By Nick Berney
Lightly raced galloper Lovero bolted in at the same track/distance first-up, and the four-year-old receives a similar setup today at Gosford in the Bees Knees Eatery F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).
The Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou runner was heavily backed that day late in the trade from $2.40-$1.90, and she didn’t let punters down.
Racing returns to Gosford on Wednesday.
The mare won by a dominant margin of 2.5 lengths, smashed the clock running slick sectionals throughout and posted one of the fastest final 200m splits of the entire meeting.
She has key attributes, and all factors/indicators suggest she can improve again.
In addition, she has the perfect draw to either lead or stalk the speed and expect her to be hard to hold out.
It’s worth noting her jockey Tom Sherry has a fantastic record at Gosford. He has had 145 rides at the track for 25 wins at a profit on turnover of 7.2%.
Trainer Kris Lees is now in charge of an intriguing runner in Morean, and she looms as the main danger to the early favourite.
The four-year-old has strong benchmark form from interstate at the metropolitan level, and her figures suggest she can be competitive.
The mare has had two trials leading into this event, and a senior rider goes on for race day. She is a crucial late-market watch and has a definite chance.
Local trainer Neil Ward saddles up Noble Empress in the Risk & Safety Solutions 4YO & Up Maiden Handicap (1200m), and the mare represents value.
The four-year-old has been specked in early markets and her debut run last campaign had hidden merit.
Further, she wasn’t suited by the pace of the race, had to make a long wide sustained run, and clocked the meeting’s fastest 400m-200m split before peaking.
She returns after two solid trials, won a recent heat at this track, and went through the line full of energy under a tight grip.
The tricky draw is of some concern but expect her to savage the line.
The David Pfieffer-trained Ovoid is ready to improve second-up over more distance and is another winning chance in an open maiden.
Best Bets: Race 5, No.6 Lovero
Race 4, No.4 Noble Empress
Best Value: Race 6, No.10 Doubtless Lady
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
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