In an unusually busy Tuesday for OTI and our partners, three Archie Alexander-trained runners head to Swan Hill, all to be ridden by Declan Bates.
Puissance De Lune mare, Miss Chang’e returns to the races in a Maiden over 1300m (Race 2 – 2:00 pm). The race will be her second career start, having placed 3rd at Wangaratta on heavy ground in August last year. The four-year-old trialled well at Terang last week, and Alexander reports that he is pleased with her ahead of her race return. We’re hoping to see her find a good position in the run from barrier three and hit the line well to finish off. She will take significant improvement from the run, and we expect her to be at her best stepping up in distance second or third-up.
In the next race on the card, Milonia steps out in a 1200m Maiden (Race 3 – 2:30 pm). Similar to Miss Chang’e, this will be her second career start after not handling a heavy track at Wangaratta last winter. Alexander has varied her routine at home with treadmill work and swimming to keep her relaxed ahead of the run. We expect that she will prefer the good track at Swan Hill and we’re hoping to see her put in a strong performance.
Later in the afternoon, Zipitsweetie continues her preparation in a Benchmark 64 over 2400m (Race 6 – 4:00 pm). She has come through her last start at Moonee Valley well, and the drop down to country-level will be to her benefit. While barrier 14 isn’t the ideal gate for the mare, she will relish racing on the spacious Swan Hill circuit. We expect to see her put in a very competitive effort and hope she can bounce back to winning form.
Best of luck to connections!
