3 minute read
Lightly-raced galloper Perfect Pecs is worth another chance in today's Pea Co Handicap (race 8) at Donald.
The Anabaa entire struggled on a shifting track last time but in a moderate RB72 Showcase over 2000m gets the chance to atone today.
Leading up to his last start his form was excellent for a return to the country.
He resumed on heavy ground over 13400m at Cranbourne and ran on strongly to finish a close-up fourth.
He then raced on slow ground over a mile in town at Betfair Park Lakeside and after getting well back worked to the line well to finish a 2.9 length fifth behind Midnight Martini, who franked the form at her next start.
Perfect Pecs stepped up to 2000m at Flemington where he drew wide and slid across the field to sit fifth.
Coming into the turn he loomed up to third and from there battled away well, finishing sixth, beaten only a couple of lengths behind Midnight Martini again.
He might have had a slight issue after that before a month later he re-appeared over 1300m on the Lakeside track and although the trip was well short of his bets he got home well to finish third.
Straight back to 2000m in heavy ground at Seymour, he settled close to the speed and was there throughout but didn't let go in the straight, finishing last.
Jockey Lisa Cropp reported he didn't handle the track and he wasn't alone on the day.
Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy is happy to give him another go on today's heavy conditions as he has run well in slow and heavy in the past.
The small field suits, he should be able to roll forward and on any of his runs prior to last time he rates a clear best in this moderate line-up.
Musee Market is in top form and is a clear second pick.
Prepared by Greg Baker at Horsham, he was third on heavy ground over 2000m five back in a highweight handicap, then won over 1900m at Bordertown where he circled the field to score.
To 2200m at Geelong on the synthetic he raced third throughout and worked home well to score again.
Returning to Geelong two back he had a big weight and after sitting just off the pace ran on well but just missed, while last start, again at Geelong, he drew wide but slid across to third.
There throughout, he worked to the line well and just missed again.
Today's race is tougher but he drops in weight, has drawn well, is suited at the trip and gets through the ground.
Fine Calibre is racing well and looks suited as he gets to the longer journey.
Three back he raced over a mile at Warracknabeal and hit the line powerfully to score, before going back to 1400m at Warrnambool which he found way too short but did run on well.
Last start, back at Warrnambool but in a 1700m highweight, he proved way too good and ran on well to score.
The ground is no concern and he has always looked like he'd be a 2000m plus horse.
In top form today he gets the chance to prove it.
Flaming Moe was disappointing last time but his previous form was sound, he loves the track, the trip and conditions so is worth another go.