An old friend showed he can add to punters pockets again with a strong jumpout at Flemington on Friday.
We listed Radipole after his first jumpout last preparation and the import subsequently did the business at Caulfield after two promising runs. The Mike Moroney-trained five-year-old appears to have progressed and showed good speed in heat two, suggesting he can be competitive at a good level through the spring.
Friday's 12 heats over 800m were on the steeple grass, starting from the 1600m and markers out four metres, the track riding in the good(4) range.
Click here to see the heats.
Racenet has highlighted three horses it could pay for punters to follow in the coming weeks.
MERCIABELLE
Unraced three-year-old filly by I Am Invincible and trained by Lindsay Park Racing. Jumped from the inside and settled last early in heat 11. Gradually built momentum and came through under her own steam to join stablemate Never Too Hard inside the final 75m and edge clear to score in 46.02 seconds. Had a good look around when she got in front and twitched her ears, she looks open to further improvement.
Career (Unraced)
RADIPOLE
Settled third early in heat two as Shaf set the pace with Esperance restrained and a clear last. Always travelling strongly, Radipole edged to the front late under mild urging from Patrick Moloney to defeat Shaf by half a length in 46.92 seconds with Esperance cutting through late for third, beaten one length. A Listed winner over 1600m in France, Radipole has improved physically, is more relaxed and the way he is training suggests he can improve again in better races in the spring.
Career (11-5:1:2)
WANTED DIVA
Jumped from the outside under Craig Williams in heat four and raced widest all the way. Always travelling strongly but not allowed to roll, this heat was run moderately early with the Ellerton Zahra-trained Casares leading. The tempo lifted after halfway, Wanted Diva coasting through the line under a hold last of the five behind the Danny O'Brien-trained Winkelmann in 46.11 seconds but less than a length covered them at the finish. Won over 1000m last time out at Moonee Valley in June for Lindsay Park Racing to earn a rating of 68 and shapes as though she has not finished improving.
Career (3-2:0:0)