Kyneton has a nine-race card on Thursday, starting at 2:30pm (AEDT), with the track rated a Soft 5. The first five races are maidens, followed by four Benchmark 56 handicaps. Victory Edition (Race 1) and Secret Crossing (Race 5) have been scratched. Prices below were taken on Wednesday evening and will move.
Meness in Race 1 is our standout bet. Caddington in Race 5 and Swift Star in Race 4 also look hard to beat, while Brutal World in Race 6 is our best value play.
Race 1 - Celestial Legend @ Woodside Park Maiden Plate (1856m)
Selection: Meness Current odds: $1.65
This is our strongest bet at the meeting. Meness was second at Geelong last start and has drawn barrier 2, so he should get a soft run on the pace. He is a short price but he is clearly the best horse in the race. Corviglia placed at Caulfield Heath when resuming and is the obvious danger. Windhowler was second at Swan Hill and has the speed to overcome a wide draw, and Julep has the winkers off.
Selections:
- Meness - $1.65
- Corviglia - $4.40
- Windhowler - $18.00
- Julep - $19.00
Race 2 - Shalaa @ Woodside Park Maiden Plate (1454m)
Selection: Salarae Current odds: $4.20
Salarae was third at Mornington when resuming, beaten less than a length, and should improve second-up. There is not much depth in this race and she gets our vote. Gracconi resumes after 21 weeks but placed at the trials and has good speed. Star Je Taime and Tanabata both ran on at Geelong first-up and should be better for the run.
Selections:
- Salarae - $4.20
- Gracconi - $4.60
- Star Je Taime - $5.50
- Tanabata - $5.00
Race 3 - Foxwedge @ Woodside Park Maiden Plate (1103m)
Selection: Oceans Blue Current odds: $3.00
Oceans Blue was third at Bendigo at his only start and has since trialled at Caulfield Heath. He should be fitter and is our pick. Rentier was third at Tatura at his first start and should go forward early, so he is a good each-way price. Southern Sway is a debutant who is well supported, and Lightwatch has the blinkers off first-up.
Selections:
- Oceans Blue - $3.00
- Rentier - $8.00
- Southern Sway - $3.40
- Lightwatch - $5.00
Race 4 - Delaware @ Woodside Park Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate (1203m)
Selection: Swift Star Current odds: $2.15
Swift Star made up a lot of ground to run second at Caulfield Heath at her only start and now drops to a country maiden. She has a wide draw, but she finishes well and should be hard to beat. Brutelli is a Hawkes-trained debutant with Luke Currie riding and a good draw. Iftihar placed first-up at Moe last preparation and has trialled, and Blue Dream placed at a Cranbourne trial.
Selections:
- Swift Star - $2.15
- Brutelli - $6.50
- Iftihar - $7.00
- Blue Dream - $4.20
Race 5 - Laurel River @ Woodside Park Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate (1203m)
Selection: Caddington Current odds: $1.75
Caddington won a trial at Caulfield Heath on 1 October and ran on for fourth at Sandown on debut. She looks the one to beat in a race full of first starters. Incoherent is a debutant from the Hayes stable, and Flight Du Jour is a first starter for Lloyd Kennewell. Lady Blanc has a tongue tie on for her debut. Watch the betting on the newcomers.
Selections:
- Caddington - $1.75
- Incoherent - $10.00
- Flight Du Jour - $8.50
- Lady Blanc - $14.00
Race 6 - RMBL Investments Rising Stars BM56 Handicap (1203m)
Selection: Brutal World Current odds: $5.00
Brutal World won well at Donald last start and comes back to a race he can win. He is our value pick in an open race. Yellowknife has won at Pakenham and placed this campaign. Ranakye has a good draw and should improve on a poor run at Moe, and Cosmic Charger placed at Donald and is a longer price.
Selections:
- Brutal World - $5.00
- Yellowknife - $8.00
- Ranakye - $5.00
- Cosmic Charger - $10.00
Race 7 - Bet365 Bet Boost BM56 Handicap (1454m)
Selection: Galant Knight Current odds: $4.80
Galant Knight resumes after 22 weeks, but he won first-up last preparation and also won a trial during this break. He has the inside draw and Nadia Daniels rides. Ataegina was only just beaten on a heavy track at Seymour and is the main danger. Pomah has won at Geelong this campaign, and Brutify should be on the speed.
Selections:
- Galant Knight - $4.80
- Ataegina - $4.80
- Pomah - $6.50
- Brutify - $5.00
Race 8 - Benbatl @ Woodside Park BM56 Handicap (1856m)
Selection: Habitual Current odds: $3.20
Habitual won at Warracknabeal two runs back and ran on well for midfield at Swan Hill last time. The longer trip should suit him. Just Swift was beaten narrowly at Donald and has won on the synthetic at Ballarat this preparation. Catalona ran second at Echuca and finishes well, and Great Prosperity has placed three times from five runs this time in.
Selections:
- Habitual - $3.20
- Just Swift - $5.50
- Catalona - $8.50
- Great Prosperity - $12.00
Race 9 - Rich Enuff @ Woodside Park BM56 Handicap (1103m)
Selection: Money Honey Current odds: $4.00
Money Honey backs up within a week and has blinkers on for the first time. Her fourth on a heavy track at Warrnambool was a decent effort and she should go well. Lady Maestro led all the way to win at Tatura last start. Please Me Do made up ground at Tatura, and Do It Now won last start and has good form on soft ground.
Selections:
- Money Honey - $4.00
- Lady Maestro - $5.00
- Please Me Do - $7.00
- Do It Now - $10.00
