Cranbourne will host Victoria’s major midweek meeting and eight races are on the program.
The rail will be left in the true position around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Soft (7) range.
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Race 1 – 12:10PM – Polytrack 2YO Fillies Maiden Plate, (1200m)
I’m going to open the day with a small each-way bet on Vancouver Magic.
She hasn’t been seen at the races since February and has contested just one race so far, but Vancouver Magic did return a decent effort to finish fourth, beaten three lengths by La Roque at Pakenham.
It is encouraging to heat that she reportedly flourished during her time away from the track and I will back her to make a winning return.
Race 2 – 12:50PM – Ivan’s Pies Maiden Plate, (1400m)
Stonefield has improved over his two starts back this time and he is ready to win at Cranbourne on Wednesday.
The Team Corstens-trained gelding finished second, beaten a nostril at Kilmore when resuming and was comfortably accounted for by Felix Fiorente last time, but was a clear second.
Fitter third-up and over this route, he’ll take plenty of beating.
Race 3 – 1:30pm – Browns Sawdust & Shavings Maiden Plate, (2025m)
I’m happy to give Lunares another chance to win at Cranbourne on Wednesday.
Lunares has continued to improve with each effort back from a spell, and she has finished a close-up second at each of her last three starts.
Getting out to 2025m looks ideal for her, and she might not be offered a better opportunity to break her maiden.
Race 4 – 2:10pm – Dirt Rock Civil BM64 Handicap, (2025m)
This is one of the better races on Wednesday’s Cranbourne program, but Aragon shapes as the runner to beat.
Aragon clearly needed the run when he failed to quicken and finished midfield here when resuming, and he was reasonably luckless in Class 1 company last time.
Fitter third-up, further out in trip and under Luke Currie, he looks beautifully placed.
Race 5 – 2:45pm – Frankston Mazda BM70 Handicap, (1000m)
I’m going to have an each-way play on Dratini in the fifth, at a lovely price ($21 at publish).
Dratini has had three starts since resuming this time, and while he is yet to trouble the winner on any occasion, he has clearly taken improvement from each hit-out.
It’s somewhat speculative, but he’s an above-average galloper at his best, and I am happy to roll the dice in a race that looks to be as open as this one.
Race 6 – 3:20pm – Obrien Real Estate Mares BM70 Handicap, (1300m)
November Dreaming can return to winning form under Jamie Kah on Wednesday.
The Tavistock mare is yet to show her best in two starts back this time, but she is a galloper who does tend to take a couple to find her best.
This race appears to be a drop in quality from her last-start sixth, beaten a little more than four lengths by Bons Abroad at Ladbrokes Park.
Race 7 – 3:55pm – Long May We Plate BM64 Handicap, (1400m)
She’ll need some luck in running after drawing wide, but Singing Sword has a class edge over a lot of her rivals in the penultimate race at Cranbourne on Wednesday, and she is up to winning.
The Written Tycoon mare recorded an impressive win over the likes of Sasayuri at the backend of her last prep, and she mustered a lovely turn of foot to only just miss in BM64 company at Wangaratta when resuming.
With improvement for that effort and under Damian Lane, she’ll take beating.
Race 8 – 4:30pm – Hygain 3YO BM64 Handicap, (1600m)
This is a tough way to end the day from a betting perspective, but I’m going to have an each-way play on Crackerjack Prince.
Crackerjack Prince finished second at both starts during his debut preparation, and returned at Bendigo a couple of weeks ago with a bullish effort and win to break his maiden.
This is harder, but I was quite impressed with what he did when fresh, and I’m happy to take the $10 that is available at publish.
