Image: Jeff Hanson.
Craig Weeding is eyeing a busy four days at the races, taking runners to Albury on Saturday, Seymour on Sunday, Kilmore on Monday, and Ballarat on Tuesday.
Leading the stable’s charge at Albury is the well-placed Ruperts Red Rocket, which is set to carry 63kg in the 1600m Benchmark 66 Handicap, where he is good value at $9.50.
Jake Duffy takes the ride on the 7YO Dream Ahead gelding that has been racing in great form this preparation.
Resuming in May, Ruperts Red Rocket has since started nine times for a win and five placings, and four starts back, prevailed in the 1300m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Wodonga on August 5, where he carried Jake Duffy and 62kg to victory.
Since then, the Wangaratta galloper has placed in each start. Two starts back, he ran a close second in the Griffith Cup (1350m) on September 13 before a last-start third at Benalla on September 26 in the 1606m Benchmark 62 Handicap.
At Benalla, Ruperts Red Rocket raced in last for Duffy and finished strongly, suggesting he’s primed for another considerable effort at Albury, where he has drawn kindly with gate 3.
On a potentially exciting day for the stable, Weeding will have at least three debutants going around.
Apple Eyes (Jake Duffy, 55kg) is a recent Wangaratta trial winner who has drawn gate 2 in the 1175m Maiden Plate.
The 3YO Knights Examplar filly is out of Pineapple, who produced three-time winner Bromelia.
Another Wangaratta trial winner and first-starter, Swift Artie (55kg), is in the race, along with the tried Springer Time (gate 17), but neither stablemate has a jockey named.
Fellow debutants Dunnenkate Bro (Cassidy Hill, 52.5kg) and Snapshot (Jake Duffy, 55kg) are slated to make their respective debuts in the 900m Maiden Plate.
Dunnenkate Bro is a 3YO Redente gelding, out of five-time winner Operose, which was coincidentally raced by Weeding and one of his first winners.
The 3YO has been well-educated with five jumpouts, including a nice last-start trial win at Tatura on October 1, and from gate 5, will have Cassidy Hill in the saddle.
Snapshot is another 3YO by Holler, out of Shutter Bug – a four-time winner and the dam of stablemate and race winner, Paparrazo, and four-time winner and the metropolitan performer, Lensman.
With Jake Duffy down to ride after connections drawn gate six, there will be some confidence, with Snapshot also a winner of two jumpouts, including a nice one-length victory at Tatura on October 1.
Albury kicks off a busy four days, where Weeding and his stable could have up to 18 starters.
Claymore Mine (Daniel Stackhouse, 59.5kg) appears Weeding’s best chance at Seymour on Sunday, with the 5YO Rich Enuff mare second-up in the 1400m Benchmark 70 Handicap with stablemates Smart Poppy (Rhys McLeod, 60.5kg) and Yam (Jake Duffy, 60kg).
Claymore Mine has won four of 15 races, including back-to-back wins on the Ballarat synthetic earlier this year.
Following a spell, she raced first-up at Benalla on September 26, finishing a nice third, beaten less than a length in the $100,000 Country Series Heat 1406m Benchmark 70 Handicap.
At Kilmore on Monday, some promising Weeding Racing runners are resuming or are early in their preparations and will be worth following.
Last-start Benalla placegetter Cresta Crystal (Jake Duffy, 57kg) takes on the 1200m Maiden Plate, Perfume River (Jake Duffy, 59kg) resumes in the 1450m Benchmark 56 Handicap, and Amber Star (Jake Duffy, 60.5kg) and Controversial Miss (Casidy Hill, 53kg) contest the 1200m No Metro Wins Restricted Handicap.
At Ballarat on Tuesday, Ashau Valley is an interesting runner.
Coming out of the same $100,000 Country Series Heat 1406m Benchmark 70 Handicap at Benalla on September 26 as Claymore Mine, Ashau Valley (Logan McNeil, 60.5kg), ran an eye-catching second.
The 5YO Outreach gelding contests the 1600m Benchmark 70 Handicap at Ballarat.
Recent Cootamundra Cup placegetter Maid In Dubai (Jake Duffy, 56.5kg) also takes on the race and is a chance on her best form.
Also at Ballarat, Paparazzo, a good chance, will strip fitter following a decent fourth at Wagga when first up in a 1200m Class Three Handicap at Wagga on September 29.
Jake Duffy is in the saddle and connections have drawn gate 1 with Paparazzo, who is set to be a major player in the 1200m Benchmark 56 Handicap.
Albury tips – Saturday, October 11
Race 1: #4 Dunna Runna
Race 2: #1 Sonic Scene
Race 3: #13 Justwatchher
Race 4: #1 Ruperts Red Rocket
Race 5: #14 Snapshot
Race 6: #2 Foreman’s Gully
Race 7: #2 Golden Warrior
