Australian Racing: Universal Rock ready to roll

There are four meetings set to take place on Tuesday including at Kyneton where eight races are scheduled.

Race 7 Kyneton

Universal Rock @ 4.20

Race 4 Newcastle

Lease @ 4.00

Race 7 Queabeyan

Crazy Atom @ 5.50

Universal Rock for Kyneton glory

The penultimate race on the previously mentioned Kyneton card is a 1474m Benchmark 58 handicap restricted to fillies & mares.

A soft 5 track is expected for the race, with Snappy Pierro expected to feature prominently in the betting for the Danielle Chapman stable.

The five-year-old registered two victories at this venue last year, following up a maiden victory over 1454m here with a success when racing at this level two starts later.

That latest success came in similar conditions to those expected here and, while she has yet to score this prep, she has delivered some good efforts in defeat.

Those efforts included a one-and-a-half-lengths win in a 1454m Benchmark 58 handicap at Kilmore on her penultimate start and she rates highly returning to this venue.

UNIVERSAL ROCK has shown solid form in maiden company this season, including when two lengths second over 1400m at Horsham in December.

While the four-year-old failed to make an impact at Naracoorte when beaten nearly seven lengths next time, she returned to form with a close second back at Horsham at the end of last month.

Universal Rock proved that the forecast soft 5 track here is no issue when getting home by a narrow margin in similar conditions over 1400m at the same venue two weeks ago.

Paul Preusker's filly made all that day and similar tactics are expected with apprentice Jordyn Weatherley, on board for her last two starts, again set to ride.

Lease to register Newcastle win

A good 4 track is expected at Newcastle with the fourth race a 1500m Benchmark 64 handicap.

Oakfield Prince is set to shoulder top weight here and registered a narrow-margin victory when contesting a similar race to this over 1600m at Wyong earlier this prep.

The seven-year-old went on to place at the same venue and Hawkesbury on his next two starts and he was freshened following a fourth back at Wyong just under two months ago.

The gelding, a regular at this venue, took a step forward when four lengths fourth over 1600m here at the start of this month, however, his record here is poor and he looks opposable for the Kris Lees team.

Trainer Allan Kehoe has his horses in good form at present and his representative here LEASE boasts a good barrier two from the rail.

The gelding has been in good form in recent months, finishing in the first three in four of his last five starts including, when a close second over 1300m at Coffs Harbour three starts back.

A good third when contesting a similar race to this held over course and distance on a good 4 track followed, prior to saluting by a narrow margin in a Benchmark 68 handicap here.

That Benchmark 68 handicap came in a track and trip event held on a wet track and he looks capable of completing a double.

Crazy Atom to record Queanbeyan success

The finale at Queanbeyan is a 1460m Benchmark 58 handicap expected to be held on a soft 5 surface

Joe Cleary's mare CRAZY ATOM delivered a one-and-a-half-length victory when racing over 1600m in a similar race to this at Sapphire Coast at the end of December.

The five-year-old raced on a good 4 track that day but has gone well on wet going in the past, including when runner-up over 1600m here on her penultimate start.

Crazy Atom lost out by half-a-length when contesting a Benchmark 58 handicap that day and she arrives here on the back of a second in a similar event here 13 days later.

Amy McLucas' mount is expected to be ridden close to or on the speed and jumping from barrier six she looks capable of registering the fourth win of her career.