3 minute read
A repeat of her last run would see Loves Long Journey go close in today's Interpath Welcomes Back Jake Noonan Handicap (race 7) at Ballarat.
The mare, prepared by Rick Page at Geelong, turned in a top effort in a strong form race last start and looks hard to beat on that effort as she drops to this RB68 over a mile.
The mare placed three times on end, the most recent here in this class, before tackling easier grade over a mile at Ararat where she carried 57kg to an easy win after sitting just off the leader.
She then returned here for the rich Gold Nugget against the open class males.
Drawing wide she strode across the field and took the lead, turning there and kicking strongly.
She boxed on well in the straight to finish sixth, beaten only a couple of lengths behind Tiakinui, who then went on to win the Seymour Cup the following start.
Loves Long Journey rises in the weights today but drops well back in grade.
The trip suits, the track suits and she has drawn well in barrier seven for Linda Meech, who was aboard when she won two starts back.
A repeat of her last run would prove hard to beat in this class.
Interesting runners are Paparazzi Princess and Gold Bridian, who are both last start winners but on heavy ground.
Paparazzi Princess, prepared by Robert Smerdon, was runner-up in town two starts back over 1500m at Betfair Park Lakeside before tackling this grade over a mile at Mornington, where she led throughout for a comfortable win.
The mare drops in weight for this race after the claim but has drawn wide in barrier 13.
She rates highly but worth noting all three of her wins have been on slow to heavy ground.
Gold Bridian, in the Bill and Simon Wilde stable, is in the same boat.
The mare won her debut on a heavy track by 5.5 lengths then was thereabouts at her next start before a spell.
Fresh-up this time in she took up the running over 1400m at Terang and kept going, winning by eight lengths.
While she is fitter again and a mare on the up all three runs have been in heavy ground so she strikes firmer footing for the first time today.
Riverina's Girl, prepared by Nikki Burke, will be ridden by the none other than the comeback kid himself, Jake Noonan, and she looks a solid chance.
The mare was runner-up here over 1200m when fresh before finishing fifth in this grade over 1300m last time.
She drops back to fillies and mares grade and although drawn wide should be hard to hold out over the longer journey.