Betsy’s Set: Strathalbyn

Race 1

Not a race that has huge depth to it and (6) Niamortal looks the runner who is coming back down slightly in grade which should suit. He led the field up last time out and was caught late, in an easier race here today and back slightly in grade suits. (9) Kindly has mixed form in his last two races but previous to that he ran 2nd over this same track/distance set up. Set up for a good run from the inside barrier. (7) Sir Monica generally gets back in runs but could be set up to swoop over the top late if they go along quick at the front. (2) Harlem Godfather resumes here and may be better suited over more ground, but maps a lot better than his last few starts.

(6) Niamortal
(9) Kindly
(7) Sir Monica
(2) Harlem Godfather

Suggested Bet – No bet, Niamortal looks the one to beat if he can hold form but looks short in the market

Race 2

(3) It’s Only Magic has been competitive in his last couple of starts in stronger rated maidens, he is drawn well in barrier 1 and expecting a positive ride so looks well set up. (8) Heat Of The Night ran well enough when resuming in a solid maiden and will be better suited rising slightly in trip. (2) Eagle Moon maps better here today than the previous start he had at this track, looks the likely leader of this field and will be the one to catch. (4) Sir Aali resumes here today, he trialled well recently and ran some solid ratings last prep, but those runs were on the Pt Augusta dirt track, the query is if he can transfer that form.

(3) It’s Only Magic
(8) Heat Of The Night
(2) Eagle Moon
(4) Sir Aali

Suggested Bet – It’s Only Magic (Win)

Race 3

(7) Annanda takes a sharp jump up in distance from her previous runs this prep, but she is in good form having placed in 3 of 4 starts this and maps to race on speed here, with a soft run she could take catching. (9) Flaming Eyes has been well supported in his last three starts and ran into the placings in all of those, he is in good form but will have to overcome a wide barrier. (6) Youbeeforty is another stayer in good form having run into the placings in his last two starts, he has drawn the inside barrier which should give him an economical run. (1) Captain Love raced flatter last time out but previous to that he was close to the winner over a staying trip, form back at that level would have him go close.

(7) Annanda
(9) Flaming Eyes
(6) Youbeeforty
(1) Captain Love

Suggested Bet – No bet, there isn’t much between the two at the top of the market and both have come up short

Race 4

Looks a very competitive staying race but keen to side with track/distance specialist (3) Spec Raider. He was a strong winner here two starts back and happy to be forgiving of his last start when he stepped up in grade and was on a heavy track, can bounce back here. (2) Sandpiper looks the main danger here; she is in super form of late having won two in a row before a placing last start. Again, maps to race in a prominent position. (4) Chartin looks the likely leader of the race, with a soft run out in front he could be the one to catch and looks close to a win after two recent placings. (5) Suit Of Wands is slightly down in grade on previous runs and could be a likely improver now.

(3) Spec Raider
(2) Sandpiper
(4) Chartin
(5) Suit Of Wands
Suggested Bet – Spec Raider (EW)

Race 5

(3) Rocktagon was well supported when fresh up at Murray Bridge. He hit the line strongly that day over the 900m trip so looks ideally suited rising up in trip today and getting onto his home track. (8) Reine Of Nine has mixed form in this prep but is dropping down in grade today and back to a midweek race which may help her find the required improvement. (1) Embellisher was solid when resuming in a similar level race to this, expect he can improve 2nd up now. (2) I Loverain has been close to a win in his last few starts having run into the placings in his last 3 starts, he may be better suited here today coming off the heavy track but needs luck from a wide barrier.

(3) Rocktagon
(8) Reine Of Nine
(1) Embellisher
(2) I Loverain

Suggested Bet – Rocktagon (Win)

Race 6

(3) Blue Special was a winner at his last start over the 1600m. He didn’t finish off as expected last start so suggest he may have had an issue, gets the chance to bounce back here with a soft race map and back to the 1600m. (2) Allegedly is a track specialist (7:3-1-2) who was a winner over this track/trip last start so expecting he will be well suited again in a similar field. (1) France’s Boy is a consistent veteran who looks the likely leader of this race which sets him up. (7) Sadler’s Song ran a close 2nd to Allegedly last time out, if he can run up to that rating he will go close again.

(3) Blue Special
(2) Allegedly
(1) France’s Boy
(7) Sadler’s Song

Suggested Bet – No bet, low confidence in the recent form of some of these

Race 7

(1) Mellifluent is 3rd up here today and will drop in grade from his previous runs so far this prep, he has been to this track once and won that day, may need luck from a wide barrier. (2) Big Mav is a last start winner here, he is suited fitter and rising in trip now, should be going close again. (3) Thebigsosso was strong through the line when winning last start, the wider barrier should see him get back in running so he will need an even track but has a turn of foot. (4) Bolted In improved 2nd up to finish within a length of the winner at Morphettville, he is a winner 3rd up previously and he should find this race and easier grade.

(1) Mellifluent
(2) Big Mav
(3) Thebigsosso
(4) Bolted In

Suggested Bet – No bet, looks tough to split the top few at the market and it’s tough to be confident early, want to know if the track is off or on rails for the chances of the top 2 runners.