AU - Casterton - Race 1

Thoroughbred

14 Runners

17.4f

Maiden

Turf

SOFT 6

25.0K

VIEW

Verdict

We kick off Cup Day with a maiden hurdle that brings together a number of jumpers who went around at 'The Bool'. SHAMARKAND (7) is taking on the jumps for a second time after finding one better at his first attempt in a hurdle there, when he was beaten 10 lengths. Is the winner of a black-type race on the flat. Looks a great chance with that run under the belt. ARDAKAN (1) has been costly the past two, looking all over a winner before butchering the last jump. He'll loom as the winner again, but it'll be heart-in-mouth stuff nearing the last. FERAGO (3) is going over the jumps for the first time, having finished down the track in the Cup at The Bool. Tough test at his jumps debut but he has trialled well. UNTETHERED (10) missed the frame two runs ago in a hurdle at Hamilton, but ran a better race last time and should be around the mix again. CHRISTMAS (2) wasn't far off Shamarkand last start, so he must be considered.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob
7	Useful type. Last run held ground to the line finished second of 10 runners at Warrnambool Mdn Hdle-Sw on May 5 over 2m, on a wet track, 10 len behind Ongatiti carrying 153lbs at $3.40. Before that sat behind the speed prior to fading to run last at Sandown-Lakeside Bm74 on April 15 over 1m, slow track, 9 len behind Suffolk Star carrying 129lbs at $18. Continues to make headway. Beaten by a handy one at The Bool and better for that. 1st Pick 7 Shamarkand Jockey: Tom Ryan Trainer: Shane Jackson J: Tom Ryan T: Shane Jackson	142	-	-	-	17%
Analysis Useful type. Last run held ground to the line finished second of 10 runners at Warrnambool Mdn Hdle-Sw on May 5 over 2m, on a wet track, 10 len behind Ongatiti carrying 153lbs at $3.40. Before that sat behind the speed prior to fading to run last at Sandown-Lakeside Bm74 on April 15 over 1m, slow track, 9 len behind Suffolk Star carrying 129lbs at $18. Continues to make headway. Beaten by a handy one at The Bool and better for that.
1	Racing well. Last outing ran on from midfield, finished third of 10 runners at Warrnambool Mdn Hdle-Sw on May 5 over 2m, in the wet, 3 len behind Fengarada carrying 153lbs at $1.90. Start before finished second of 10 runners at Terang Mdn Hdle-Sw on April 19 over 2m, on a wet track, 3.5 len behind The Storyteller carrying 153lbs at $2.90. 2nd Pick 1 Ardakan Jockey: Steven Pateman Trainer: Ciaron Maher J: Steven Pateman T: Ciaron Maher	193	-	-	-	50%
Analysis Racing well. Last outing ran on from midfield, finished third of 10 runners at Warrnambool Mdn Hdle-Sw on May 5 over 2m, in the wet, 3 len behind Fengarada carrying 153lbs at $1.90. Start before finished second of 10 runners at Terang Mdn Hdle-Sw on April 19 over 2m, on a wet track, 3.5 len behind The Storyteller carrying 153lbs at $2.90.
3	Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming got back early finished ninth of 13 runners at Warrnambool Bm62 on March 26 over 1 ¼m, on slow going 10 len behind Both Sides Now carrying 140lbs at $18. Second run from a spell came from midfield, finished 11th of 15 runners at Warrnambool in the LR Wnbl Cup on May 7 over 1 7/16m, on a wet track, 10 len behind Any Luck carrying 120lbs at $20. Sure to improve again. Has flat ability and has trialled well over the jumps. 3rd Pick 3 Ferago Jockey: Daniel Small Trainer: Patrick F Ryan Jnr J: Daniel Small T: Patrick F Ryan Jnr	145	-	-	-	17%
Analysis Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming got back early finished ninth of 13 runners at Warrnambool Bm62 on March 26 over 1 ¼m, on slow going 10 len behind Both Sides Now carrying 140lbs at $18. Second run from a spell came from midfield, finished 11th of 15 runners at Warrnambool in the LR Wnbl Cup on May 7 over 1 7/16m, on a wet track, 10 len behind Any Luck carrying 120lbs at $20. Sure to improve again. Has flat ability and has trialled well over the jumps.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Rabbit

Also known as a pacemaker; this is a horse with no expected chance of winning but is used to prompt a quick pace on the front end of the race to the benefit of a stablemate who is a closer.

Bullet

A bullet, or bullet workout, is a workout that was clocked as the best time for a certain distance on a given day.

Superfecta

A wager involving choosing the first, second, third, and fourth horses in one race in the exact order. A superfecta box involves paying more to ensure they can finish in any order in the top four spots.