Ladies and gentlemen, punters, equine and wagering enthusiasts, welcome to another edition of Lay of the Day. Today we're heading to Coffs Harbour where the favourite in Race 4 is about to find out what happens when you draw barrier 3 in an absolute speed battle. I'm talking about All Torn Up, and I reckon this one's vulnerable.
The Speed Battle From Hell
Here's the problem, punters. All Torn Up is classified as very fast early, and that's normally fine, except there are EIGHT likely leaders in this 1010 metre sprint. Eight bloody horses going flat chat from the gates. Intense Steel, Send A Telegram, City Of Tears, Millennium Prayer, Risk Assessment, Time And Rhythm, Clan D'oro, and our favourite all want to be on the speed. That's carnage, ladies and gentlemen. Absolute carnage.
Reece Jones and Todd Howlett have got a decision to make from barrier 3. Do they join the speed war and get into a tear-up with seven other runners, or do they try to restrain a very fast beginner and get caught three wide with no cover? Either way, I'd be shocked if this bloke gets the soft run he needs to justify being the favourite.
The pace map tells you everything you need to know. This is going to be fast early, and when eight horses are scrapping for the lead over 1010 metres, something's got to give. I think the real danger here is Send A Telegram from the outside gate. Let the others belt each other senseless, and he can sit just off them and pick up the pieces.
The Verdict
All Torn Up won a maiden at Taree last start, which is fine, but this is a Class 1 with a ridiculous speed scenario. The favourite is way too short when you've got eight horses all wanting to lead in a 1010 metre sprint. The math doesn't work, punters. Someone's getting cooked, and I reckon it'll be our short-priced favourite caught up in the speed battle with nowhere to go.
Look for Send A Telegram or City Of Tears to be running on when the speed horses start to wilt. This is a lay all day long. Fire up, punters.
