hit a purple patch, preparing three winners and four placegetters from his past eight runners.
The Grampians Racing trainer recorded a winning double at Echuca on Tuesday, four days after saddling the winner and third placegetter in the same race at Bendigo.
Near misses at Hamilton, Werribee and Penola prevented what could have been an all-time hot streak, but you can expect Bobbin’s strong form to continue, with some nice chances at Swan Hill across the long weekend.
Notably, last-start runner-up Off His Roca comes back in grade for Friday’s 2400-metre benchmark 64, drawing ideally in gate four, and will surely be around the mark. And it will be no surprise to see Fox Man complete the weekend with his maiden win behind him.
No ’Hope, but show goes on
In a blow for the Apsley Race Club, Sunday’s cup meeting has been transferred from Edenhope to Casterton, with full form in this edition.