In Brief
- Fitzwilliam faces task with big weight.
- Bandinelli has overcome setback to run off an eight-week break.
- Last-start winner and speedsters can cause upset in open race.
The opening race on the seven-event card in Devonport on Sunday is a benchmark 60 handicap over 1009 metres that could present punters with a bit of a dilemma.
Fitzwilliam is the form horse over the trip, having won his last two, but despite a 1.5kg claim for in-form apprentice Kyle Maskiell, the Stuart Gandy-trained gelding will still lug 61.5kg and he is not an overly big horse.
Bandinelli impressed with a game second at his Tasmanian debut behind the highly promising three-year-old Warrior Prince eight weeks ago, but he has had to overcome a minor setback and goes into the race lacking race fitness.
Loki Patera has speed to burn and looms as the likely leader and should he secure a couple of cheap sectionals he could emerge triumphant without surprising.
Add last start winner Gee Gee Ladybird and the speedy Limerick City to the mix and we have the ingredients for a very competitive race.
Galway Girl looms as one of the best bets on the program, having won at her past two outings on the synthetic over 1350m and she gives the impression she will relish stepping up to 1650m in race six, the Toorak Toff at Kingsley Park Stud Benchmark 74.
The mare’s trainer Graeme McCulloch purchased her as a potential broodmare but the daughter of I Am Invincible moved on from her first-up fourth to win at her next two outings, the latest in Devonport last Sunday over 1350m.
Galway Girl hit the line powerfully last week to suggest she could relish stepping up to 1650m on Sunday and she also drops in weight as she is stepping up considerably in grade.
The mare won carrying 55.5kg last week with apprentice Brandon Louis in the saddle but she drops to the minimum of 54kg on Sunday courtesy of Louis’ 2kg claim.
The wide draw (8) is of little concern as she has natural early speed that Louis should utilise early to find a forward sport and then save her for a sprint at the business end.
For those taking quadrellas, the last of seven is wide open and will probably require multiple runners, with Banca Syd, last-start winner Gaius Julius and Stanfield Carus the best winning hopes in a field of nine.
Watch Fitzwilliam score impressively in a class 3 handicap in Devonport last start.