Ice Machine to atone

Admittedly 1200m was probably a touch short for the Charles Laird-trained runner but that added to his problems as jockey Anton Marcos did not have enough metres left to make up the lost ground. He returns to 1400m in a Pinnacle Stakes at Greyville today and the seven-year-old gelding will be tough to beat as long as he does not get too far out of his ground.

His last win was over the course and distance when he mowed down his opposition to win the Grade 2 Drill Hall Stakes. He is the best weighted runner and had this been a handicap he would have had had to give 6kg to African Dream who is the second-best handicapped runner but in effect, he is only giving 3kg.

Although London Call is 7kg under sufferance, Mark Dixon’s charge could be the main threat to Ice Machine. He has only raced five times – all of them over 1200m at Scottsville – but he has a record of three wins one second and a fourth place. There seems to be room for improvement as long as he can see out the distance.

Flyfirstclass was the runner to beat Ice Machine last time and is only 1.5kg worse off for a 2.50-length beating of Laird’s charge. Craig Eudey’s runner has won his only start over the course and distance so Ice Machine should be wary not to give him too much start.