RACE 1 – 1pm bet365 Never Ordinary Maiden Plate (2000m)
MUKTAMIL (4) is a UK import who has put the writing on the wall for an upcoming victory after two race starts in Australia with a third placing at Pakenham and a fast finishing second at Cranbourne when a short-priced favourite. He can bring up his first career win today.
REDEVANCE (5) recorded three consecutive placings at Benalla, Seymour and Moe prior to finishing fifth at Wangaratta on July 6.
ARDSLEY (8) finished second at Mornington three starts back and has not been far away at his past two starts on the Pakenham synthetic track and will be better suited here today.
RACE 2 – 1.30pm Jade Benham MP Maiden Plate (1400m)
POP QUIZ (9) has finished runner-up in two of her past three outings at Seymour recently. Has raced well on soft-rated tracks so gets those conditions today and will have the services of in-form SA jockey Jacob Opperman to assist her in trying to bring up her first career win today.
LLOYD THE LEOPARD (4) is making his racetrack debut today and he looks ready to run a big race first up for the Mitch Freedman stable at Ballarat as he won a recent jumpout at St Arnaud. He is bred to be a handy stayer so look for a forward showing today.
GEEIJO (4) showed a lot of promise at his previous campaign with a second placing and two fourth placings in SA at Gawler, Murray Bridge and Morphettville. Has raced below that level so far this time in, but he did run a better race at his latest outing and can improve here today.
RACE 3 – 2pm Sunraysia Daily Maiden Plate (1200m)
JOON HO (3) has only finished out of the placings on one occasion from six career starts. Had been placed at Pakenham, Sandown, Bendigo and Mornington at his previous campaign so will find this race a lot more to his liking today. Will not get a better opportunity to bring up his first win here today.
CROWN RICHES (2) has had a trainer change to Gary Boyce at Murray Bridge after being placed second at Mount Gambier during his initial four race campaign last preparation. Has shown that he is ready to resume his racing career after winning a trial at Murray Bridge last month and look for improvement this campaign.
THE CREED (7) was placed third at this track three starts ago on May 26 when made up many lengths from well back in the field at the finish. He went close to winning at his latest outing to run second at Gawler.
SEMINARA (4) has been placed on nine occasions from 30 outings so she has a lot of experience on her rivals and can figure in the placings again.
RACE 4 – 2.30PM Mildura Motor Holdings Handicap (1000m)
ETIENNE (1) finished his previous campaign in top form with back-to-back wins at Ballarat and Moonee Valley prior to running third at Moe in October last year. Has returned from a spell with a close-up fourth at Sandown behind the in-form Mrs Chrissie so has the ability to run a big race here today.
THE GOV (3) is a South Australian visitor who ended her last campaign with a border hopping raid at Sandown on January 10 when made up many lengths in the home straight to finish a gallant third. The mare races well when fresh as has two wins from five first up runs so she should be primed for a top run at Mildura today.
OVEREXTEND (2) is a former New South Wales based galloper who has a consistent record with six career wins. He joined the Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor stable at Gawler recently and pay to monitor any betting moves for a guide to his winning chances.
SIMPLY SPARKLEZ (6) is from the Austy Coffey stable at Swan Hill and she finished second at her home track two starts ago on June 9. Has had one start on the Mildura track for a win so has a liking for the circuit and can run well again.
RACE 5 – 3pm Trentham Estate Golden Goblet Handicap (1200m)
LADY SIMONE (11) should be at her peak now after having two runs back from a spell when placed fourth on both occasions at Morphettville. Made up late ground when resuming on June 8 and then had trouble obtaining clear running until the later stages of the race last time. The six-year-old is well placed here and has the services of jockey Stacey Metcalfe who is riding in top form.
JET JITSU (7) showed a lot of promise in his early preparations including recording a smart win at this track when he came from the near the rear of the field with a scintillating sprint. He is resuming from a spell today and has raced well first up in the past.
GAME AS NED (6) is never far away in his races for Plumpton trainer Patrick Payne with a win at Echuca in May which was followed up with a third placing at Pakenham and a second at Echuca so he has the ability to win this race.
IMAPAGETHREE GIRL (3) led throughout to win at Swan Hill on June 8 and then carried a big weight when tried the same tactics out in front again at Ballarat and was over-run over the final 200-metres. Has achieved three wins from eight outings so is building up a solid race record.
RACE 6 – 3.30pm JBMP Handicap (1400m)
OAK PARK REBEL (6) is a promising five-year-old from the Paul Preusker stable at Horsham as the lightly raced five-year-old has only had two race starts for a debut win at Swan Hill during their Cup Carnival and a narrow second placing at Ballarat when he came from well back in the field to be beaten in a photo finish. The rise in trip to the 1400-metres will be more beneficial for him today.
GRAND SAGE (5) is the interesting runner of the field as the former Singapore galloper recorded two wins and two placings prior to coming to Australia to join the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable at Cranbourne. Made his Australian debut with a first up seventh at Cranbourne and he will be further improved this time.
ANNIHILATE (1) has been racing well in SA for Morphettville trainer Chris Bieg with three consecutive placings at his home track prior to a last start fourth at Gawler behind the in-form galloper Favourite Child. Can continue his consistent record today.
RED ROWIE (7) was sent for a spell after achieving a win at his debut on January 20 at Camperdown and is a promising youngster, while
PRINCEOFNOTTINGHAM (3) is racing in top form with a win at Wangaratta and has been placed at Kyneton and Seymour since then.
RACE 7 – 4pm bet365 Mildura Cup (1400m)
JIMMY THE BEAR (1) is the highest rated galloper in the Cup field so has earned the right to carry the topweight of 60kgs. He raced through the classes as a three-year-old as over a five-start period he recorded four city wins. He returned from a spell with a fourth placing at Caulfield and then a second placing in The Cummings Stakes at Group 3 level at Morphettville on May 11. Has the blinkers applied once again and he is likely to be a lot sharper in the Cup today.
HE’S OUR BONNEVAL (6) was rewarded for his consistency when recording a fast-finishing victory at Flemington on March 30. He has been close-up in his past three starts including a third placing at Caulfield behind Rheinberg. He is a major player in the Cup.
UMGAWA (4) is from the in-form Leon and Troy Corstens stable at Flemington. Ran third in the Gold Topaz at Swan Hill on June 7 and has been competing against strong city class opposition over recent months.
MY KHALIFA (3) is a South Australian visitor who finished second in the City Adelaide Listed race in April and then ran third at Morphettville in May before being sent for a short spell. Races well on soft ground so he can also be prominent in the finish.
RACE 8 – 4.30pm AJ & JJ Dunne Memorial Handicap (2000m)
BLUSHING TYCOON (7) has only won two races from 29 starts, but he has raced without luck on a lot of occasions and has been placed eight times. He ran an unlucky fifth at Sandown on June 19 when he was badly checked late in the race. Looks a top each way chance today.
TORRANZINO (8) had been working up to a win after finishing second at Swan Hill on June 7 and then ran fourth at Caulfield behind Desperado. Was sent out the favoured runner at Murray Bridge at his latest outing, but pay to forgive the outing as he raced wide throughout the race. This is a suitable race.
FIRST MATE (1) is racing well against handy city class opposition and is capable of winning in this class of race. This race is a tough end to a top Mildura Cup program.
