David Braithwaite
SALE Turf Club will host an eight-race program at Greenwattle Racecourse on Friday.
Good weather this week had the track rated ‘good four’ on Thursday morning.
The first race, the 2200 metre maiden plate, is scheduled for 1.30pm. Among the chances will be Paris Pike, who was second at Yarra Valley last month over 1968m after a slow start.
Winless from 18 starts, Doom Star, trained by Jackson Pallot at Bairnsdale, finished second at Stony Creek last week (2100m).
In race two, the 1100m two-year-old maiden plate, Tramontana, trained by Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes, finished a promising second in his debut run at Pakenham last month.
After finishing fifth at Moonee Valley last start, Sweet As Scandi will step back in class for race three, the 1200m maiden for three-year-old fillies, having placed second over the distance at Yarra Valley in December.
In race four, the 1400m maiden plate, Perfect World, from the Freedman stable, has four second placings from her seven starts, including at Sale last month over 1200m, where the filly just failed to run down the leader.
Entered in race five, the benchmark 58 handicap over 1600m, Rejpipla finished second on a heavy track at Werribee last start, but doesn’t mind firmer tracks either. Before her four-week break, Manning Road placed third at Yarra Valley, although the journey of today’s race may be a little short.
For race six, the benchmark 58 handicap over 2200m, Fintona Queen showed late speed to win and place second in her previous two runs at Mornington. The second over 2050m was promising, as the mare only just missed out on victory.
Danluca won at Moe (2400m) for Pallot last month following a second placing at Mornington (2430m).
Cyclone Sally returns from a 14-week spell in race seven, the 1100m benchmark 58 handicap. The four-year-old mare was given every chance to win at Cranbourne last start, finishing fifth, while in her prior preparation, had back-to-back wins on soft tracks.
Kingstar Amber had back-to-back second placings over a similar distance to today’s race.
The final race of the day, the 1400m benchmark 58 handicap at 5pm, appears to be an open race, with no outstanding form.
Top weight Lodestar has potential, as does Elvaric, who finished second at Mornington for Sale trainer Susie Wells before a fifth placing at her home track last start.
SCHWEINSTEIGER, trained at Sale by Damien Walkley, finished third in the 1800m handicap at Sandown on Wednesday.
The six-year-old gelding, ridden by Arron Lynch, for much of the race followed Comanche Brave, who sprinted away to win.
Schweinsteiger was relegated to third place late in the race.
The gelding has also had second and fourth placings at Pakenham this preparation.
