3 minute read
Mr O’Ceirin proved a class above at the Valley last time and he looks well placed to repeat the dose this weekend at the same course and distance.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Mr O'Ceirin was assessed as being right at the top of his form last time, matching his placed effort in the Naturalism back in the spring, and he did it with what looked plenty in hand.
Currently rated 109+ a repeat of that form would likely see him prove too smart for his opposition again today but it is the prospect of more to come that makes him the meeting’s banker.
He’s marked long odds-on on our card and anything better than 1.85 should be snapped up confidently.
Earlier on the card another last start C&D winner appeals as a big chance of following up, with Pat Hyland’s Rock Princess rated top and a solid overlay in early markets.
As much as $5.50 is being bet around the traps and that represents a good gamble on a mare that has proven to hold her form when she finds it.
She produced her best piece of winning form here last time but is capable of better with her close up effort in the Stocks Stakes in the spring making for good reading here.
One of if not the highlight on the card is the third, an open handicap for fillies, with last start stakes-winners She Can Skate and Octavia taking on a good competitive group of fillies.
She Can Skate won in smart figures first up and did a good job to land the Creswick last time but did give the impression that 1200m is as far as she wants to go and at the top of the handicap today, in a good race, she may prove vulnerable.
She’s certainly short enough under 3/1 and those in her corner are entitled to be getting a better price than that with plenty of chances in the race.
The gap between her and Octavia alone looks too large.
THE MELBOURNE MAIL:
BANKER: Race 5 #1 MR O'CEIRIN @ $1.80
PLAY OF THE DAY: Race 4 #5 ROCK PRINCESS @ $5.50
LAY OF THE DAY: Race 3 #1 SHE CAN SKATE @ $2.75