3 minute read
Handy mare Be Tolerant can return to winning form in a small field in today's Scott Petroleum Handicap (race 5) at Warrnambool.
The lightly raced mare, prepared at Horsham by Greg Baker, was a winner here three starts back but has had little luck since.
But in today's small field, over 1700m in this RB72, she should prove hard to beat in the slow conditions.
After finding 1400m too sharp fresh she improved sharply second up over a mile with a fast finishing win at Ararat.
She then headed to town over a mile at Moonee Valley and after settling midfield worked home soundly to finish eighth in a very good form race behind Serene Tanie.
Returning there over 2040m next start she raced on the speed and turned second but faded in the straight to finish fourth behind Umatain in another good form race.
She returned to country racing next, here over 2011m, and after settling fourth jockey Holly McKechnie put the mare into the race on the turn and ran on for a comfortable win.
Next start was over 2000m in this grade at Stawell, where she settled third on the inside with a good run but when trying to get off the rail on the turn got into a bumping dual with another runner.
That knocked the wind out of her sails as she lost momentum and finished fourth behind Bold Trojan in what has become a very good form race.
She was then freshened before dropping back to a mile at Stawell and had little luck again.
Missing the kick, she settled last on the inside but hooked wide in the straight with a lot of work to do.
She made good ground but couldn't bridge the gap in the dash home and finished sixth, beaten only 1.5 lengths behind Persian Palace in a race that has already provided another winner.
Be Tolerant will be fitter again and is suited by the slightly longer journey.
She has raced at Warrnambool twice for a win and a second and the second was over this trip when she was a luckless run form a very wide gate in a big field during last year's three day carnival.
She appreciates the softer tracks, she drops in weight by 2kg on her last start and from gate two and a better start she'll be prominent throughout.
Regular rider Holly McKechnie stays aboard and she looks the horse to beat today.
The veteran galloper O'Reilly's Clock doesn't win out of turn these days but is racing well and is suited here.
The nine year old's best days in stakes grade are behind him but he is more than capable in this grade and looks hard to hold out.
Three starts ago, the gelding resumed over 1400m with 59.5kg at Terang and after he was taken to the front held his rivals at bay to score a determined fresh up win.
He then headed to town over 1400m at Sandown Lakeside and bombed the start, settling towards the tail and racing there throughout before finding trouble in the straight.
He passed a few runners but was a well held 12th.
He then stepped up to 1600m at Hamilton with 60kg in this grade.
There he settled second last on the inside and managed to get off the fence on the turn before working home steadily to finish sixth, beaten 3.8 lengths behind Owners Priority.
Today he faces a similar line up but carries slightly less weight.
The softer track suits and although yet to win beyond a mile he gets his chance in today's small field on the big course where he will be winding up late.
Asphalt Jungle and Lady Brolga look the only other two realistic hopes.
Asphalt Jungle probably wants further but did run a big race fresh from a long spell over 1400m at Mount Gambier where he placed.
He has an excellent second up second, is on his home track, is well placed over the longer trip and can only be fitter. He certainly wouldn't shock.
Lady Brolga on the other hand is at peak fitness but rising in grade.
She was runner up at Mount Gambier over a similar distance last time and with her light weight should give a bold sight.
