Betsy’s Set: Murray Bridge

Track

• Rail position goes out here from the previous meeting and will be +8m (1200m chute), +10.5m remainder.
• Minimal rain is forecast in the lead-up, so the expectation is a Good 4.
• Murray Bridge generally makes it tough to lead; advantage to runners who can find cover in the run.

Stats

• Trainers to follow: Stuart Gower has 12 wins from his last 100 runners (POT +34.8%) and a POT of +18.2% from 10 winners at this track. Shayne & Chelsea Cahill also go well here with a POT of +96.7%.
• Jockey to follow: Jacob Opperman strikes at 15.1% at Murray Bridge with a POT of +35.4%.

Race 1

Competitive maiden to kick off the meeting. Two runners who hit the line strongly last start and look suited rising in trip are (5) TYGA TASTE and (4) SUIT OF WANDS. Both drop slightly in grade, but if splitting the pair, (5) TYGA TASTE maps for the better on-speed run from a low draw, which should give him a softer trip—there isn’t much between them. (1) CITY PRO has had strong market support in both runs to date; suggest he didn’t handle the wet track last week and can improve. (10) ON THE MAP looks a horse who will be better over more ground and gets that here rising to 1600m for the first time.

(5) Tyga Taste
(4) Suit Of Wands
(1) City Pro
(10) On The Map

Race 2

(1) CAPITALEX resumes for a new stable and looks a strong chance at this level compared to the company he faced last prep. Recent trials have been handy and he appeals in a mid-week maiden of this depth. (11) ARTISTIC ANGEL improved with a run last prep and was competitive in stronger races; better suited here second-up and maps to race on speed. (8) GOLDEN TUNES can go one better than his debut second at Naracoorte and should be prominent for a long way on speed.

(1) Capitalex
(11) Artistic Angel
(8) Golden Tunes

Race 3

(5) KING RAMSIS failed last start but the run looked too bad to be true. He gets a significant class drop and a soft map from the inside draw, which should help him bounce back to previous form where he was winner over this track/trip. (7) REFRESHING also drops in grade and looks to be in a prominent on-speed position over this short trip. (3) ROCKTAGON has been freshened and should be better suited on a dry track than in recent runs. (8) REINE OF NINE deserves respect given her strong track and distance record (5:2-2-1).

(5) King Ramsis
(7) Refreshing
(3) Rocktagon
(8) Reine Of Nine

Race 4

(3) THREATENING makes his debut for a new stable and should make an impact here given the solid NSW form he brings from stronger races. He’s drawn wide and looks likely to get back in the run, but they should roll along quickly which can set it up for him to swoop over the top late. (4) BROADBEACH MISS rises in grade after winning her maiden; that race has produced two subsequent winners, so the form stacks up and she maps softly. (1) MURPH is second-up and typically improves with a run; expect natural progression. (6) COPPER BULLET won two back before racing midfield up in grade; better placed here.

(3) Threatening
(4) Broadbeach Miss
(1) Murph
(6) Copper Bullet

Race 5

In her last start, (5) BALISTIQUE showed a glimpse of prior form and may now have found a suitable level. The race appears to lack pace, which should allow her to land in a strong position from a wider alley. (1) OBI drops slightly in grade and is likely better suited on dry ground here compared to recent wet-track runs. (2) BLUE SPECIAL has been freshened after a disappointing effort; his prior form is good enough to win at this level. (4) FLYING STEP maps to get a soft run and could pinch it with luck, though her best is over further.

(5) Balistique
(1) Obi
(2) Blue Special
(4) Flying Step

Race 6

The resuming (5) PELEVECCHIO looks the standout class runner given she ended last prep competing at group level. While she’s likely better over further, 1400m is a suitable kick-off and she may simply be too classy back in this grade. She also has a positive track/trip profile. (7) TWIN ENGINE is the key danger second-up and rising to 1400m, coming from what’s proving a strong race behind CASH. (9) PULAMBI drops in trip and grade, which can spark a rebound. (3) SHISUTA BO is probably better over longer, but maps to lead and could pinch it if left alone.

(5) Pelevecchio
(7) Twin Engine
(9) Pulambi
(3) Shisuta Bo

Race 7

(1) HYPERNOVA loves Murray Bridge (5:2-1-2). He won here two back before a solid effort up in grade last start; a strong showing from TWIN ENGINE earlier would further frank the form. (3) SOLAR MIST shocked two starts back when winning in Saturday grade; he was a touch disappointing last start and now gets class relief. (6) COSTLESS is second-up; trials were handy and his 2nd-up record is much better (4:2-0-0), so expect improvement. (8) ALOHA BLUE drops in grade and rises to 1200m, which looks suitable.

(1) Hypernova
(3) Solar Mist
(6) Costless
(8) Aloha Blue