CONSISTENT galloper Western Hero could stamp himself as the favourite to take out the state’s top two-year-old award if he can emerge triumphant in the Denis Ryan Memorial Autumn Classic over 1200 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart today (Sunday).
Western Hero won the first juvenile feature race of the season in Hobart, The Alexandra Plate (900m) and two weeks ago he gave his rivals a galloping lesson to win the $30,000 Autumn Classic over 1100m.
The Terry Evans-trained gelding also was very competitive ion two other feature races so punters are likely to respect that form and send him around the popular elect.
There are, however, other genuine winning chances in the race including Smart Catch, Keep The Cash, Wise Investment and Al’s Birthday.
The Gary White-trained Smart Catch was purchased at the Melbourne Premier sale for $110,000 by David and Louise Adams and she has already proven herself a worthwhile investment with two wins from only three starts.
She won on debut and after finishing fifth in the Gold Sovereign Stakes behind the Anthony Freedman-trained Cheyenne Warrior, beaten only 2.3 lengths.
Smart Catch’s most recent win in Launceston was full of merit and she only has to take that form into this race to be a genuine winning chance.
Keep The Cash, prepared at Broadmarsh by Brendan McShane, is unbeaten from two starts and both wins have been very impressive.
The gelded son of Keep The Faith won on Hobart Cup day in a 2YO maiden over 1100 metres and he followed up with an even more impressive performance to win in Launceston over the same journey late mast month.
Wise Investment is prepared by Michael Voss and she has finished second at her only two tries with her first effort behind Zada Princess and her latest behind the highly promising Bundaleda in Launceston last Wednesday week.
Al’s Birthday (Tough Speed-Georgia Lauren) debuted two weeks ago with a second to Western Hero in the Autumn Classic so he obviously has ability and will be improved by his only appearance at the races
The Welshman and Our Clangalang are not without a chance to fill a minor placing at odds.