O’Shea to Rock Randwick
Consistent four-year-old WEWILLROCK is a strong chance to claim the $160,000 Listed Charley Ao Stakes over 1100m from Randwick Racecourse, Australia on Saturday.
WEWILLROCK has had an excellent 11-start career so far, posting four wins and five placings with 10 of those starts in New Zealand. The son of El Roca made his Australian debut last start on May 23 in a Benchmark 78 Handicap for colts and geldings, finishing runner-up by juts over a half-length. That day, he showed plenty of gate speed and probably led too quickly, leading by over two lengths on settling and holding the front by 1.75 lengths at the turn.
Deriving plenty of benefit from that run, WEWILLROCK should be much fitter now and a better-timed ride can see him claim the feature event on his first start for trainer John O’Shea.
Neasham’s 3YO to Boom
Three-year-old Annabel Neasham-trained gelding AFTERBOOMER is a genuine hope to break through third-up in the $40,000 Colts & Geldings Maiden Plate over 1400m from Newcastle Racecourse, Australia on Saturday.
AFTERBOOMER looks set to peak third-up after two promising runs over 1200m since debuting on May 4. On both occasions, the Spirit Of Boom gelding has only found one better in the finish, going down by a 0.4 lengths first-up and 1.8 lengths most recently.
The rise to 1400m is key to AFTERBOOMER’S chances on Saturday and fitness should well and truly be on his side.
Dom Shooting for a win
Quality five-year-old galloper DOM TO SHOOT can go one place better this Saturday when he contests the $200,000 Group 3 Strickland Stakes over 2000m at Belmont racecourse, Australia.
DOM TO SHOOT has been racing in great form recently with one win and two placings from his last four starts. At his latest outing, the Shooting To Win gelding gave a bold sight and looked every bit the winner before being caught in the final stride, beaten a neck into second in the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes over 1600m.
The rise in distance shouldn’t pose any problem to DOM TO SHOOT as he finished a solid fifth in the G2 Perth Cup (2400m) in January this year. From pole position, he has to be rated a big winning chance with champion jockey William Pike remaining in the saddle.
