3 minute read
Handy galloper Stratcombe can make his Cranbourne debut a winning one in tonight's Browns Sawdust and Shavings Handicap (race 6).
The Mick Price trained gelding is having his first start at Cranbourne but is no stranger to night racing and looks hard to beat in this open handicap over 1200m.
Stratcombe was placed on debut at Caulfield then spelled, before returning in maiden grade over 1000m at Wangaratta and cruising away with a seven length win.
It was no surprise to see him return to town, tackling open three-year-old class at Caulfield where he went back from an outside gate.
Turning well back, he hit the line well to finish a two length third.
Back to easier grade over 1213m at Mornington, he drew a better gate and strode to the lead before again cruising away with a three length win.
Last run before a spell and his last as a three-year-olld, the then colt returned to town up the straight at Flemington and after leading up the crown of the track he faded badly and came in eighth.
While he was vetted and found okay, Price gave Stratcombe and spell and gelded him during his break.
He returned over 955m under lights at Moonee Valley in a heat of the 55 second challenge and ran close, coming form well back to finish runner up in a slick 55.68 seocnds.
He then returned there for another last start where he had a big weight and a wide gate but after being hunted up pulled out enough to score a 1.2 length win over Strike The Tiger.
The form from the two races has stacked up and although he faces open class here tonight he looks well placed dropping nicely in the weights, down 4.5kg on a last start win.
Regular rider Craig Newitt is aboard and unlike last time where he was forced to lead from the wide gate, he will be able to sit where he likes form gate three.
The extra ground is likely to suit and he rates clearly as the horse to beat.
The Peter Moody trained Light Brigade resumes from a spell and will appreciate the far easier grade tonight.
Group 1 placed in the Randwick Guineas at three, and fourth in the Rosehill Guineas next start, he failed to run out the 2400m of the AJC Derby at his final three-year-old run and was spelled.
Last spring he raced only three times and all three in stakes grade as well, finishing last on heavy ground in the Listed Show County Quality before finishing runner up on the firmer footing in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle.
He then stepped up to a mile at Randwick in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap and after settling midfield but wide lost his position around the turn and faded to finish well back.
He went for a long spell and resumed here without a trial.
While he was Group 1 placed over a mile his two wins remain at 1200m and 1300m.
One of the wins were fresh and this is by far the easiest class he's contestewd for some time.
He should be getting home hard tonight fresh.
Former Darwin galloper Far Horizons has sound form for this race and should measure up.
The eight year old, placed in the Palmerston Sprint last winter then resumed with a placing in the Durbridge Stakes in the spring.
He then went to Flemington and settled off the speed before fading out of it to finish 12th before another break.
Fresh up over 955m at Moonee Valley he ran a solid race behind the smart mare Kulgrinda when sent out big odds, finishing runner up.
He has a sound second up record and is better placed at this journey.
From a good gate tonight he has drawn for a good run again and looks an each way chance.
King Cobweb is resuming and might inject some value into the multiples with a good effort fresh.
He has trialled well, ran a strong race fresh up last campaign and from the inside gate here can run a big race at each way odds.
