Sandown - Choquant

Punters were understandably reaching for their blackbooks after the first race at Sandown on Wednesday, which was won impressively by Fretta.

But the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained import is not the only horse out of the 1500-metre race many made a note of with runner-up Choquant unlucky not to have finished much closer than the 3-1/2-length beaten margin. 

The four-year-old showed impressive tactical speed for a son of Shocking, settling outside the leader, but that proved to his detriment when he was run off the track rounding the home turn.

Despite that, Choquant got going again in the straight and finished resolutely to beat home all bar Fretta. Choquant's 12.08secs last 200m was the second-fastest of the race behind Fretta (11.79), while he covered 1518m in the run compared to Fretta's 1507m.

The Sandown effort followed a luckless first-up run at Geelong, also over 1500m, when Choquant was held up for virtually the entirety of the straight, and you'd think he wouldn't remain a maiden for much longer.

 

Warwick Farm - Junqueira

Junqueira was well-backed to beat blueblood filly De An Andretti in the 1100m F&M BM72 at Warwick Farm on Wednesday and while her supporters missed out there, they might not have to wait too long to collect if they remain loyal.

The John O'Shea-trained three-year-old's effort to finish third, beaten three quarters of a length, at her second start was full of merit.

Like on debut, the daughter of Capitalist was slightly slowly away and settled a conspicuous last before swinging wide on the home turn.

Her 32.95-second final 600m was the second-fastest of the meeting, just 0.02secs behind Cotton Fingers, and included a 21.47secs last 400m.

From a better barrier, with a better start, Junqueira will be something to beat in a similar class of race next time out.