Fownes' Reel thing has time on his side
IT will take a good one to get past the Lawrie Fownes-trained Rock 'N Reel in tonight's third event given the way his speed figures have been improving going into the race.
Rock 'N Reel actually put up a decent speed rating on one occasion last season and has got gradually better with each of his three runs this time round.
He shaped with plenty of promise second time back when fourth to Gold Capture in a competitive Class Five event, the form of which is working out pretty well.
He wasn't beaten too far that day and finished ahead of the likes of Tomodachi who has since come out and bolted home in Class Six.
He also has a marginal edge over Rising Sun on that form and my speed ratings tend to suggest that Rising Sun is actually better on grass than on the artificial surface.
But it was Rock 'N Reel's last run which makes him tonight's best bet as far as speed ratings go.
He was probably left up on the speed too soon when second to Winsome Fellow over 2,230 metres on the grass.
Given the dash he showed to be prominent all the way, he looks an ideal type for 2,000 metres on the equitrack.
The reports from the track are also encouraging. The suggestion is that he's in even better nick now than before that good second to Winsome Fellow and that he could well show additional improvement.
But it's not going to be any cakewalk for him as the topweight Race To Win has good ratings over course and distance.
Race To Win loves the dirt and put in a fine effort when fourth to City Raider over course and distance going back a couple of outings.
Rose Garden and Rising Sun look best of the others.
