3 minute read
A return to his home track could be the catalyst for honest galloper Shoot Thru Blu to return to winning form in today's Game Farm Handicap (race 6) at Canberra today.
The locally prepared galloper, in the Mathew Dale yard, was in top form before racing in tougher grade at his last two but looks well placed returning home for this Benchmark 70 over 1206m on the Acton track.
The lightly raced four-year-old, with five wins form just nine starts, kicked off this campaign over 1000m on the Sapphire Coast and raced on the speed to score a narrow win in a Benchmark 60.
He then raced here on the turf over 1000m in a Benchmark 65 and after a poor start settled midfield. He turned there before running on hard to scoring a head win.
Up to 1200m here on the turf, in a Benchmark 65 again, he drew wide and went forward to the lead but didn't get his own way there. Turning in front he kicked strongly but was swamped late and faded to finish fourth.
Back to 1000m he had a big weight and settled back before running on hard in the slow conditions to score a length win.
Shoot Thru Blu then headed to town over 1100m at Canterbury Park for a non metropolitan winners race.
Drawing an outside gate he settled midfield but was caught three and four wide throughout.
Turning worse than midfield he stuck to his task well and worked home steadily to finish fourth, beaten 4.2 lengths behind Ain't She Grand.
Last start the gelding tackled a $70,000 Saturday class race at Hawkesbury over 1200m.
He drew better than the previous start and settled fifth on the inside but there he was stuck in a pocket.
Getting clear and switching around heels in the straight, he worked home strongly in the run home and finished fourth behind Malavio.
The gelding returns home for a much easier race today and has drawn okay.
He won his only start on the Acton track and although yet to win at 1200m his recent run suggests he can remedy that today.
Another local galloper General Jay Dee looks the biggest danger.
The gelding, from the Keith Dryden yard, resumed here in a Benchmark 80 on the turf track and boxed on well for fourth and beaten less than two lengths.
He then tackled the Burley Griffin Sprint, a 1200m open handicap, where he was third early before fading in the straight to finish eighth.
Heading to Wagga for the Town Plate Prelude, another tough open class sprint, he settled fifth on the inside but had little luck there and was held up until the final furlong before getting clear and charging home into second, beaten only a nose.
Last start, he returned to Wagga for a Benchmark 70 and after drawing the outside gate and settling back he eased to the middle of the track and powered home again, this time finishing a long neck third in what has proven a top form race behind Malambo.
While he tackles the same grade here he'll find an easier field and carries the same weight after the claim.
He is unbeaten in two runs on the all weather track including one at the trip.
The gelding has drawn wide but will be motoring home late on his recent form.
Glad You Called, another local, had her first try on the Acton course last time and although missing the placings was close up to the winner.
The mare resumed on the turf with a Benchmark 65 win over 1200m then raced here in similar grade over 1280m and boxed on well for fourth, beaten only three quarters of a length.
She has a nice weight and draw today and should give a bold sight.
Thereheiz has won two of his last three starts including the latest here.
He has a bit more weight this time as you'd expect but with a good gate and strong recent form he looks a top hope again.
From five runs on the Acton track he has two wins and three seconds so looks a great each way chance.
