Summary of Best Bets:
Race 4 (8) Golden Eyes
Turf Talk:
- Rail 8m
- With the rail out 8m I would expect this to be a bit of a leaders track and should be an advantage to be on the fence in run also.
- But as always, wait and see as the day unfolds.
Stats that matter:
- Ryan Maloney has 11 winners from his last 50 rides and in good form. Is striking at 19.3% for the last 12 months.
- Ben Thompson has 12 winners from his last 50 rides and an extremely strong book of rides here today.
Race by race overview
Race 1:
The bottom two have far less convictions and could fight this out. They haven’t drawn well but look to have upside. (9) Silent Thinker is with the Dunn stable and was a solid 3rd on debut at the GC over 1300m. Fitter and back to 1200m is not a big concern.
(10) Zous A Chance was back in a very slow run race and was the best L200m there. Could improve sharply off the run.
Selections:
(9) Silent Thinker
(10) Zous A Chance
(2) Savasteel
(1) Beat The Rap
Suggested Bet: No bet
Race 2:
(8) Listen Jani has been good at both career runs. Was on speed and brave last start although beaten on the line. From the wide gate I would expect the apprentice to be aggressive early.
(2) Extreme Taste wasn’t far off the above horse last time out and can improve fitness wise. Likely to get back from the gate is a little concern.
(6) Assumed has been well beaten at each run. She is an I Am Invincible filly and in the Waller stable so you have to respect. That Sydney form might well be much stronger.
(5) Arctic Bright is consistent but just doesn’t win.
Selections:
(8) Listen Jani
(6) Assumed
(2) Extreme Taste
(5) Arctic Bright
Suggested Bet: Small win (8) Listen Jani
Race 3:
800m dash and always luck involved here.
(2) Laurels was a big trial winner and showed speed there. Gate 2 is a bonus and can be in this for a long way.
(5) Sun Sister went around in some handy races last time in work. Hasn’t been seen at the trial this prep and if there is money for this stable, you can promote this horse. Is a winner this track/trip.
Thought the trials of (11) Queen Olympias and (12) Tassy Devil were good enough to win on debut and not surprise.
Selections:
(5) Sun Sister
(12) Tassy Devil
(2) Laurels
(11) Queen Olympias
Suggested Bet: No bet
Race 4:
Small field but I am a big fan of (8) Golden Eyes and the Bruce stable haven’t found the ceiling with him yet. Comes here off two solid wins and 2000m should not be an issue. Thompson on is just another positive.
Dominant win in a plain race last start by (1) Stranglehold. He has been consistent since joining the new stable and clearly the best late last start over the 1800m. Looks a suitable target.
(2) Yukanuma and (6) Golden Smilemight be next best in a race that drops away pretty quickly to be honest.
Selections:
(8) Golden Eyes
(1) Stranglehold
(2) Yukanuma
(6) Golden Smile
Suggested Bet: Win (8) Golden Eyes
Race 5:
Don’t love the get back style of (11) Riez Souvant but I reckon he might have the most upside in the race. It will take a good ride but Thompson is on and he’s the best we have up here. Rock hard fit 4th up and the one to beat with even luck in running.
(2) Kunderbung is alright but is a bit of a ‘follower’. Last couple have had some merit, just lacks a turn of foot to win races.
(1) Caishen has also been a pass mark this prep. Fitter for three runs back and ready to show best now. Needs a good ride from the outside gate.
Selections:
(11) Riez Souvant
(1) Caishen
(2) Kunderbung
(10) Hard As Brok
Suggested Bet: Win (11) Riez Souvant
Race 6:
Completely ruined by scratching’s. Three of my top 4 have all come out of this and zero interest in the race now.
(6) Moshulu Spirit looks to be a handy one on the way up. Two runs for two win this prep and another good ride for Thompson.
(5) Satisfied Mugs has mixed form but I feel has good ability on the right day. Has come right into this after all the others come out.
(2) Paleface Ringo is consistent and comes here off a win. Would rather a shorter trip, bit of a concern at 1200m.
Selections:
(7) Moshulu Spirit
(5) Satisfied Mugs
(2) Paleface Ringo
(10) Carbonara
Suggested Bet: No
Race 7:
(2) Petite Palace has run well here and was runner up to Balance The Books who has since franked the form. The 3kg claim will help and inside gate a bonus too.
(9) Artistic Endeavour was a 13 start maiden until last start so I don’t want to get too carried away with the win. Could get some confidence from it though and has run well at this track.
Thinking Gollan might be positive with (12) Chantilly. Has been consistent without being great. Winner at Gatton last start and just 54kg after the claim.
(13) Flaxlands is Waller and both runs this prep have been decent. 45 days between runs and she could be competitive.
(1) No Name Frank would win on his best form. Couple of months between runs so look for some market support.
Selections:
(2) Petite Palace
(12) Chantilly
(1) No Name Frank
(13) Flaxlands
(9) Artistic Endeavour
Suggested Bet: No
Race 8:
Best bet of the day has come out of this, not ideal. So has the second top pick.
Impossible to catch (5) Aldofito but anything like the last effort and he could win. The form before that doesn’t give you much confidence though.
(12) Chica Mojito is a Group level horse and she comes here off the Listed race where she was lapped. Huge drop in grade and her best would win.
(6) Chicago Fireball is ex-overseas and new to the Gollan camp. Trials ok without being great. Market the best guide to fitness and ability first up in Australia.
Selections:
(12) Chica Mojito
(6) Chicago Fireball
(5) Aldofito
(4) Pareto
Suggested Bets: no
