Wolverhampton preview: Course specialist Berlusca the one to beat
Published:
David Metcalf | October 27, 2015
Berlusca has a tremendous record at Wolverhampton and can further enhance it with victory in the 1m 1f handicap on today’s twilight card at the Midlands venue (18.10).
The David O’Meara trained gelding is a six-time winner at the track, and three of those successes have come over this evening’s trip.
In the last of those back in January, Berlusca dead-heated off a mark of 82 before being awarded the race outright after a stewards’ enquiry.
The six-year-old was then off the track for 134 days, and badly needed the run on return to action at Haydock in May.
Since then Berlusca has posted some really solid efforts, including when finishing a two length runner-up at Haydock off his current mark of 84 and a fine sixth of of 17 to Barreesh in a competitive contest at York.
Bersluca also ran very well last time out over course and distance when third of 13 to the well-treated Aleator, and this looks less competitive and represents a fine opportunity for the son of Holy Roman Emperor to get back to winning ways.
Oil Strike to make a splash
In the 5f handicap (17.10), Oil Strike can take advantage of a huge drop in the weights to register an overdue success.
The Mick Easterby trained gelding is on a long losing run of 17, having not scored since landing a 5f contest at Thirsk back in 2013 off a mark of 74.
However, the eight-year-old did run well over course and distance in March when a close-up third off 66 and was also far from disgraced four starts back over 5f at Lingfield when a length runner-up off 63.
Oli Strike is now able to race in this off just 57, 17lbs lower than when last successful and a career-low.
It gives Oil Strike major claims at the weights on the pick of his form, and his shrewd connections are now reapplying the blinkers and fitting him with a tongue-tie for the first time.
If that combination has the desired effect, Oil Strike could make a total mockery of his current mark.
Selections
16.40: Diletta Tommasa
17.10: Oil Strike (NB)
17.40: Blacklister
18.10: Berlusca (NAP)
18.40: Important Point
19.10: Fitzwilliam
19.40: We Are Ninety
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