Summary of Best Bets:
Race 5 No.1 Santastico (Best) – Good winner in a similar grade recently and finds himself in a similar race.
Race 7 No.2 Black Peppermint – Resumes off a freshen up and has a strong record at this distance.
Turf Talk:
- The rail moves out from its previous position and will be +4m from the 1000m to the 400m, True for the remainder.
- Clear weather is forecast and with hot conditions in the lead-up days, the track is expected to present as a Good 4.
- The track has played evenly this season, but in warmer conditions it can play faster so prefer runners with a positive race map.
Stats that matter:
- Apprentice Sophie Potter is in super form with 19 winners from her last 100 rides at a POT of +22.6%. She has five rides today.
- Darryl Dodson continues to have a strong recent record with 19 winners from his last 100 starters at a POT of +56.5%. He has two runners engaged today.
Race by race overview
Race 5:
SANTASTICO recently stepped back down in grade from metro level to country grade at Penola and was a solid winner there. He sets up similarly here, maps to get a positive run and in-form rider Campbell Rawiller sticks aboard. This race looks no tougher than last start, so he can be winning again if he holds that form.
BECAUSEYOU’RE MINE looks the next main danger, with CORK HARBOUR and ALLINTHETIMING rounding out the key chances.
Selections:
(1) Santastico
(4) Becauseyou’re Mine
(5) Cork Harbour
(3) Allinthetiming
Suggested Bet: (1) Santastico (Win)
Race 7:
BLACK PEPPERMINT was well supported last start at Pakenham in a stronger race but may have had issues and didn’t fire. He comes into this off a freshen up that included two tick-over trials, so fitness should still be there. He has a strong record at this distance range and his better form comes on dry tracks, which we expect here. He drops in grade from recent runs and sets up well.
VAN ROY, DARTBOARD and HASTA LA WAR look the main dangers.
Selections:
(2) Black Peppermint
(8) Van Roy
(7) Dartboard
(1) Hasta La War
Suggested Bet: (2) Black Peppermint (Win)
