3 minute read
Honest galloper Jigsaws can measure up to open class in today's Schweppes Handicap (race 5) at Grafton.
The honest gelding, prepared at Casino by Leo Clapham, has been in top form lately and on the minimum can upstage his more seasoned but out of sorts rivals.
After some close calls Jigsaws broke through for an overdue win here in a Class 2 race four starts, kicking strongly on the speed and holding a head win.
There he carried 57kg and overcome a wide gate.
Next start was here in a Benchmark 60 where he again drew out and had a bigger weight.
He raced on the speed and fought on well again, this time finishing a three-quarter length third.
Next start, again here in a Class 3 over 1410m, he settled midfield before circling wider on the bend and striking the front, lifting strongly for a narrow win.
Last start, Clapham decided to send the four year old to Brisbane where he tackled a 1350m non metropolitan winners race at Doomben.
Settling fifth and turning just off the lead, he battled home well to finish fifth in the heavy conditions.
Today he returns to his favourite course where he has the minimum weight and has drawn ideally in barrier two.
He takes on the open class horses but has been racing very honestly and has a top record at the course and distance.
He looms as a top each way chance again.
Seasoned galloper Save A Buck hasn't won for a while but gets chance to show his best here.
The Trevor Hardy trained gelding was disappoint ting here two starts back then backed up a week later over 1100m in the Armidale Newmarket where he wasn't the best away and was always at the tail and then checked in the home straight before running on late to finish seventh.
He is better suited back to today's 1410m journey and has three wins and four minors at the course.
His best form puts him right into contention here and can do much better.
Dusty's Felt is racing well but coming well back in distance for this.
The Armidale trained gelding was a 1900m winner on his home course two back before tackling the Cup there last time and finishing a gutsy third.
He is three weeks between runs as he drops 500m in journey and does have a fairly honest record at the trip.
Capital Raising will be well fancied on her last start second here and should go close again.
The mare has mixed her form a little lately, placing at Port Macquarie before returning there next start and finishing 12th.
Last start, here over 1410m, she carried 52kg and after settling fourth early moved up to share the lead in the straight before finding one better in Never Doubt Me.
The claim helps again today to offset some of the bigger weight and she is suited at the track and trip.
She looks an each way hope again.
