Wangoom Handicap – 2021

Track: Soft Weather: Clear

A field of sixteen runners plus two emergencies have accepted for this years Listed Wangoom Handicap.  On Tuesday night the track is rated as a heavy nine however we think it may improve into the soft range by race time.  As always, the Warrnambool trainers have a strong hand in the race.  Lindsey Smith has four runners, Symon Wilde has two and Daniel Bowman has one while Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr also train Heptagon from their Warrnambool stable.   Seven of these are first up.  Ancestry is the early favourite in a wide open betting race.  He is the likely leader and loves racing on rain affected ground.  Next in the betting is Great Again.  He has a terrific first up record and is another who loves racing with the “sting out”.

Riding The Wave has had a short break since finishing down the track in the Oakleigh Plate.  Occular hit the line hard first up against easier company at Cranbourne and drops sharply in weight.  Reykjavik has had two runs back from a spell and looks set to peak third up.  Morrissy is first up for Jamie Kah who returns from suspension.  Dexelation boasts a strong third up record and won’t be troubled by a rain affected track.  Bumper Blast raced wide without cover first up, while Simply Optimistic is another that looks set to peak.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Ancestry

Ancestry is a talented four year old but I’m not sure where he’s at this prep.  Aside from a biased assisted win at Moonee Valley he has been pretty disappointing this prep.  He should lead here but happy to work around him as the favourite.

2.  Jungle Edge

Well renowned mud lark but not sure it’s going to be wet enough for him.  Possibly past his best now also as a 10 year old.  Not for me.

3. Heptagon

Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr at Warrnambool.  He wasn’t beaten far in this race last year but is just one from eight first up and draws wide here.  Consider for multiples.

4. Great Again

One of the Lindsey Smith runners.  Was a good effort to fend them off first up at Flemington last prep and loves rain affected ground.  One of the main contenders.

5. Reykjavik

Loved the effort first up at Caulfield, then whacked away okay last start but he is not a second up horse.  Set to peak third up and I suspect this has been the target all along.

6. Harlech

First up for Michael Moroney and Daniel Stackhouse.  He won the Benalla Cup last preparation over 1400m.  Draws well but happy to watch him fresh.

7. Morrissy

Resumes off a short break.  Consistent type who was beaten less than two lengths in three x Group 3’s during the spring.  Drawn well and gets Jamie Kah.  Each way hope.

8. Never No More

First up.  Lightly raced five year old who has had three starts in eighteen months.  He has struggled in all three.  Happy to watch him go around here.

9. Just Hifalutin

Resumed on Anzac Day off a 14 month break and was never likely.  Gets blinkers first time but hard to recommend off what he did first up.

10. Bumper Blast

Flashy grey who has a good turn of foot on his day.  Very wide first up at Caulfield but battled on okay.  Did trial well before that.  In the mix.

11. Dexelation

Comes here third up off two solid 1100m runs in SA and the Melbourne Cup winning jock Jye McNeil is booked to ride.  Another who is in the mix.

12. Riding The Wave

Freshened after finishing down the track in the Oakleigh Plate.  Loves soft ground and gets onto his home track for the first time.  Look for him storming late from the wide barrier.

13. Epic Grey

Trained by Lindsey Smith on the track & could improve second up. Is drawn to get a good run from barrier 11.

14. Simply Optimistic

Worked home well first up at Bendigo, then hit the line strongly again at Caulfield when held up on straightening.  Wide gate to contend with here but if Daniel Moor can find some cover he is capable of being in the finish.

15. Inn Keeper

The second of the Symon Wilde runners and a last start Terang winner.  He finished sixth in this race in 2019, then ran a cracking third last year.  If the fence is okay by this stage he can play a role.

16. Polanco

Likes wet ground but is not a noted first up horse.  Prefer others.

17. Ocular

Trialed well before an eye catching run first up run at Cranbourne in a strong benchmark 70.  Drops right down in the weights and and should get a nice run from barrier 8.  Looks set to run well here.

18. Capriccio

Loved the first up win at Flemington at a big price, then was fairly plain second up.  May be capable of bouncing back third up getting onto his home track.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
4. Great Again	5. Reykjavik
1. Ancestry	17. Ocular
17. Ocular	4. Great Again
12. Riding The Wave	18. Capriccio

Listed Warrnambool Cup 2021 (Warrnambool 2350m)

Listed Wagga Wagga Cup 2021 (Wagga 2000m)