Yarra Valley trots.
Racing returns to Yarra Valley on Monday and the day has quite a football theme running through its veins.
In Race 8, the United Petroleum 3yo Pace, one of the main chances will be the Charlie Wootton-trained pacer Dependlebury, who was named after Collingwood footballer Scott Pendlebury.
Considered one of the most reliable players in the sport and the captain of his club, fans often refer to him as Dependlebury, a play on the word dependable.
Wootton and his part-owner Dannie McKinnon, who has three runners on the day, are both dedicated Collingwood supporters and came up with name Dependlebury.
The horse is proving to live up to his name having had 6 starts for a win, two seconds and two fourths and will once again be a great chance in this race.
Coincidentally the Jayne Davies-trained runner in the same race Stone of Destiny is part-owned by Scott Pendlebury and Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley. Stone of Destiny has had two starts for two fourths, matching his owners' on-field consistency.
Mr McKinnon’s first runner is in Race 6, Arden Castle who has proven ultra-consistent since arriving from New Zealand for Julie Douglas will be a great chance in what appears the most even race on the card. Arden Castle is also part-owned by former Geelong footballer and larger than life figure Billy Brownless.
The feature race on the day is Race 7, the yarravalleyracing.com.au pace, which is the old fashioned Free For All. Phil Monty (Number 1) and Party Boy (Number 2) are both rising in grade but racing in great fashion whilst the Amanda Turnbull duo of Highview Conall and Ardle Mcardle are both quality proven performers that will take a lot of beating. The other class runner in the field is Washmepockets, once again part-owned by Dannie McKinnon, he raced in the Hunter Cup earlier in the year and off the back of a strong second in similar grade last week at Shepparton you’d expect he would right in the mix in this race.
The Valley Guru is very keen on getting there nice and early as my best value bet for the day will come up in Race 1, Black Saddle (Number 2). He has had no luck with barrier draws lately, but this looks an ideal draw and winnable race for him. I'm also very keen on Jukebox Music (Number 9) in Race 4. He is dropping down significantly in grade and could be another at reasonable value.
For all the Valley Guru’s tips head to https://www.facebook.com/yarravalleyracing and like the page.
Media enquiries:
CODY WINNELL
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HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
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t: 03 8378 0288 | f: 03 9214 0699 | e: cwinnell@hrv.org.au
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