3 minute read
Last year’s winner Rock n Roll Doo will have to repel the might of the Emma Stewart yard if he is to record back-to-back wins in Friday night’s Kilmore Cup.
Mick Stanley's pacer won last year's feature at Kilmore before going on to land the Victoria Cup and he has roared back into similar form this campaign.
After a narrow fresh defeat, Rock N Roll Doo ventured north for a Group 1 win in the Len Smith Mile at Menangle before proving too classy in the Maryborough Cup when coming from the back row.
He'll have to overcome another challenging draw on Friday as he starts from the outside of the front line but will be approaching peak fitness fourth up and is in the right form.
So too is the Stewart camp having won the inaugural Eureka earlier in the month before another successful Vicbred Super Series assault.
The stable will line up five runners in the Kilmore Cup where the pick is clearly Act Now from the ace draw.
He was a big improver second up at Melton when he worked forward from the back row to find the front before going on to score by just over 2m.
He'll relish this barrier and has yet to miss a place in five third-up attempts, winning three of them.
Act Now is unbeaten in three tries at the longer distance and his record at this circuit is strong so he ticks plenty of boxes.
he other big chance in the race is Better Eclipse who continues a run of second row draws but has been racing well from there.
He raced deep to chase Act Now when runner up from this barrier last start after tracking three wide without cover but proving strong in a Group 2 two back.
He is going well and must rate highly.
In the Kilmore Trotting Cup Ollivici and One Over All rate as the two main hopes despite both giving away a 30m handicap.
Ollivici has placed in Group races in both outings since a fresh win at Melton, last time chasing topliner Queen Elida for second in a G2.
He will be at peak fitness now and is unbeaten at this circuit.
One Over All came from this same mark to win the Maryborough Cup last time, working forward to find the front before drawing away to score by 9m.
He is a big chance to do it again.
Bullion Harry looks the other player as he wasn't far behind Ollivici when placed in a G2 last start and had won two of his previous three, both at G3 level. He has yet to miss a place here so should be involved again.
Gloucester Park hosts Group 1 juvenile racing on Friday night with the running of the Golden Slipper.
Former Kiwi Vegas Strip suffered his first defeat at his third WA outing last time but he still did well when he led from a wide barrier and kicked on to be beaten just over a metre.
He can take advantage of this lower draw and won the only time he attempted this distance at this circuit two back.
Grevis draws the back row but his form is hard to knock, winning two back and finishing runner up in a G1 last start. He is a contender with even luck.
Manhattan Moon found winning form from a wider barrier last start. The favourable draw sees him in calculations again.
Xceptional Arma takes on the boys but must be respected after taking out a G1 for the fillies last time, her third success from four starts this time in.
BEST BETS:
Kilmore Friday Race 6 #5 Outlaw Man @$4.40 – placed behind two strong rivals last start and will be close to peaking third up.
Kilmore Friday Race 7 # Act Now @ $3.00 – fitter for the last-start win and the ace draw should see him hard to catch.
