Jumps fans will enjoy six races over obstacles at Hamilton on Tuesday. It is a terrific sign of the health of the sport that the maiden hurdle has been divided into three, which means more jumping races to bet on!
Hamilton is a terrific jumping track where every horse gets their chance. There is some rain forecast for Monday and Tuesday which means the track should be soft, but likely not enough to push it into the heavy range. In other words, perfect ground for jumping!
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Race 1 – Maiden Hurdle (3200m), 11.10am
This is clearly the weakest division of the maiden hurdles and I’m happy enough to risk the favourite I Arize on debut at $2.50 in early markets. Hakuna Matata is the top pick for me. She comes off a solid second placing at Casterton and if she is ever going to win a race, this is surely the one. The major danger for mine is Fort Charles. He’s a handy enough flat performer and I thought his trials were very good.
Strategy: Back Hakuna Matata.
Race 2 – Maiden Hurdle, 3200m (11.50am)
This is a very strong maiden hurdle. I haven’t been able to watch the trials of Astral Knight but I am very wary. He’s been $5.00 into $3.70 since markets opened. However, he will need to be very good to beat the more experienced Tolemac and especially Mighty Oasis. I’m with the latter here, especially at the price. It took Count Zero to beat him on debut and the form out of that race has been particularly strong.
Strategy: Back Mighty Oasis.
Race 3 – Maiden Hurdle, 3200m (12.30pm)
I think this is a race in two between Killourney and Twin Spinner. Twin Spinner opened at a massive price and he is still incredible value at $10 at the time of writing. I think he is closer to a $4.00 chance. As is typical of a Paddy Payne galloper he hasn’t been asked to do much in the trials but his last hurdle run in New Zealand was excellent. I would have loved a heavy track for him but it should be wet enough. Killourney is the major danger, he was sent out odds on at Warrnambool and lost his chance when he jumped one badly in the back straight, he certainly can win but $1.80 is unders.
Strategy: Back Twin Spinner.
Race 4 – Open Hurdle, 3200m (1:10pm)
Prepared to give Roland Garros one more chance here. He was a forgive run when he got into a speed battle with Hush Writer last time at Casterton. The wetter the better for him. Hey Happy has strong claims, albeit he is well found in the market. Hard to back Big Blue off what he has done of late.
Strategy: Back Roland Garros.
Race 5 – 0-114 Steeplechase, 3400m (1:50pm)
Zedstar comes off a third placing in an Australian Hurdle prior to this. Admittedly he is still a maiden over obstacles but he will never get a better chance than in this very ordinary affair. Should be a mile too good. I’m surprised Under The Bridge is as short as he is, it will be interesting to see if he gets a run as first emergency. Hopefully, because it means a better price about Zedstar.
Strategy: Back Zedstar.
Race 6 – Open Steeplechase, 3400m (2:30pm)
I wouldn’t be too surprised by anything winning here but Historic is a deserved favourite. It usually takes him a few runs to find his best and he should be at peak fitness now. Yes, he was beaten a long way behind Elvison last start but he was giving him weight. This is a much easier race and Steve Pateman takes over in the saddle on one he trains.
Strategy: Back Historic.
