Coleraine Races Jumps Preview Sunday 24 September 2017

Coleraine Races Jumps Preview Sunday 24 September 2017. Thanks to the crew @WestVicTurfTalk!

Back to the picturesque Coleraine course on Sunday for the jumps racing finale of 2017 and the time-honored Coleraine Cup.

The day will kick off with the QLS Great Western Steeplechase, the oldest ongoing steeplechase in Australia and is also highlighted by the inaugural running of the Adam Lindsay Gordon Hurdle which has brought together a strong field to finish the jumps racing season.

At the time of writing the course is rated a Soft 6 (rated 9am 21/9) but in the time since it would have improved significantly with a stunning day today (Friday) in the south-west, however, there is rain forecast for Saturday night and Sunday so its a little uncertain what we’ll race on come Sunday.

This course is one of the better all-weather turf courses in the country though, so everything will get its chance come Sunday.

Going with the Steven Patemen trained 4 Surging Wave here to continue on his winning way now that he’s found the winners circle.  He got over the top of Dormello Mo last start at Casterton but did have a huge pull in the weights.  Gets the 3kg claim here again for Clayton Douglas and can continue the improvement showed at this last three starts and win again from 2 The Narcissist and last start SA winner, 3 Pentomatic.  Expecting The Narcissist to improve here back on slightly better ground than his last couple.

Giving 10 Silent Interest another chance here coming off her narrow defeat at Casterton in what was a muddling run race.  Better for the experience of her two jumps runs and will race on the pace here for Lee Horner with the 1.5kg claim.  8 Marilisa comes through that same  Casterton Hurdle and off the short back up from Casteron on the flat last Monday can improve here on drier ground along with 3 Dusty Mamba will be the main dangers.

The inaugural running of this race and its brought together a strong field to finish the jumps season off.  7 Shez Ektraordinary was slightly disappointing last start at Casterton but didn’t appear to appreciate racing inside and behind the leader with little room. The ride of Lee Horner won the race for 2 Don’t Be Shy there and I expect the two to fight it out again here but Shez Ektraordinary can turn the tables at the weights and with the experience of last start.  Don’t Be Shy has been one of the finds of the season over jumps and has formed a strong combination with Lee Horner.  She jumps very well and he didn’t leave too much to do at Casterton where he rode her a treat in front and they were far too good.  Stablemate of Shez Ektraordinary, the 1 Transfixed was very impressive winning at Morphetville two starts back and if he can find that form here, rather than his last start, with the 3kg claim will be very hard to beat also.

A race in three and finding it hard to split them, so box them in the trifecta and throw in your own if you like something.  Michael O’Leary knows how to find a winner in this region and his runner, the 4 Squadron Leader, led and was just nabbed late by the race fit, wet tracker Jose Wales, when first up at Casterton.  The stable has chosen not to claim here while those around him in the chances have, but he’ll be fitter for that run and if track condiditons are slightly better here that won’t hurt his chances so he goes on top over 5 Shining Star who has been in the money at 4 of his last 5 start in this class and has the 2kg claim again for Jessica Eaton after she rode him to a narrow win last start with at Donald. 3 Reward With Return who has the 1.5kg claim for Chelsea Hall and is coming off two recent placings in this grade is next best.

Going with the good thing of the day here in 2 Tiamo Grace.  Drawn wide which is no favour on this course and from this start but she has class on her side. Coming off a luckless run at Caulfield in Listed class I reckon the instructions to Harry Coffey will be to ride her like the good thing she is and she can win this for the south west representatives among her owners and get her preparation back on track after missing a run in town last week.  She just wins.  For the exotics throw in the 1, 5, 7 and 10.

Putting the 11 Lebombo Rose on top here for the Salanitri stable with Jason Benbow riding.  She’s drawn to box seat, get the run of the race and be presented at the right time to win here with the harderst to beat the 1, 7 and 8.  7 Thanos for OTI and Archie Alexander in blinkers for the first time can improve and the 8 Ella also in blinkers first time and with the 2kg claim for Jesica Eaton will appreciate the significant drop in class, while I won’t be leaving the Wayne Walters top weight, Brigadier, out of my quaddie numbers.

Not a lot of confidence here, but to finish the day I’m going with the 2 Boss Coni on top.  While he’s won on heavy ground, slighly better conditions won’t hurt his chances and with the claim can win at his first try over 1400m.  7 Bannatyne for Darren Weir and Harry Coffey comes off a good effort when she had a tough run in a solid Fillies & Mares race last start at Bendigo and can get into the finish here, and I can’t leave out the 1 Jarrah Twist, who while unplaced at his last three starts hasn’t been far away on those occasions.

Good luck and good punting everybody!