The Rough as Gutz thread

Has a win and SP over the short pricced favourite Rainment

all up sentinum at 20's in the last

MR8 #3 Lord Durante @ $51 (boost) - 4 starts this time in have been ordinary, but we can dismiss that, as his overall record in his first 3 back from a spell is 18:0-3-1, and his only 4th up success was his maiden win. He does like The Valley, and from barrier 2 he will be right there and will relish any kind of on pace bias. His last win was in this grade over this trip off a 34 day freshen October '16. Interestingly, his previous run at this t/d was probably better, 3/4 len 2nd to the talented Killarney Kid, with a space to a couple of handy ones, including Aloft (r/up in The Chairman's Hcp), Swacadellic (Sandown Cup r/up) and a reasonable stayer called Almandin ... would have loved to see The Gauch come out of retirement for one more ride, but in Stan we trust!

BR3 #3 Transporter @$34 - not really that keen, unless they get a downgrade, he really needs the give in the ground, but he owes me nothing, and in a race without great depth, definitely in my exotics with #2 Man of His Word, #13 Payroll, #1 High Midnight, #4 Berry Delicious 

BR8 #Palazzo Pubblico @$21 - recent runs have been good and she has the class to win this, no favours with the barrier, but the jockey appointment won't stop her. 

AR4 #5 Cool Maverick @ $26 - placed 6 of last 8 this grade and just needs some luck to figure from the barrier.

Couple of others that are not real roughies but have my interest at a fair price;

MR5 #9 Goodwood Zodiac @ $14 - 4 yo Irish imported gelding, first up for Adrian Bott in Melbourne is unusual - no evidence of trial form, no early money - history says it will either run well or end up over the sticks.

MR6 #4 Lopartego @ $12 - likes the Valley, down in grade form prev fail and Williams hops back on after previous strong win here. 

MR7 # 7 Chamois Road @ $7 - ALL the 7's! (except barrier 6). was keen on this iron horse when a dual acceptor last week. There would hardly be a more consistent horse in training, and has virtually had a 19 run prep since Feb last year, but for a couple of freshens and an 8 week let up, and missed a place 3 times. I rate Paddy Payne as a horseman who places them well. Nice claim with M.Aitken who is 3:2-0-1 gets him in cheekily under the limit.

SR4 #6 Autumn @$6.50 - interesting 5 yo former Kiwi mare, who has started fav. 5 of 9 starts, and finally put it together with wins her last two - as 3 yo in NZ was 2nd (as fav.) in a maiden to the talented Savaria. Looks like a slow maturer, could be ready to go on with it now. 

AR8 # 5 Raheeba @ $15 - consistent type who has won this t/d, and can take advantage of a good barrier and some weight relief in an open race.  

... and remember, the more you put on, the more you win!