Seasoned campaigner Netherby Hall, out of Stephanie Miller’s stable, has a fine association with jockey Ryan Munger and the combination has a bright chance to notch up another win at Flamingo Park today when lining up in Race 5, a Pinnacle Stakes over 1800m.
In 13 outings with Munger aboard, this seven-year-old has been unplaced only twice, with a tally of five wins – the last of which was in his most recent run when he scored impressively under 60kg by 7.75 lengths over 2200m in a MR 72 Handicap.
The seven-time winner takes on stronger opposition this time but with a handy galloping weight of 56.5kg the gelding should be up to the task again.
However, Miller’s charge can expect a bold bid from Sarel von Willingh Smit’s eight-time winner First Sea Lord with Muzi Yeni in the saddle.
Yeni partnered this seven-year-old only once and that was in his penultimate outing when he went off favourite and came from last a er a slow start to snatch victory in a 1800m Pinnacle Stakes.
The gelding had Nicholas Patel aboard in an indifferent subsequent outing when failing to re-cover from a bad start and finishing well down the field.
That run is best overlooked and he should be in the final call this time.
Also in with claims is Jare Rugg-trained four-time winner Assisted Take Off (Jarryd Penny) who comes off three good runs.
This three-year-old was a gutsy winner over 2200m with Patel up, then stepping up in class and rid-den by Penny he was a runner-up to Netherby Hall over the same distance.
The combination made no mistake next time with a re-sounding win over 1800m.
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.