3 minute read
Honest galloper Better Not Doubt can continue his good form in today's Carlton Mid Handicap (race 7) at Coffs Harbour.
Prepared at Port Macquarie by Neil Godbolt, Better Not Doubt has two wins and three seconds from his last five runs and looks hard to hold out fresh in this Benchmark 70 over 1300m.
Five runs back the gelding won over 1400m in this grade at Grafton when sitting second throughout but drawing clear over the final stages.
He was then kept fresh as he dropped back to 1200m at Taree, sitting off the speed before running on hard for a length second.
Here over 1500m in a Benchmark 65, he had a big weight and wide gate and after sitting midfield chimed in with a good run but was edged out on the line when a nose second.
Returning home for a Benchmark 72 over 1500m he struck a heavy track and sat third before drawing to the front and holding off the challengers with a length win.
Last start, back to 1200m at Newcastle, he carried 59.5kg in this grade and settled second last from the wide gate before running on hard to finish a nose second.
Godbolt has given the gelding a freshen up since then but he looks suited here over the 1300m journey and won't find this class any tougher.
At the course he has raced five times for two seconds and three placings and he has drawn well in barrier seven in today's big field.
He carries only half a kilo more weight today and does looks hard to hold out.
The Ross Stitt trained O'Dellini is also racing in good order and will take running down.
The lightly raced gelding has a good overall record including two wins and a second from his last three runs.
Three back over 1300m at home he led throughout to score a comfortable Class 3 win then led again next time in a Benchmark 65 over 1300m at Armidale when just beaten on the line.
Last start, back at home for a Class 3 over 1250m, he led throughout carrying 59.5kg for a comfortable win.
Today he meets tougher grade but does drop 2.5kg after the claim as a last start easy winner.
The gate hasn't helped his chances but he has good early speed and over this journey will take running down.
Clearaway is having his first start this area but his Victorian form reads well for this.
Fresh up he ran a solid fourth in similar grade over 1300m at Pakenham then was fifth over 1400m at Cranbourne when only warming up late.
He was then tested over more ground over 1800m at Caulfield and ran a solid race to settle midfield and hold his position there in fifth to the line.
Last start, back form a five week break, he dropped back to 1500m at Cranbourne and settled midfield before running on well into third.
He returns from a let up again here in slightly easier grade and despite a wide gate should be winding up strongly.
Dusty's Felt wasn't far away in the Walcha Cup at Armidale last time and on his previous honest form comes into contention for this.
He has recently placed in the Inverell and Gilgandra Cups so has the ability for this grade.
Hoist covered ground at Port Macquarie last time but from a better drawn here can feature at odds.
