RACE COMMENT

OVERVIEW: HOWDY MATE (10) never really got much room to launch when settling last on the fence and racing in restricted room up the straight last weekend behind Hoppy. It was his first run for close to a month and he did appear to have plenty left in the tank, so his 14.2m defeat might be a little misleading. He’s a progressive type that has won five of 19 starts, and looks well placed in this race where you can make a case for quite a few. ARTIGAS (7) appears the obvious danger given his triumphant stretch of three, which includes a last-start front-running success over three rivals that reoppose here on June 20. He was able to work over and find the front from PROHIBITED GRACE (5) and gripped on to win by a neck. It won’t be as easy from gate seven this time, but Aaron Dunn has him ticking over nicely and he’s every chance of leading, where he’d prove hard to beat. PROHIBITED GRACE (5) led and was run down by Ijustcalledtosay and Aldebaran Abel last weekend, but is performing very consistently of late and is the likely speed influence here, while IRON WOMEN (11) found the top and was swamped by Hoppy and co. last Saturday, however did finish third in what was another solid effort. BACK: HOWDY MATE (10) – 1 unit (win)