Summary of Best Bets:
Race 1 No.10 Pretty Perky – Best
Race 2 No.9 Uptown Monk
Race 5 No.6 Vaniteux – Value
Turf Talk:
- Clear weather is forecast for race day but there is a chance of rain on Tuesday which could soften the track. Despite this, expecting a Good 4 to kick the meeting off.
- Rail moves to +2.5m W/Post–400m, True 400m–W/Post.
- In dry conditions, give a slight advantage to on speed runners.
Key stats:
- Shane & Cassie Oxlade strike at 16.1% at Strathalbyn with a PoT of +14.4%. The stable is also in good recent form, returning a PoT of +20% from its last 100 starters.
- Jake Toeroek has had 431 rides at Strathalbyn, striking at 17.4% with a PoT of +8.8%.
Race by race overview
Race 1:
(10) Pretty Perky hit the line strongly last start to finish in the placings in what rates as a stronger Maiden than what she finds herself in today. She is suited in a slightly easier race and up in distance.
(2) Mikki Tango is rock hard fit now deep into the prep so is suited at the 1600m and can get a soft run near the front from a good barrier.
(1) Captain Love resumes, he may have improvement to come over further but can run along at this distance and settle in a good position.
(4) Cornerback ran well at this track two starts ago but put in a bad one last time. He can find improvement here today with a slightly easier race map.
Selections:
(10) Pretty Perky
(2) Mikki Tango
(1) Captain Love
(4) Cornerback
Suggested Bet: Win (10) Pretty Perky
Race 2:
(9) Uptown Monk was well supported on debut in a Saturday-level Maiden where he finished fourth. He should find this slightly easier and maps to be prominent, looks the one to beat.
(2) Elite Thunder finished midfield in a stronger Maiden at Morphettville to kick off his campaign. He gets a better race map today from a low barrier and is fitter second-up, can find improvement.
(10) Causeweluvadelaide maps as the likely leader which could suit here in dry conditions and can take catching if he gets a soft time out in front.
(6) No Bail makes his debut off a recent hot trial performance. He looks capable of winning in this grade but has work to do from a wide barrier.
Selections:
(9) Uptown Monk
(2) Elite Thunder
(10) Causeweluvadelaide
(6) No Bail
Suggested Bet: Win (9) Uptown Monk
Race 3:
(1) Aitch D’amico can mix his form but two starts back placed in a similar race to this before a strong midfield effort in the Strathalbyn Cup. This is much easier and he can win if he holds that form.
(2) Warrandyte Road is in career-best form including a last-start win at Gawler. He is rock hard fit and generally competitive here at his home track.
(6) Badonkidonk ran a close second over this track and distance last start and only needs slight improvement with a better race map.
(9) Shadow Hawk carries a light weight again and from the inside barrier could push forward and give them something to catch.
Selections:
(1) Aitch D’amico
(2) Warrandyte Road
(6) Badonkidonk
(9) Shadow Hawk
Suggested Bet: No bet.
Race 4:
(1) Gin Rummy has only won once so far but looks better suited dropping in grade from earlier this prep. He can settle closer from barrier two and gets his chance.
(5) Joviale broke through impressively at Gawler last start. That may have been a peak performance but he can win again if holding that form.
(8) The Ice Cutter may need luck from a wider barrier as he is expected to settle back but with a light weight should be strong late.
(6) Tofino is on the quick back-up after racing Friday at Gawler. He appears better suited back to 1600m and can settle forward.
Selections:
(1) Gin Rummy
(5) Joviale
(8) The Ice Cutter
(6) Tofino
Suggested Bet: No bet.
Race 5:
(6) Vaniteux is lightly raced but has produced two good performances here at her home track. She rated highly last start when a close second and sets up well from an inside barrier with weight relief from a handy apprentice claim.
(1) Beachbarbeckons ran well first-up before a poor effort last time. He returned to the trials and hit the line strongly which suggests he can bounce back down in grade.
(5) Right Of Veto showed speed when resuming and should be fitter second-up. He may be better suited settling forward and was competitive in stronger races last preparation.
(4) Tenterk is a last-start winner at this track and should be suited rising in distance. If they overdo it in front he can swoop late.
Selections:
(6) Vaniteux
(1) Beachbarbeckons
(5) Right Of Veto
(4) Tenterk
Suggested Bet: Each Way (6) Vaniteux
Race 6:
(2) Bargain Boy looks suited dropping in grade after quickly rising in level following a maiden win. He rates highly but may get little luck from the wide barrier. If he crosses early, confidence increases.
(5) Orlova was well supported when winning in Maiden grade. This is a small rise in class but she gets in well at the weights and can settle nicely from a middle draw.
(1) Rousing Refrain won here first-up before a moderate effort last start. He drops in grade and can be a bigger threat if settling closer.
(3) Oldpop may get the run of the race in what shapes as a muddling tempo and could recapture better form.
Selections:
(2) Bargain Boy
(5) Orlova
(1) Rousing Refrain
(3) Oldpop
Suggested Bet: No bet.
Race 7:
(7) Prodigal Lad hasn’t shown a great deal this prep but often improves with racing and gets his chance rising to 1350m where he has won before. A moderate tempo should see him handy.
(3) Ironbar hit the line strongly in a similar race last start. From a wide barrier he may settle back again and needs an even track but is suited rising in distance.
(2) Frankel Star resumes from a long spell and can surprise fresh given a solid first-up record and a favourable map.
(4) Hard Leaf draws low and should improve second-up.
Selections:
(7) Prodigal Lad
(3) Ironbar
(2) Frankel Star
(4) Hard Leaf
Suggested Bet: No bet.
