A BUSY FRIDAY AT TWO COURSES

Day and night runners for us today at Benalla and Cranbourne.

Cigar Bar and Amoramio race during the day at Benalla with Cigar Bar the first to go in the third race over 1606 metres with Zac Spain aboard.

It is the second run this preparation for Cigar Bar. “He’s been a work in progress,” Mike said of the son of Savabeel. “He’s slowly getting the hang of things but it has been a process and he’s going to improve with racing.

“He’s drawn out which is not ideal but he will go back anyway so ideally I want to see him balance up in the home straight and be working home through the line.”

Amoramio runs in the eighth race over 1106 metres and also with Zac Spain to ride.

“She’s knocking on the door finishing in the first four at her last four starts,” Mike said. “She ran on last start at Pakenham and the extra trip tonight will not be a problem.

“She deserves a change of luck and I hope it is tonight.”

Later on tonight Lady In The Sky and Sigourney both run in race five over 1600 metres with Dakotah Keane aboard Lady In The Sky and Daniel Stackhouse riding Sigourney.

“Sigourney ran well first-up and this looks a nice race for her tonight,” Mike said.

“The small field should be in her favour and with ordinary luck I expect her to prove hard to beat.”

“Lady In The Sky starts a new preparation and will be improved by the run. She has prepped up well and if we did happen to end up on a rain affected track it will not bother her.

“Either way I’m sure she will give Dakotah a nice experience.”

Last start winner Big Watch (pictured) remains at 1200 metres with Jamie Mott retaining the ride.

“He’s trained on well and although he gives the impression of wanting a but further I think he is an effective run on sprinter.

“He’s stepping up from maiden class but he’s got s bit of potential and in what looks an even sort of race I’m sure he will prove competitive.”