DOUBLE AWAITS ESTADIO MESTALLA
Promising four-year-old ESTADIO MESTALLA looks on track to score two wins on end when he contests the $150,000 Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1500m from Rosehill Racecourse, Australia, on Saturday.
Irish-bred import ESTADIO MESTALLA has quickly adopted to racing Down Under after he smashed his local maiden tag in fine style when making his debut in mid-November, drawing clear by close to 2.5 lengths over this track and distance. The Chris Waller-trained son of Galileo Gold was unable to repeat the dose second-up, checking home 3.1 lengths into eighth, but quickly bounced back to his winning ways third-up. Contesting a race similar in nature to this week’s, ESTADIO MESTALLA fought doggedly in the straight to score narrowly by impressively over the mile at Randwick.
ESTADIO MESTALLA appears well placed against many horses who need to find best form on Saturday, while he appears to have plenty of upside to come.
CURRIMUNDI CAN ATONE
Promising four-year-old CURRIMUNDI can make amends for his last start defeat this Saturday when he contests the $60,000 Special Conditions race over 1400m at Ascot racecourse, Australia.
CURRIMUNDI had been on a winning streak of two before it came to an end last time out, when he resumed with a luckless third over this track and distance. Had the son of Playing God not been checked near the 200m, which forced the rider to steady him inwards, he would arguably have won the race as there were only 1.2 lengths between him and the winner.
This week, CURRIMUNDI strikes a highly winnable race and from a decent draw, he should endure a nice run in transit and can prove hard to beat for jockey Shaun McGruddy.
DOYLE’S 3YO THE OVERRIDING FACTOR
Promising filly OVERRIDING can remain unbeaten when she races second-up in the $40,000 Class 1 Handicap over 1350m from Wyong Racecourse, Australia, on Saturday.
The Nathan Doyle-trained chestnut three-year-old debuted with a sizzling maiden win on 26 December, justifying heavy market support to score in a an eye-catching manner by over three lengths over 1200m. Sitting just off the pace in fourth, she travelled strongly into the straight before letting rip and winning with complete authority.
With seemingly plenty more wins to come, OVERRIDING is poised to continue her winning ways.
