Betsy's Best: Kyneton

Turf Talk

• The first Kyneton meeting since May; the rail is out 1m which is the ideal spot.
• Kyneton is a tricky track, with a short home straight. It is rarely a disadvantage to be on speed, but towards the back end of last season it was playing relatively well.
• Momentum is key, you need to be building momentum before the home bend, no matter where you are in the field.
• Firm-ish ground today means I will be advantaging those in the first four.

Race 3

Concede the market leader (3) Icaro has a chance on debut for Mick Kent. He has trialled quite well at Cranbourne, working to the line strongly in the latest 1000m hit-out, albeit in slow time. 1454m looks a good kick-off point for him, as suspect he will get further in time. Lachlan King is also a jockey that is generally more positive than not, so a good booking.

That said, I’m keen to have something E/W (13) Lawn Bowler. He has been gelded leading into his second campaign and jump-outs have been so much better than last campaign. He’s a galloper that will put himself on speed from a good draw and Eoin Walsh-Matt Cumani are a good team.

Betting suggestion: 1x3 E/W Lawn Bowler at $13.

Race 4

Good race. Good speed despite all the scratchings.

Always had a bit of time for (9) Intimeofneed. The wide draw is no real issue for her as she can be a touch slow at times and then builds through her revs to push forward. She won from a wide gate on a similar tight-turning track at Ararat last campaign when a touch slow and working forward. Her jump-outs this time in have been excellent. It’s a strong race than I was hoping she’d strike first up, but at $14+ have to have something each way.

The map horse is (2) Grinzinger Sun. She didn’t have a lot of luck first up at Bendigo but tracking a hot speed here should be awfully hard to beat. Billy Egan has won on her before and he’s riding well at the moment.

Betting suggestion: Backing (2) Grinzinger Sun at $4.20, 1x3 E/W Intimeofneed at $14