It Pays To Follow

Posted on April 18, 2023May 1, 2023 | Posted by Digby Beacham

GO GO GROMMET

Wednesday, April 12 @ Pinjarra

Tiarnna Robertson has got herself another fast horse. Having impressed at trials, this three-year-old son of Maschino went to Pinjarra on debut and gave nothing else a chance. It was a dominant on-speed display over the 1000m which suggested he is going to make the grade in town.

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LIL’ BIRD TOLD ME

Wednesday, April 12 @ Pinjarra

It would be a shock if this mare is a maiden for much longer. The four-year-old was in the market last week after running fourth and third at her first two runs. She was disappointed for a run in the straight and once she saw clear air, the likes of winner Chinobrown and runner-up Cheddar Bob were off and gone. Lil’ Bird Told Me had to settle for fourth, just behind Nod And Smile, who also caught the eye.

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CHERRY CAN RUN

Wednesday, April 12 @ Pinjarra

We cannot get away from the fact that Cherry Can Run hasn’t made a habit of winning. In saying that, she is going well. The run prior to last week was very good, albeit without much luck. It was again a hard watch down at Pinjarra. Keshaw Dhurun, from a low draw, was denied clear air for the bulk of the straight and had to settle for fifth, half a length off the winner, Arcadia Star.

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STATE OF POWER

Saturday, April 15 @ Ascot

State Of Power was not entitled to run fourth after enduring a torrid run … three-deep on top of the speed. But the four-year-old mare, who did elevate to a new level last campaign, never shirked the issue and was only beaten half a length behind the talented Snowdome. The performance indicated she has come back in excellent order.

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HE’S A LUCKY LAD

Saturday, April 15 @ Ascot

Over the years, Adam Durrant has had a field day during the winter months with progressive stayers. He’s A Lucky Lad could be another horse who we see have an extended campaign at Belmont and pick the eye out of races at a minimum of 2000m. He bungled the start on the weekend over 1800m, was rearward turning for home and still got home to run fourth. That was first-up, which is not his go. Follow.

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TITAN BLINDERS

Saturday, April 15 @ Ascot

Now a seven-year-old, Titan Blinders has not won a race since November 2020. But he is going particularly well, as evidenced by his fourth in last weekend’s The Joey. Not suited at weight-for-age (although he was terrific in The Gold Rush during the Pinnacles), he surged late behind Baby Paris after settling near last from a high draw. He is a genuine black-type horse.

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CLASSIC ENCOUNTER

Sunday, April 16 @ Geraldton

This filly had the benefit of three trials leading into her first-up run on Cup day and was popular with punters against moderate opposition. She didn’t let them down. Classic Encounter had a charmed run for William Pike and let down powerfully in the straight to win by more than four lengths. It was the second win in a five-start career which contains three outings in Geraldton. That is likely to be the last time she heads there for a while.

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GOLD FRIARS

Sunday, April 16 @ Geraldton

Hands up if you thought Gold Friars had held on to deny Come Right Back and win the Geraldton Cup. You’re not alone. Sadly for David Harrison and Joseph Azzopardi, they did not. That’s not to say he didn’t run out of his skin. Gold Friars was racing outside the handicap and more than held his own. It’s easy to forget he only broke his maiden status back in January this year. It’s been a stellar campaign.