| Race | Horse | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| R7/2 | El Rocko | Meets key rivals better set up here today and suited in conditions |
| R9/3 | Brung King (Best) | Gets his ideal track conditions and fitter 2nd up is ideal |
Turf Talk
- The track was rated at a Soft 6 this morning, but there is rain forecast for the majority of the day so expecting track downgrades and a strong chance of a heavy track.
- The rail position is set at the True.
- It can be tough to make up ground on this track when it is wet, tempos will be key but also expecting runners to come away from the rails in the straight.
The Stats that Matter:
- Clint McDonald only has the one runner on this card now but generally his runners go well here at Sale, he has a winning strike rate of 21.8% at a POT of +36.9% at this track alone.
- Celine Gaudray is riding in super form, she has 23 wins from her last 100 rides at a POT of +56, engaged for 4 rides here today, all of them are single figure chances in markets.
Race 7 No.2 El Rocko
It is a small field for the Cup this year, and conditions feel as if they will be the key. Expecting a very wet track by this point of the day, so the runner who looks to have the best advantages in the wet conditions is El Rocko. His recent form has been good at Group and Listed levels, despite finishing 0.4L behind Cote Atlantique last start. He will get a 2.5kg swing on Cote Atlantique here. A heavy track is also to his advantage, his record in these conditions is (5:2-1-0) and he looks likely to push forwards and lead or settle in the first two in run, well set up to turn the tables on Cote Atlantique.
Race 9 No.3 Brung King (Best)
Brung King thrives on heavy rated tracks (5:3-1-0) so would be hoping by this last race of the day that the track is seriously wet as that would suit. He was solid for 2nd when resuming at Bendigo but generally improves with a run under his belt 2nd up into a prep (4:2-0-2). So he is suited at this fitness level, in ideal wet conditions and maps to be up on speed which we predict could be an advantage so hard to look past him today.
