By Nick Berney
The Robert and Luke Price-trained Slickman produced a flashing light run first up and has come back improved this preparation.
Punters will have to wait until the final event, where the gelding can make his mark in the Cameron’s Hardware Class 2 Handicap (1300m) at Moruya on Sunday.
Robert and Luke Price have a great chance with Slickman in the last at Moruya.Credit:Getty
The four-year-old resumed at Kensington 16 days ago and got too far back in the run but showed a burst of acceleration to weave a passage through the field to secure a placing.
He clocked one of the fastest final 200m splits of the entire meeting, and key indicators suggest that the slight step up in distance will be ideal.
Slickman gets a significant barrier change that will allow him to settle closer, and any improvement on his first-up run will make him hard to beat.
The lightly raced Patrika Mist looms as the main danger resuming for her second campaign. She was consistent last preparation, and the market respected her chances in each of her outings.
The mare has had a recent trial at Kembla Grange, and she is a late market watch.
The Whacker’s Photo And Picture Framing Maiden Plate (1300m) is another intriguing contest.
So You Pence presents as the main chance after a spirited debut performance at Wagga Riverside.
The Matthew Dale-trained filly was heavily backed in to $3.80 favourite and, although beaten, she should lose no admirers.
She sat outside the leader at an even tempo, duelled with the eventual winner down the straight, and went down fighting in holding second place. That race rated highly relative to the day.
She maps to have all favours and repeating her last start effort will make her hard to beat.
Garry Kirkup saddles up a new horse in his stable, Up To Me, which brings different form lines.
Up To Me returns without an official public trial but can give a sight from barrier one.
Supplied by Racing NSW. Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
