Istolea Merc revved up to prove bookies wrong in comeback run
Neil Evans
A lightly raced five-year-old is set to bounce back with big chances in a high-quality sprint at today’s Canterbury Park holiday meeting.
Istolea Merc has not raced since running over 1400 meters in the Mudgee Cup at the beginning of December. But the frugal racing son of Winning Rupert can claim a fifth win in only his 13th start when he lines up in a strong and wide-open TAB Benchmark 88 Handicap over 1100m.
Set on a track that has dried out over a deep schedule, Istolea Merc will likely compete with double-figure odds for trainer Bjorn Baker and team owners in a race with plenty of chances.
Istolea Merc has not won since her 1100m victory on BM 72 at Warwick Farm early last spring.
But he has never finished lower than second when new, equipped with two trials and salvaged for this race by significantly stripping away at Randwick on Saturday, and more importantly on a solid surface.
Istolea Merc opened nearly $12 in the early betting and was well behind the smart provincial filly Memoria and about $7.50 ahead of the $6.50 Crepe Myrtle in a wide early betting line.
Baker-trained stablemate Snack Bar ($8) was also pressed into early service and, although the first reserve, will likely start with the Kembla mare Harry’s Bar racing on Saturday.
The Baker team will run a high-priced stunt to close the meeting when the talented four-year-old Pentagon resumes the BM 72 Handicap over 1250m.
Back after a similar break and two improved trials, Pentagon was around $5 in the early market behind the consistent three-year-old Tuscan, who improved his rating to claim his third win from his last four starts.
The track was rated a soft 5 yesterday but could improve to a good 4 today.
Provided by Racing NSW
