3 minute read

A significant drop in grade can give House Of Stars a deserved victory at Echuca this afternoon.

House of Stars runs in races seven on the card, a benchmark 58 over 2124 metres.

House Of Stars comes in to today’s contest with consistent form lines, placing in four of her last five outings but it is important to note that all of those were in higher graded races.

That includes last start when she stepped up to a benchmark 78 for a third at Sawn Hill after finishing runner-up at the same track on a benchmark 70.

Those efforts returned Timeform ratings that are among the best achieved recently in this line-up while she also has one of the highest career peak figures.

House Of Stars has placed at four of five attempts at this journey so there are no concerns about her running it out strongly and she is aided by the 2kg claim of Tahlia Hope, a jockey who has ridden the mare once for a second placing.

House Of Stars was beaten less than a length at this course and distance three runs back and with a proven ability to handle wet tracks looks well suite din today’s line-up.

The danger looks to be the topweight Cisco Delago after finishing runner up at two of his last three runs.

That included a second placing at this course and distance three runs back when he narrowly beat House of Stars home but finished four lengths behind her at their latest clash.

Since then Cisco Delago was nosed out over 2050m at Wangaratta and has only once missed a place in seven heavy track runs so will be suited by today’s conditions.

Shelbyville could be an improver returning to Echuca having won previously at this course.

He has been racing at shorter distances at his last couple but won his only other try at this trip so that could also spark an improved performance.

Beau Padrille is a query runner taking a big step up in distance.

He had been racing over sprint journeys before stepping up to the mile last time so the market might be the best guide to his prospects attempting a staying trip for the first time.

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