Ararat Race 9

Ron Jensen Trot

Prize Money: $5,000

ROBERT JOHN (5) went back last start then worked home in good style to finish a nose from the winner in second at Maryborough over 1690m when returning from a break. Meets a comparable field so he can keep the ball rolling. MATISOFF (6) had been about the mark in recent runs before the latest appearance when he finished 11 metres away in third over 2190m at Maryborough. Has the class to add to the impressive recent tally. POPPY POPSTAR (3) is worth another chance after a last-start eighth over 1690m at Maryborough a week-and-a-half ago. CADENCE LANE (2) is the best of the rest after finishing sixth over 2190m at Maryborough last time out. Worth including in combinations.

Distance: 2195m
Class: NR up to 49
Track: Good
Weather: Cloudy
Surface: All Weather

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Itgetsbetter (Fr1) 4662552571
Trainer: J B O'connor (Narrawong)
Driver: Nicholas O'Connor (C,5)
Prize Money: $18,478
Win / Place: 4.44% / 28%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: VOLSTEAD (USA)

Dam: KEYSTONE CLARE (AUS)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

45: 2-7-4

Distance

31: 1-4-3

Trk/Dst

3: 1-0-0

Track

3: 1-0-0

Season

10: 1-2-0

1st Up

4: 0-0-0

2nd Up

3: 0-0-0

3rd Up

2: 0-0-1

Metro

5: 0-1-1

Non-Metro

40: 2-6-3

Mobile

32: 2-5-4

Standing

13: 0-2-0

All-Weather

45: 2-7-4

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

2:03.70

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

14: 0-4-1

Comments

Ran well last start showing plenty of improvement following October 19 run. Last start won by 5.5 m (Sr1) at Mt Gambier (2:16.80) beating Arzali in on October 30 at $7.50 at the bell was leading 0.2. This race will be harder than that win. Facing a tough assignment this time around.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 6	30/10/26	Mount Gambier	1780m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	B M Howard	2:16.80	2:03.7	5.7m	$7.50	11	NR up to 45	$3,500	$1,932	1. Itgetsbetter 2. Arzali 3. Brown Eyed Kate
7th of 8	19/10/26	Terang	2180m	Standing	All Weather	10m	Nicholas O'connor	2:51.60	2:04.9	15.8m	$34	6	No NR	$5,000	$140	1. Keayang Minnesota 2. Happy Escape 3. Snickers Express
5th of 9	13/10/26	Mount Gambier	2190m	Standing	All Weather	Fr	B M Howard	2:54.40	2:08.2	8.1m	$6.50	20	No NR	$5,000	$99	1. Happy Escape 2. Brown Eyed Kate 3. Maoris Avenger
2nd of 3	7/10/26	Mount Gambier	2190m			-	B M Howard	2:53.50	-	8m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Brown Eyed Kate 2. Itgetsbetter 3. Judielle
2nd of 8	23/9/26	Ballarat	1710m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Nicholas O'connor	2:09.50	2:01.9	2.6m	$4.20	9	NR up to 45	$7,000	$1,050	1. Brooklyngotcourage 2. Itgetsbetter 3. Snickers Express
5th of 9	14/9/26	Stawell	2180m	Standing	All Weather	10m	Lochie Cook	2:52.80	2:05.9	24.7m	$6.00	7	No NR	$5,000	$140	1. Whoshotthepieman 2. Poppy Popstar 3. Sonarmi Joh

Cadence Lane (Fr2) 3567336476
Trainer: N Youngson (Wedderburn)
Driver: Nick Youngson
Prize Money: $67,833
Win / Place: 13% / 31%

5 yo Bay Mare

Sire: FATHER PATRICK (USA)

Dam: COURTESY CHANCERY (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

82: 11-5-10

Distance

59: 8-4-7

Trk/Dst

2: 0-0-1

Track

3: 0-0-1

Season

11: 0-0-3

1st Up

5: 1-2-1

2nd Up

5: 2-0-0

3rd Up

5: 0-0-0

Metro

50: 10-4-5

Non-Metro

32: 1-1-5

Mobile

57: 7-3-7

Standing

25: 4-2-3

All-Weather

82: 11-5-10

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

2:00.40

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

9: 0-0-0

Comments

Last start surrendered the lead and finished 6th (Fr1) over 2190m after showing early speed at Maryborough, well beaten by Buckles For Berry (2:45.30) on October 30 at $51. Before that, was well back in the run when 7th (Fr6) over 1690m at Maryborough, at the bell was 10th-13.3 beaten 19 m by Snickers Express (2:08.30) on October 25 at $81. Do not dismiss.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 7	30/10/26	Maryborough	2190m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Nick Youngson	2:45.30	2:01.5	93.4m	$51	5	NR 46 to 48	$5,000	$140	1. Buckles For Berry 2. Courages Law 3. Jessicas Story
7th of 10	25/10/26	Maryborough	1690m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Nick Youngson	2:08.30	2:02.1	19.3m	$81	13	NR 45 to 49	$5,000	$140	1. Snickers Express 2. Saint Eyes 3. Aldebaran Marcus
4th of 10	12/10/26	Maryborough	2190m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	James Herbertson	2:46.20	2:02.1	5.2m	$15	12	NR 43 to 48	$5,000	$275	1. The Chook 2. Purple Moon 3. Argyle Muse
6th of 7	30/9/26	Kilmore	2180m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Hannah Parish	2:48.00	2:04.0	11.8m	$2.90	1	NR up to 45	$5,000	$140	1. Ahundredplus 2. Silent Reverie 3. Im Miss Royalty
3rd of 10	29/9/26	Shepparton	2190m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr2	James Herbertson	2:47.10	2:02.8	6.4m	$8.50	8	NR up to 49	$5,000	$500	1. Aldebaran Denbay 2. The Chook 3. Cadence Lane
3rd of 10	21/9/26	Charlton	2100m	Standing	All Weather	10m	Luke Dunne	2:42.80	2:03.6	11.0m	$26	7	No NR	$6,000	$600	1. Boutika 2. Nedza Thriller 3. Cadence Lane

Poppy Popstar (Fr3) 7482684588
Trainer: T M McNamara (Wedderburn)
Driver: Liam Older (C)
Prize Money: $71,005
Win / Place: 10% / 34%

7 yo Bay Mare

Sire: DANNY BOUCHEA (AUS)

Dam: WINDSOR BLOCK (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

124: 13-13-17

Distance

57: 9-6-6

Trk/Dst

4: 1-0-1

Track

4: 1-0-1

Season

11: 1-1-0

1st Up

3: 0-0-0

2nd Up

2: 0-1-1

3rd Up

2: 0-0-0

Metro

50: 6-5-4

Non-Metro

74: 7-8-13

Mobile

107: 13-12-14

Standing

17: 0-1-3

All-Weather

124: 13-13-17

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:58.37

Driver Stats

Comments

Last start 8th (Fr2) over 1690m at Maryborough, beaten 25 m by Champagnes (2:04.60) on October 30 at $26. At her previous start 8th (Sr1) over 1690m at Maryborough was 7th-14.3 at the bell, beaten 13 m by Kamaran (2:06.20) on October 25 at $19. Better than the last few runs suggest.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
8th of 10	30/10/26	Maryborough	1690m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Chris Svanosio	2:04.60	1:58.7	26.2m	$26	5	NR 49 to 52	$6,000	$140	1. Champagnes 2. Omnia 3. Deejay Dex
8th of 10	25/10/26	Maryborough	1690m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	James Herbertson	2:06.20	2:00.2	13.5m	$19	10	NR 50 to 55	$6,000	$140	1. Kamaran 2. Creatable 3. Leanne Leeann
5th of 10	15/10/26	Ballarat	1710m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Liam Older	2:05.30	1:57.9	20.6m	$26	8	NR up to 55	$6,000	$180	1. Tictok 2. Night Flight 3. No Telling Heather
4th of 6	7/10/26	Ballarat	1710m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Jack Laugher	2:08.00	2:00.4	11.0m	$7.00	7	NR up to 55	$6,000	$300	1. Why Now 2. Night Flight 3. Jakarta NZ
8th of 8	30/9/26	Kilmore	2180m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Liam Older	2:48.00	2:04.0	18.3m	$34	9	NR 52 to 56	$6,000	$140	1. Little Miss Morgan 2. Straight To Thetop 3. Abbie
6th of 10	21/9/26	Charlton	2100m	Standing	All Weather	20m	Scott Torney	2:42.80	2:03.6	22.1m	$41	7	No NR	$6,000	$140	1. Boutika 2. Nedza Thriller 3. Cadence Lane

Maoris Return (Fr4) 4064470x29
Trainer: Paul Rousch (Concongella)
Driver: Paul Rousch
Prize Money: $23,214
Win / Place: 4.17% / 33%

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: SKYVALLEY (NZ)

Dam: EARL BELLA

Rating

Stats

Career

48: 2-6-8

Distance

32: 2-3-7

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

1: 0-0-0

Season

2: 0-1-0

1st Up

6: 0-2-2

2nd Up

5: 0-2-0

3rd Up

4: 0-0-1

Metro

11: 0-2-2

Non-Metro

37: 2-4-6

Mobile

35: 2-5-4

Standing

13: 0-1-4

All-Weather

48: 2-6-8

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

2:03.40

Driver Stats

Comments

Last start 9th (Sr3) over 2190m at Maryborough was 9th-19 at the bell, beaten 13 m by The Chook (2:46.20) on October 12 at $126. Two runs back 2nd (Sr2) over 1700m at Horsham, at the bell was 5th-8.4 beaten 7 m by Connies President (2:07.30) on October 5 at $18. Others rate better.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
9th of 10	12/10/26	Maryborough	2190m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr3	Brent Murphy	2:46.20	2:02.1	13.5m	$126	7	NR 43 to 48	$5,000	$140	1. The Chook 2. Purple Moon 3. Argyle Muse
2nd of 8	5/10/26	Horsham	1700m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr2	Kate Gath	2:07.30	2:00.5	7.1m	$18	150	NR up to 49	$6,000	$900	1. Connies President NZ 2. Maoris Return 3. Castles In The Sky
150 Day Spell
11th of 12	8/5/26	Charlton	2100m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	P D Rousch	2:38.60	2:01.5	145.8m	$126	17	NR up to 49	$6,000	$140	1. Connies President NZ 2. Ataboy Charlie 3. Champagnes
7th of 8	21/4/26	Mount Gambier	2190m	Standing	All Weather	Fr3	Jason Glynn	2:55.30	2:08.8	35.6m	$2.50f	18	No NR	$5,000	$72	1. My Mother Said 2. Lady Suspicious 3. Brown Eyed Kate
4th of 12	3/4/26	Stawell	2180m	Standing	All Weather	20m	D K Douglas	2:51.00	2:05.7	26.7m	$126	20	No NR	$6,000	$300	1. Kamaran 2. Fremarks Peggy 3. Im Above The Law
4th of 8	14/3/26	Mount Gambier	2190m	Standing	All Weather	Fr3	Jason Glynn	2:57.80	2:10.6	4.9m	$3.90	13	NR up to 59	$5,000	$144	1. Lady Suspicious 2. Aldebaran Anton 3. Brown Eyed Kate

Robert John (Fr5) 35571183x2
Trainer: Toby Ainsworth (Navarre)
Driver: Ada Massa
Prize Money: $20,385
Win / Place: 9.30% / 25%

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: ALDEBARAN EAGLE (USA)

Dam: ALDEBARAN HONEY (AUS)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

43: 4-2-5

Distance

29: 2-1-4

Trk/Dst

2: 0-0-1

Track

2: 0-0-1

Season

1: 0-1-0

1st Up

5: 0-1-0

2nd Up

4: 0-0-0

3rd Up

4: 1-0-0

Metro

14: 0-1-0

Non-Metro

29: 4-1-5

Mobile

34: 4-2-3

Standing

9: 0-0-2

All-Weather

43: 4-2-5

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

2:00.60

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

35: 2-2-3

Comments

Having his second run back from a spell. Game effort when 2nd (Sr3) over 1690m at Maryborough was 7th-10.8 at the bell, beaten a nose by Massif Central (2:07.30) on October 30 at $19. Expected to go very well.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 10	30/10/26	Maryborough	1690m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr3	Ada Massa	2:07.30	2:01.2	0.1m	$19	110	NR 42 to 45	$5,000	$775	1. Massif Central 2. Robert John 3. Chillhunnybunny
110 Day Spell
3rd of 8	12/7/26	Terang	2180m	Standing	All Weather	10m	Ada Massa	2:53.30	2:06.2	12.7m	$6.00	16	No NR	$4,000	$415	1. Jakarta NZ 2. Baarlinee 3. Robert John
8th of 12	26/6/26	Melton	1720m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr1	James Herbertson	2:07.80	1:59.6	18.8m	$3.90	11	NR up to 45	$4,000	$120	1. Jessicas Story 2. Little Tedey 3. Against The Bridle
1st of 8	15/6/26	Charlton	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	James Herbertson	2:00.60	2:00.6	4.6m	$3.70	4	NR up to 45	$4,000	$2,000	1. Robert John 2. Nedza Thriller 3. Baarlinee
1st of 7	11/6/26	Ballarat	1710m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	James Herbertson	2:09.40	2:01.7	2.1m	$1.60f	8	NR 38 to 43	$4,000	$2,000	1. Robert John 2. Rasengan 3. Nuclear Attitude
7th of 9	3/6/26	Bendigo	1650m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Connor Clarke	2:03.60	2:00.6	28.0m	$4.60	9	NR up to 42	$4,000	$120	1. Betsy Anne 2. Rasengan 3. Heart Of Graceland

Matisoff (Fr6) 9516063393
Trainer: Tim Mortlock (Carisbrook)
Driver: Jack Laugher
Prize Money: $7,000
Win / Place: 9.09% / 45%

4 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: YANKEE SPIDER (USA)

Dam: SHOWMETHEMAORI (AUS)

Rating

Stats

Career

11: 1-1-3

Distance

6: 1-0-2

Trk/Dst

0: 0-0-0

Track

0: 0-0-0

Season

6: 0-0-3

1st Up

1: 0-1-0

2nd Up

1: 0-0-0

3rd Up

1: 0-0-0

Metro

3: 0-0-1

Non-Metro

8: 1-1-2

Mobile

10: 1-1-3

Standing

1: 0-0-0

All-Weather

11: 1-1-3

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

2:03.42

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

5: 1-0-0

Comments

Improved last start with a good run when 3rd (Sr2) over 2190m at Maryborough, at the bell was 3rd-1 beaten 11 m by Dance Fighter (2:49.80) on October 30 at $18. Sure to be thereabouts again.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 10	30/10/26	Maryborough	2190m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr2	Leigh Sutton	2:49.80	2:04.8	11.6m	$18	15	0-1 WIN	$6,000	$600	1. Dance Fighter 2. Wedge Tail Eagle 3. Matisoff
2nd of 6	25/10/26	Maryborough	2190m			-	Trent Fiscalini	2:50.70	-	24m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Oliver Smudge 2. Matisoff 3. Lucky You
9th of 9	15/10/26	Swan Hill	2790m	Standing	All Weather	Fr	Jack Laugher	3:34.10	2:02.6	373.2m	$26	7	No NR	$12,000	$240	1. Off Your Faceski 2. Paris Kay 3. Black And Gold
3rd of 10	8/10/26	Kilmore	1690m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Leigh Sutton	2:06.20	2:00.2	20.9m	$41	15	0-1 WIN	$6,000	$600	1. Spirited Gigi 2. Woman To Love 3. Matisoff
1st of 2	4/10/26	Maryborough	2190m			-	T J Mortlock	2:53.30	-	15m	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Matisoff 2. Halfa Shot 3.
3rd of 9	23/9/26	Ballarat	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Leigh Sutton	2:44.20	2:00.1	6.0m	$81	16	NR 46 to 51	$6,000	$600	1. Joe Lou 2. Purple Moon 3. Matisoff

Oopzee Daizee (Fr7) 85x8680x87
Trainer: Joanne Franklin (Moonlight Flats)
Driver: Michael Bellman
Prize Money: $31,850
Win / Place: 15% / 35%

6 yo Brown Mare

Sire: MAJESTIC SON (CAN)

Dam: SECRET SUNDAZE (NZ)

Rating

Stats

Career

45: 7-3-6

Distance

24: 3-2-3

Trk/Dst

3: 1-0-0

Track

4: 1-1-0

Season

2: 0-0-0

1st Up

5: 1-0-1

2nd Up

5: 1-0-0

3rd Up

4: 0-0-0

Metro

9: 0-0-0

Non-Metro

36: 7-3-6

Mobile

45: 7-3-6

Standing

0: 0-0-0

All-Weather

45: 7-3-6

Slushy

0: 0-0-0

Grass

0: 0-0-0

Best Mile

2:00.90

Driver Stats

Driver/Horse

25: 3-2-4

Comments

Last start 7th (Sr4) over 2190m at Maryborough, at the bell was 10th-19.8 beaten 10 m by The Chook (2:46.20) on October 12 at $34. Before that, was well beaten after breaking at Ballarat on October 1. Can do a lot better in this suitable contest.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
7th of 10	12/10/26	Maryborough	2190m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr4	Michael Bellman	2:46.20	2:02.1	10.1m	$34	11	NR 43 to 48	$5,000	$140	1. The Chook 2. Purple Moon 3. Argyle Muse
8th of 10	1/10/26	Ballarat	1710m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Michael Bellman	2:06.20	1:58.8	122.4m	$21	146	NR 46 to 50	$6,000	$140	1. Night Flight 2. Miss Muscle 3. Life On The Hill
146 Day Spell
10th of 12	8/5/26	Charlton	2100m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr2	Michael Bellman	2:38.60	2:01.5	108.1m	$10	8	NR up to 49	$6,000	$140	1. Connies President NZ 2. Ataboy Charlie 3. Champagnes
8th of 12	30/4/26	Ballarat	2200m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Taylor Youl	2:44.90	2:00.7	26.5m	$34	22	NR 49 to 53	$6,000	$140	1. Kamaran 2. Ahundredplus 3. Buslin Brody
6th of 8	8/4/26	Bendigo	2150m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Michael Bellman	2:40.40	2:00.0	34.9m	$7.00	9	NR 42 to 47	$4,000	$120	1. Kyvalley Anthony 2. Poppy Popstar 3. Thats Your Opinion
8th of 8	30/3/26	Maryborough	1690m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Michael Bellman	2:04.50	1:58.6	21.5m	$9.50	70	NR 42 to 47	$4,000	$120	1. Manda Kyvalley 2. Poppy Popstar 3. Straight To Thetop
70 Day Spell

Race Review Abbreviations

Brk: Broke, Blkd: Blocked or held up, 1 x 1: One-out, one-back, Prkd: Parked, 3bk otr: 3 back on the outer, 3bk inr: Same as above, but on the inside, trld: Trailed, Gt spd: Showed gate speed, 3wd: 3-wide postd: Caught wide without cover, Held up: Held up, no gaps or few gaps: If they don't see any clear air in the straight, Inr-mid-wd -position: On the inside, mid = 1-off, wd = 3-wide or wider, flew hm wd: Flew home wide, dashd inr: Sprinted well on the inside, Chkd: Checked, Slow: Slow away at the start, Wltd: Wilted or got tired, Fdd: Faded late, Urgd: If the driver is getting stuck in

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