After a return to racing in the Red Centre a week ago, Ladbrokes Pioneer Park again plays host to a five-race card this Sunday. Some 38 horses have accepted for the fixture, with nine riders in attendance, including five jockeys currently based in the Top End. Victorian hoop Mark Pegus, for the second straight week, returns to Alice Springs and has three rides – he will no doubt be looking to add to his win of a week ago on Pioneer Sprint winner Supreme Attraction.
The feature is the last, the $25,000 Pioneer Park Anniversary Cup over 1400m for the open class gallopers. That’s Justified is the testing material in this, but will have plenty of opposition, primarily from stablemate Supreme Attraction, backing up from winning last week, AS Cup runner-up Desert Lass and Darwin Cup second placegetter Kaonic, on his way to the Top End again for Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer. That’s Justified is a real marvel and his record over this trip is outstanding – 16 starts, seven wins, five seconds and two thirds. He won over this trip at his most recent effort on 30 April and with the 3kg apprentice claim, gets in well here with 60.5kg.
The day’s other feature is the Colemans Printing Handicap for the 0-70 performers over 1000m. A field of seven has been assembled for this event, and Kerioth and Liberty Blue, who are the joint topweights with 61kg, are both good class gallopers and deserve to be well supported. Kerioth was a winner during the recent AS Cup Carnival, while Liberty Blue, now in the stable of Scott Whittle, put together a phenomenal run of five straight wins here late last year when prepared by Whittle’s sister, Lisa. He will have the benefit of Jade Hampson’s 2kg claim which will assist his chances. Others with a hope include Delago Lad, who got back to something like his best form here a week ago when second to Rock Of Kryptonite, and Esashi, who had a hat-trick of wins from January to March before a fourth and an unplaced effort on AS Cup Day.
The weather will be fine and warmer than last week – the forecast top temperature is 27 degrees, with just a little cloud about. The first on the card gets underway at 1.26pm (NT time), which is 1.56pm in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland, while the last on the programme is timed to go at a mid-afternoon time of 3.57pm (NT time), or 4.27pm in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland, to allow the Darwin riders and staff to catch the 5.20pm flight back to the Top End!
BEST BETS
R2, No.1 – KERIOTH
Capable galloper who has had a freshen-up since finishing sixth of 11 behind That’s Justified and company over 1400m on Cup Day. May be a little on the short side for the son of Zebedee, but with just six rivals and Pegus aboard, he has the class to take him a long way towards success. Has won six times from 22 starts, including three this track. Has yet to win over 1000m but was placed at his only attempt behind Pioneer Sprint runner-up Expert Witness on 1 April this year. Has 61kg to carry but as long as he gets a crack at the opposition in the straight, he can get the chocolates for AS Cup-winning trainer Dick Leech.
R5, No.1 – THAT’S JUSTIFIED
Class act who is coming off a last-start hard-fought win over this trip on AS Cup Day. Carried 62.5kg on that occasion and has been allotted just a kilo more here, however, the 3kg claim for Dakota Gillett will actually bring him in with a luxury impost of 60.5kg. Drawn the middle of the line and is likely to go straight to the front for his apprentice rider and will take plenty of running down. Looking for his 22nd career win at his 68th start, and will take his stakes to over $440,000 should he salute. The one to beat.
GIVE ANOTHER CHANCE
R1, No.3 – MANHATTAN MAN
Has had a few issues at the barrier but was on his best behaviour last week when finishing third to Brat and Bean Shoppin’ over 1200m. The drop back to 1100m should not be an impediment – he has won and been placed twice from six starts at the trip. Dan Morgan gets on well with the 4yo son of Manhattan Rain and has the mount again. Up against only four rivals and if he reproduces his performance of seven days ago, should take plenty of beating. Deserves a winning turn.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 3, 1, 2, 4
RACE 2 – 1, 4, 2, 5
RACE 3 – 6, 2, 4, 7
RACE 4 – 5, 1, 2, 3
RACE 5 – 1, 2, 4, 6
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