Penshurth Preview – Boxing Day

Racing returns to the south west on Boxing Day with the running of the time honoured Penshurst Cup (@PenshurstRaces) over 2000m.  The 7 race TAB program will be shown on Sky Racing and as usual it will be worthwhile having a look at another picturesque track in the region, that races once per year. Tagged the “Moonee Valley of the bush” by jockeys of the past such as well known and leading rider at the course over the years, Neville ‘Nifty’ Wilson, the track is a little over 1600m in circumference and features an uphill run in the back straight.

It appears a tough card on paper and there should be plenty of value if winners can be found. The track is currently rated a Good4.

Going with the lightly raced 5 Tiananmen here.  Bred to get over further but has had two spaced runs at Mount Gambier over 900m and been around the mark, after a trial in strong class at Naracoorte in late September.  Has trialled well on dry ground in NSW some time back and the drier ground here may help. 8 Lava Tongue was slightly disappointing last start but has performed soundly on a couple of occasions and the 9 Mental As Anything can also figure in the finish.

Good race, with many chances. 3 Sacambaya dropping in class here from starts prior to her last run at Terang and with the 3kg claim for Teodore Nugent is the one to beat.  Beaten 1.45L at Moonee Valley 4 starts back and that’s good enough for this. 8 She’s Got Magic first up here is a winning chance back onto Good ground. She’s drawn well and with the claim can race on pace and be the testing material. 6 Arcadian, at a little value, likes dry ground and with Holly McKechnie riding wouldn’t surprise.

Tough race! Going with the States leading trainer in D K Weir with 6 Foxanne. Her first start when beaten 5.9L at Ballarat is good enough for this. Two of her three starts on Good ground were better than her last run on a Heavy8 and she will be better suited back on the Good ground here.  Hardest to beat will be the 3 Another Kerrie, who is in well at the weights with the 4kg claim for Leticia Griffin and the 5 Delicate Glance.  An interesting runner in this is the Jackie Beriman trained and ridden 2 Starsonfortyfive.

Leaning to 2 Grassmere Flyer here with the claim over the 3 Roycey.  Beaten 2.55L in a BM64 at Warrnambool last start after winning in that grade at his previous start and back to a BM58 here I’ll put him on top. 3 Roycey resumes here after 13 weeks off and his first up form is top class winning 3 from 5 and being placed 2nd on another occasion. Has raced soundly at 1400m but yet to win beyond 1000m and has his share of weight here with his main dangers having claimed.  5 Normandy Lad can also get into the finish coming off two wins in BM52 class and a sound 3rd last start at Bordertown in a BM56.

Is it possible to be real keen on something in a BM52?!  Well I am, reckon the 3 Presidium is a good thing here. Beaten 2.55L by Royal Applause at Stawell four starts back in what has turned out a good form race with winners coming out of it but particularly Royal Applause who has now won two on the trot at Moonee Valley since (as an aside Royal Applause had her first win at Penshurst on Boxing Day 2015).  Followed that up with a 2nd in a BM58 at Warrnambool and was then caught wide at Dunkeld in the same grade, before beaten a little over 3L at Horsham.  Drawn perfectly here and with the services of Jackie Beriman should get a nice run and be too good. Hardest to beat will be the 1 Barely a Grin, 7 Peg Leg Ben and 9 Grecian Spy.

Interesting race with the strong stayers (Parthesia and Great Lane) taking on a 2000m horse (Hasta La Thomas) and one particularly stepping up in distance (Red Tycoon) and that’s not to say something else can’t win!

I’ve settled on 1 Hasta La Thomas at the 2000m here. He’s won 4 at or around the 2000m and is also capable of winning at shorter distances. Harry Grace will just need to get him a position before going out of the straight the first time. Beaten 1/2 length by subsequent Moonee Valley winner, Straight Jacket, in the Bordertown Cup last start and can win here.

4 Great Lane won very impressively last start at Warrnambool, albeit in weaker grade, but was beaten 2.25L in the stronger Hamilton Cup five starts back and 3 Parthesia for Darren Weir comes off a 5th at Caulfield beaten just under 5L last start, but like Great Lane is dropping back in distance here which won’t help her but her class may offset that and the uphill run in the back straight makes it a slightly tougher 2000m test. I tipped her recently in the Dunkeld Cup but she just got too far back there over the 1800m.

6 Red Tycoon won at this meeting last year but hasn’t won beyond 1400m and if there’s to be an absolute blowout it may be provided by 7 Unicaja.

1 Hasta La Thomas 4 Great Lane 3 Parthesia

Race 7 Kelly Memorial Maiden Plate 2000m

At the risk of sounding like a broken record this is another tough race to finish the day.  The 12 acceptors have had a combined 138 starts for 14 times in the money, but the great thing about racing is someone gets a chance to break their duck here.

Putting 6 Danube Delta for Wayne Walters on top. Been in the money on 4 occasions from 36 tries. Beaten a little under 3L over 2000m at St Arnaud three starts ago and ran on well over 1600m last start at Colac. Drawn well and can win. Hardest to beat will be 8 Zambesia with the 2kg claim for Lucinda Doodt and is sure to run the distance out strongly and the 1 Avalon Lad who is also in well with the 4kg claim for Leticia Griffin.

Merry Christmas everybody and good punting on Boxing Day!

#DandyAndy