Handy four-year-old STEP ASIDE can bounce back for a win when he returns to Rosehill in the $160,000 Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1500m on Saturday.
STEP ASIDE was brilliant winning first-up three starts ago – his first run off a four-month spell. The margin was only narrow due to the sedate tempo, but his final splits were impressive. Runner-up, Cloudland, since won to frank the form.
The @OTIRacing pair fight it out but the @cwallerracing trained Step Aside comes out on top!
Jason Collett is in fine form and brings up a treble. pic.twitter.com/nHPYE3SOyp
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 15, 2023
Expected to repeat the dose second-up, things went awry for STEP ASIDE. Near the 500m, he was checked and lost ground before going on to be badly held up from the 400m until the 150m.
Once clear, he stormed home late to miss by the narrowest of margins. Last start, he was gallant into third when striking a race with a tearaway leader. The rise in distance suits and he gets his chance to rebound.
Captain an obvious choice for Pike
Four-year-old gelding CAPTAIN PLUTO is poised to break through for an overdue win. He’ll be competing in Saturday’s $80,000 Ratings 66+ Handicap over 2200m at Ascot, Australia.
CAPTAIN PLUTO has been itching to post his first win in the west since relocating from the Victorian stables of Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young in November last year. In four starts for trainers Grant & Alana Williams, CAPTAIN PLUTO has picked up three minor placings, with his last-start second-place finish over this week’s distance putting the writing on the wall.
Missing victory by the barest of margins on the line after falling well back in the run, CAPTAIN PLUTO should be able to secure the win with a slightly better-timed ride under champion jockey William Pike.
