We are back at The Creek

After a week without racing owing to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, we are back at The Creek this week and there will be nine races on the docket.

There are some quality horses stepping out on the night, with the mares open appearing to be a two-horse battle on paper, with the divided open pace looking a little more open than the early price of the favourite, For Real Life, suggests.

The Wolf Signs Divided Open Pace will be over the 2138 metre trip, with For Real Life looking to bounce back from a disappointing run last start where he finished at the tail of the field.

Sent hard off the arm from barrier seven over this same distance, the five-year-old was four-wide into the first turn as Manila Playboy was also working forward.

With Manila Playboy taking over at the mile, that left For Real Life parked out with a slick lead time laid out in 35.1.

Fading from the 400, it will be one month between runs heading into this week’s assignment, but Trent Dawson’s dual Group 1 winner is afforded no favours from wide off the front line in gate six.

Of the other runners, Wisper A Secret draws wide in seven and Jimartee will be the lone second line runner, with Leonard Cain a late replacement for Shane Graham aboard the speedster, Turn It Up.

With the push button speed off the gate, Turn It Up looks the early leader, with For Real Life a chance of getting across to take the lamp lighting duties.

Jimartee should appreciate the middle trip after being forced to chase last start when second up from a spell as Duke Of Scotland carved a strong mile from the front.

Powering home over the top to score when resuming with Bjorn Goop taking the drive in a heat of the Ultimate Drivers Championship, Ricky Thurlow will have the options as the line runner off the second line.

Bjorn Goop and Jimartee

In the mares open, the race on paper looks a battle between the dual Group 1 winner Rylee Rhayne Bow, and the returning Chynchilla, with the pair drawn six and seven respectively.

Rylee Rhayne Bow has race fitness on her side and comes off a last start victory for Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen when darting through on the passing lane to score.

Donny Smith’s speedster, Chynchilla was last seen in November with a sizzling Forever Gold G3 victory and regular pilot Nathan Dawson is excited to have the now back at the races.

“What she did last year, I think she is going to be better again this year,” Dawson said.

Chynchilla too slick

Exploding onto the scene following her arrival in Queensland, the daughter of Sunshine Beach won nine races, seven of those here at The Creek, of which four were in sub-1.52.0.

“My mare has got good speed, but she also has a lot of depth too, so we will just have to see how the race is playing out, but I definitely think she is probably the best mare in the race.”

If there are any dangers to this pair, it could potentially come from Cheer Leader who secures an improved barrier for Grant Dixon and will start from gate three.

Dawson will also partner with the Ben Battle trained mare Joans Rising Star in the Changeover @ Burwood Stud mares qualifying pace which is slated as race seven.

Drawn in gate two, the mare has been a slow burn for connections, claiming one race since arriving from New Zealand mid-way through last season, but her recent form and good gate here could be decisive.

“We will be as aggressive as we can, I think she is racing sensational, probably a career best run last start for her,” Dawson said.

“Pretty open race, a pretty even bunch of mares, but we probably have a little bit of edge with the barrier and hopefully we can make the most of that.”

Race one is scheduled for 5.41pm.

BEST BETS

Chris Barsby

R8 N6 Ohana Dancer – “I think she is clearly the class runner of this field, and I don’t think she is going to find a better race to win at Albion Park, so I am marking her as the best bet.

Darren Clayton

R4 N2 Sheer Artistry – “Trained by Wayne Graham, she finds a suitable small field of mares to chase successive victories. Doing it tough first over from gate seven last start, I think she can find the front here but has shown she doesn’t have to lead.”

Hear from Nathan Dawson and Shane Graham on this week’s edition of Weekend Winners.