3 minute read

Neil Godbolt mudlark La Hdood can take advantage of a wet Taree track today when he lines up in the Benchmark 59 Hannam Vale Cup (1312m).

The race has been weakened by a number of key scratchings including that of Pompidou who looked La Hdood’s biggest danger until this morning.

He’s certainly no star this six-year-old, but neither is any of his opposition and this looks his perfect kind of race.

He has a very solid record at this track having won twice and placed five times from 10 starts.

He also comes into this off a solid last-start win at Port Macquarie over 1506m where he hit the front 150m from home and forged ahead for a comfortable win.

The run produced a weight-adjusted Timeform figure of 72 which looks about good enough to win this.

He carries 59kg again today which is what he lugged at Port Macquarie last start and the wide gate shouldn’t bother him too much given he often likes to get back in his races.

The drop back to this trip probably isn’t ideal at this stage of his campaign, but given the state of the track it’ll probably resemble more of a 1500m race anyway.

From 14 starts in the wet he’s managed an impressive three wins and eight minor placings.

I’m expecting him to add to that record today.

Clunes Rocket is potentially the biggest danger, although the wet track might well scupper his chances.

He comes into this off a solid win here two weeks back in Class 3 grade over 1250m.

He settled just off the pace and chased solidly coming for home before hitting the front late on to salute for the third time in his career.

The run produced a weight-adjusted figure of 73, and he looks open to further improvement today third-up despite the extra weight.

Barrier 13 is certainly a concern but there’s been a few scratchings which will help him out.

The four-year-old has won two races here in the past, although the 1300m hasn’t been an ideal trip for him in the past

In any event, he looks one to keep safe off that last-start showing.

Blinkin Rules is the other one worth keeping safe today.

He finished 1.8L off in tougher here two weeks ago returning a figure of 68, but it was his performance the run prior which has him well placed here.

He was only two lengths off in open grade at Port Macquarie behind Leviosa and that run produced a weight-adjusted figure of 77.

From barrier three claiming 1.5kg, he can run a solid race.