3 minute read
A massive drop in class holds the most interest in the final race in today's Connally's Real Estate Handicap (race 8) at Kyneton.
Ra Ikane, prepared by Mick Kent a Cranbourne, took on none other than Australia's best horse in Black Caviar last start and faces an enormous drop in grade today to this RB62 handicap over1118m.
It's no surprise Kent had bigger things in mind for the lightly-raced gelding after his debut effort, which was over 1000m on his home track earlier this year.
Striding to the front he kept going around the bend and scored by an impressive six lengths in an excellent form race.
He then went straight to town for a 955m race at Moonee Valley and started the even money favourite.
Jumping well he strode up to share the lead but coming to the turn there were worrying signs as he was beaten off by the leader and lost his action, the rider virtually coasting home to finish second last and beaten nine lengths.
Both the rider and trainer believed he failed to handle the conditions.
Ra Ikane went for a long spell before Kent obviously had him ready to fire. He was scratched from three consecutive winnable races, two of which were in this class, before he re-appeared in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield.
Carrying 58.5kg under the weight for age conditions, the maiden winner carried 2kg more than 14 time winner Black Caviar.
Making his job even tougher he was slow to begin and settled last on the inside, before holding his ground in last place of the eight runners.
He finished just under 10 lengths form the champion mare, but given she beat second by 4.5 lengths he wasn't too far from the others.
It's not often a last place warrants making him a good thing next start but he does look to have a fair bit on this field if she can reproduce his debut effort.
Today he has a big weight and a wide gate but with Brad Rawiller aboard he should prove too slick for these.
The Daryl Brown-trained Zaeem is resuming and although may want slightly more ground he looks a leading each-way hope.
The gelding's form tapered off towards the end of his last campaign but prior to that it was very consistent including an 1100m win at Geelong and several placings.
The win was in RB58 grade where he got back but powered away for a soft win.
He followed that was a second placing over the same trip at Bendigo then a third there over 1300m in tougher grade than he meets today.
He turned in an ordinary effort on heavy ground in town next before a midfield finish over 1300m at Geelong in a showcase RB62 before a spell.
He does go well fresh and has good form at the trip, and today will be running on strongly.
Prussian Power is dropping in grade on recent efforts and it's worth noting he won an RB72 just three starts ago.
That was over 1000m at Pakenham where he ran on from well back.
He was then seventh in a showcase RB72 at Bendigo, making late ground from the tail, before battling on slow ground last start at Cranbourne again in an RB72.
He will find this much easier and should be hitting the line hard on the firmer footing today.
Call The Law was a fast finishing maiden winner last time and although facing a tougher assignment here should be getting home strongly again.