Tena Koutou shooting for four
Belmont, Listed Drummond Golf Belmont Classic, $100,000, 2200m
Tena Koutou (Blackfriars) is shooting for four on the trot when he steps out here. The Adam Durrant-trained gelding was strong through the line last start over 2000 metres and looks set to relish the step up in trip here. Baronova (Fiorente {Ire}) won three in a row before finding herself luckless in transit in the Listed Belmont Oaks. Star hoop William Pike takes over from Jade McNaught and is certain to give his mount every chance in transit.
Tena Koutou winning the Listed Aquanita S.
Tradem’ In (Trade Fair {GB}) was well held by the aforementioned Tena Koutou last start over 2000 metres after peaking on his run. The rise in trip is a query but he is up to this class. Chili Is Hot (Gingerbread Man) was brave when winning the Listed Belmont Oaks by 0.1l. She’s a leading chance again but could be suspect over an extra 200-metre journey.
Impressive in two narrow defeats
Morphettville, Listed Oaklands Plate, $107,250, 1400m
Mac ‘N’ Cheese (Sebring) remains a maiden but has been most impressive in two narrow defeats to start her career. The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained filly presents at her third career start here and looks to get every chance in transit from barrier four. The Will Clarken-trained Bleriot (Divine Prophet) dominated her rivals two starts ago by 7l at Murray Bridge before failing to go on with the job at the same track and trip the following start.
Mac 'N' Cheese as a yearling
Bleriot draws superbly in barrier six and looks well placed here back to juvenile class. Stablemate Gosden (Not A Single Doubt) steps out for his second career start after putting together two nice trials. His debut performance was lacklustre, but he did plenty wrong there and looks to have corrected those issues this time around on the trial circuit. Tonneofgrit (Winning Rupert) broke his maiden at his second career start earlier last month before finishing fifth behind the high-class Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain).
