Maidens take centre stage at Wyndham

By Jonny Turner

The careers of several talented horses are set to get underway in a red-hot maiden field at Wyndham on Thursday.

Punters have plenty of talent to choose from with a promising line up of horses assembled for race 5 at the Gore meeting.

Always On Sale, Itoje, Ramblin Rover, Gunner Andy and Secret Potion have each shown their share of ability when trialling ahead of their debuts.

While they have already made their debuts, Artmore, Glenkenick, Summit Ultra and Captain Meister have each shown they are well capable of winning a maiden with their efforts on the trial track.

Always On Sale cleared out to win his latest trial by five lengths ahead of his debut for trainer Clark Barron.

Matthew Williamson hops in the cart for the horse’s first attempt and he’s hopeful of a bold showing from the pacer.

“He has trialled up really well and he looks quite a nice horse,” Williamson said.

“It is a very nice maiden field but he looks a solid chance, especially from a handy draw (3).”

Bookmakers rated Always On Sale and Ramblin Rover the $3.80 equal fixed odds favourites for race 5 on market opening.

Ramblin Rover brings hot trial form after he downed a nine-race winner in Mach’s Back in a recent workout.

Against the Brett Gray trained pacer is his barrier 8 draw.

Itoje was rated the $4.20 early third favourite for his debut on his home track.

The Brendan McLellan trained pacer was star of the trial track in the autumn before returning with a quiet effort at Wyndham recently.

Gunner Andy ($8) hit the line nicely in the latest of his trials, while those looking for exposed form can consider Artmore ($9) who has run two handy races to start her career.

Captain Meister ($11), Glenkenick ($14), Secret Potion ($18) and Summit Ultra ($21) were rated next in order of favouritism following the opening of race 5’s market.

Matthew Williamson rates Step It Up A Notch the best drive among his remaining chances at Wyndham on Thursday.

The Lyndon Bond trained pacer sat parked and ran a meritorious fourth in his last start at Winton.

“He is going really well, he sat parked last time and it was a good effort,” Williamson said.

“It looks like a field he can be very competitive in with a little bit of luck from the draw (6).”

Williamson also thinks Magnifique Dimanche can benefit from a drop in class when stepping out in race 4.