The Insider – Australian Analysis April 9 Edition

The Governors Cup will be the last hit-out for Magnificent Storm and Mighty Ronaldo before next week’s The Nullarbor.

In addition to the Friday night Gloucester Park feature, other highlights in Australia this week include the Mildura Pacing Cup and Menangle’s Golden Easter Egg for 3YO fillies.

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Gloucester Park (Friday, April 10)

Race 5

This is the final stop before the $1.25 million The Nullarbor at Gloucester Park on April 17. Two contenders for The Nullarbor line up in the Group 3 Governors Cup (2130m) and it is Magnificent Storm who is the short-priced favourite. He is chasing a fifth straight win this preparation after capturing the Village Kid Sprint, Pinjarra Cup, Mount Eden Sprint and Bunbury Cup. Mighty Ronaldo is the other Nullarbor contender in this event and he has been placed at his last two starts.

Expecting early speed from FRANCO ENCORE NZ (1) and HUGOTASTIC NZ (4), while TUALOU NZ (2), ROCKANDROLLARTIST (7) and MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (8) are the others that could show speed if asked. HUGOTASTIC NZ (4) is probably the only horse that would consider holding out MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (8). Early tactics are going to be very interesting.

FRANCO ENCORE NZ (1) has excellent gate speed and the first plan would be holding the early challengers and handing over to MAGNIFICENT STORM NZ (8). This scenario would give FRANCO ENCORE NZ (1) very strong place claims as his recent form is good. He was a winner four starts back in easier company and his second in the Mount Eden Sprint (1684m) behind Magnificent Storm is exactly what the Ryan Bell stable would love to walk away with here.

Selections: 8-1-4-11

FRANCO ENCORE NZ (1) to place

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Mildura (Saturday, April 11)

Race 5

The Listed Mildura Pacing Cup (2600m) sees a cracking field assembled following Tuesday night’s heats. The first heat was captured by local trainer Andrew Vozlic as My Ultimate Jimmy led all the way, rating 1:56.7 for the 2190m. Driven by Alex Ashwood, the four-year-old gelding won by 2.3m from Isthisjustfantasy while Forty Love finished in third place. The second heat was a thrilling three-way finish with Emma Stewart’s Fox Dan narrowly denying stablemate Captain Perfect. Jilliby Nitro was third and fired in a protest for second which was dismissed.

A very competitive contest here where MY ULTIMATE JIMMY NZ (4) will be hoping to lead early and from there driver Alex Ashwood will have options. CAPTAIN PERFECT (9) returned two starts ago with a Melton win over 1720m. In the heat, he made a move to the breeze and was beaten a head by FOX DAN (8). Both Emma Stewart runners have strong claims in the Cup and I give the slight nod to CAPTAIN PERFECT (9) but there’s almost nothing between the pair.

JILLIBY NITRO (10) will be looking to track them in the race and will be hoping they both don’t make an early or mid-race move which could leave him stranded back in the field. MY ULTIMATE JIMMY NZ (4) was a good heat winner, although the final has way more depth and I am not sure if he’s ready to handle it just yet. ISTHISJUSTFANTASY (11) is next best.

Selections: 9-8-10-4

CAPTAIN PERFECT (9) to win

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Menangle (Saturday, April 11)

Race 5

A small field of seven runners will line up in the Golden Easter Egg (1609m) for 3YO fillies. The David Hewitt-trained and driven Sparkling Sea is the dominant favourite despite a lacklustre performance when sixth as a $1.15 favourite in the Gold Bracelet Final won by Willows Girl. She gets a chance to atone in the Golden Easter Egg. Key contenders in the race are Perfectdelight for Robbie and KerryAnn Morris, Yirradiva for Brad Hewitt and Fake Friends for the lethal combination of Jason Grimson and Cam Hart.

It could certainly be a bounce back for the highly talented SPARKLING SEA (2) but it would hard to butter up at $1.35 after her recent defeat. FAKE FRIENDS (7) should fly the gate and is the most likely leader. At her first run for Grimson, she led all the way in an easier race to win in 1:51.9, 54.6. YIRRADIVA (4) is smashing the clock right now and she was hitting the line as well as anything in the Gold Bracelet Final when finishing fourth. Harrison Ross picks up the drive and will watch things unfold before making a move.

Selections: 4-7-2-3

YIRRADIVA (4) to win

FAKE FRIENDS (7) to win

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For complete race fields, click here.

by Trent Orwin for Harnesslink

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