3 minute read
Progressive galloper Donovans can continue his sparkling form for his new yard in today's Elantra Handicap (race 7) at Flemington.
The lightly raced four year tackles the mile for the first time today but the way he's been going lately, with three wins from his last four runs, he should acquit himself well again.
Formerly prepared by Mick Price, Donovans hasn't put a foot wrong in four starts for the Shea Eden yard.
He won fresh up for his old stable, claiming his maiden, then was fifth at Ballarat at his next two starts before changing camps to be prepared at Cranbourne by Eden.
His first start for his new yard was over 1300m at Pakenham where he tackled a heavy track with 60kg and after settling off the speed strode to the lead in the straight and ran away with an effortless win.
He then stepped up to 1400m at Caulfield on top of the ground.
Settling on the inside just off the lead, he angled into the clear on the bend and again ran on for a strong win.
Down to Warrnambool over 1400m he struck slow ground and settled second.
Angling to the centre of the track with the rest of the field, he forged to the lead in the straight but in turn was claimed out wider by the swoopers in better going. He boxed on well for fourth in another good run and in a top form race.
Last start, to 1500m for the first time at Sandown Hillside, he jumped best and led early being rider Noel Callow handed up and held him together.
Regaining the lead on the bend, he angled out wide to better ground and was there to be run down but wouldn't be denied., lifting strongly to score a head win.
Today's race is tougher and he gets to a mile for the first time but he looks up to the challenge as he has so aptly proven in recent runs.
Dwayne Dunn has the ride today and he should be close to the lead from an ideal draw.
The Anthony Cummings trained Bellissimo couldn't match Donovans last time but does look a great each way chance here.
The gelding resumed here up the straight on heavy ground and boxed on well after sitting third, finishing fifth in a good form race behind Rebel Truce.
He then stepped up to 1300m at Sandown Hillside and after sitting just off the leaders worked to the line strongly to score a head win in another good form race behind Guru Bob.
Last start, over 1500m there, he pulled his way to the front and sat just ahead of Donovans before turning second and fading out of it to finish sixth.
There's no doubt jockey Damien Oliver will try to give him a better run with cover this time and he is suited by the longer journey and fitter.
He meets the winner two kilos better and will give his backers a big sight at each way odds today.
Ladramahs has hit the line hard his last two runs and on the big track here will be hard to stop again.
The gelding went to a mile two back at Sandown Hillside and after settling near last powered home to finish third, beaten less than a length behind Means A Lot.
He then raced there over 1800m and turned in a similar run, charging home late to finish third.
He was beaten a long way latest but today looks nicely placed with the minimum weight.
Over the shorter trip he will no doubt be back in the field again but will be launching his claim strongly in the run home.
Seguro, who has given a sight at his last couple of runs, find a tougher race today but drops significantly in weight.
He is down 8kg on a last start placing and will take running down with nothing on his back today.
