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The ever-dangerous combination of Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman can strike with the resuming Encosta Line at the Beaumont track today.
The blue-blooded galloper returns in the Coca Cola Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1350m as a gelding and that could be the making of him this campaign.
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Encosta Line took a while to break his maiden but achieved the feat two runs back following a string of promising placed performances in the city.
The Canterbury win over 1550m in October saw the three-year-old step up to Saturday grade and he wasn’t disgraced with a 2.8L fourth to stablemate Montauk at his final run before a break.
Gelded during his time away from the track, he has had two solid barrier trials to prepare for his return and was given a quiet time in both hitouts in typical Waller fashion.
All of Encosta Line’s runs have been in the city so he will appreciate provincial grade today and he has placed fresh in the past.
The booking of Bowman is key as he has been aboard Encosta Line five times for four top-three finishes including the Canterbury win and the pair should receive all the favours in the run from gate two.
The danger could come from another Sydneysider, Jason Coyle’s in-form mare Storm Siren.
The four-year-old will be hard fit after three runs from a break and all have been good including a win at this track and distance two runs back.
She since travelled to Brisbane for a good second at Doomben, again at this trip, but it is worth noting her last two efforts have been on heavy tracks and all four of her career wins have come on rain-affected surfaces.
Craig Carmody’s Taltarni has been making good progress this campaign with top three finishes at her last four runs including a win at this track and distance and another victory at Doomben over the same journey.
She stepped up to city grade last time and produced a solid third placing and is drawn to get a cushy run from gate one.
Tanita hit the line well to win here last time and should be open to further improvement today third up from a break.
That was her first appearance at this track and has a positive record at this distance.