Australian Racing: Pounding seeking Seymour success

There are a number of meetings set to take place on Sunday, including at Seymour where it’s bet365 Seymour Cup Day.

Race 9 Seymour

Pounding @ 7.00

Race 7 Coonamble

Roma Avenue @ 5.00

Race 7 Port Lincoln

Hey Michael @ 7.50

Pounding for Cup glory

The big race of the day is due off as the penultimate contest on a 10-race card.

A good 4 track is expected for the 1600m Listed handicap event, with Caste to feature prominently in the betting for the Ben, JD & Will Hayes team.

The stable’s superstar Mr Brightside took this race three years ago and, while clearly not in his league, their representative has been competing at Group level in recent months.

This five-year-old showed good form in Adelaide in 2023, winning twice at Morphettville, including when taking out the Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes over 1600m.

However, she has been unable to replicate that form in Melbourne, including over 1400m in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes at Flemington last weekend.

The mare drops in grade in this contest, however, POUNDING is preferred despite having to jump from a wide barrier.

The six-year-old has recorded some big efforts without winning this prep, including when runner-up in the Gold Nugget over 1600m at Ballarat last time.

That effort came on a soft 5 surface, however, he is equally at home on good going having placed third on a good 4 track in the So You Think Stakes at Moonee Valley prior.

Luke Nolen’s mount has gone well at a higher level in the past, including when winning in Group 3 company in February last year and he looks up to returning to winning ways.

Avenue for Coonamble success

The $75,000 Coonamble Gold Cup is set to take place as the penultimate event on an eight-race card.

The track is expected to be a good 4, with Hollywood Hero set to have his supporters.

Bjorn Baker’s gelding has had three starts this prep, delivering his best effort when third over this distance at Dubbo at the end of last month.

That third came in a Big Dance qualifying contest held on a good 4 surface with an inside alley a positive in this event.

Kody Nestor’s mount is seeking back-to-back wins in this event, however, ROMA AVENUE is preferred.

The gelding is set to jump from barrier four here, having won at metro level this prep when saluting at $31 over 1400m at Rosehill in August.

The selection won by a narrow margin when contesting a Benchmark 78 handicap held on a soft 5 surface on that occasion.

A good third in a Benchmark 94 handicap over this distance at Randwick followed, prior to a disappointing seventh over 1800m back at Rosehill last time.

Trained by Sara Ryan, the six-year-old began awkwardly and was keen last time out and he looks up to returning to winning ways with Aaron Bullock set to ride.

Michael to salute at Port Lincoln

The seventh at Port Lincoln is an interesting 1350m Benchmark 68 handicap set to take place on a good 4 surface.

HEY MICHAEL showed good form at this venue last season, winning five times from seven starts including over this course and distance.

The six-year-old ended his last prep with a three-length victory in a 1396m Benchmark 60 handicap here in early May.

Waylon Hornhardt’s representative failed to make an impact in a similar race to this here, when racing first up this prep at the end of last month.

The son of Mikki Isle usually improves for his first start back from a break and with that in mind, he looks capable of recording his fifth win in 10 starts at this track.