Summary of Best Bets
Best Bet: Race 1 – (5) Saludar
Race 1
Saludar (5) showed plenty of promise in his first campaign, particularly in his second start when runner-up to Loud Charlie, who has since upheld the form well. He is the deserving favourite, and Grahame Begg always commands respect.
I’d argue French Accord (8) was in the right position relative to the pace last start, but that’s not to diminish the performance. She may be ridden more conservatively from the draw in a race with less speed.
Luscombe (9) seems to be quite sharp in his jump-outs and looks ready to make a promising debut.
Champagne Anyone (6) is another first starter who has attracted early support and is also trained by Begg.
Selections:
(5) Saludar
(8) French Accord
(9) Luscombe
(6) Champagne Anyone
Suggested Bet: (5) Saludar
Race 2
Lady Moscato (1) was placed in the deep end in her first preparation, racing on pace and setting fast tempos. She hasn’t jumped out particularly well, but I wonder whether she may not have needed to in order to beat this field.
Egyptian Dancer (4) led into the breeze at Caulfield last start and set a good pace. She can improve sharply.
Fontalicious (3) ran fast time to break her maiden at Cranbourne, then raced in South Australia against Nick Ryan’s well-regarded filly Rubare, where she finished second.
One Day At A Time (2) doesn’t appear to have developed much over her break, but she is suited back to 1000 metres.
Selections:
(1) Lady Moscato
(4) Egyptian Dancer
(3) Fontalicious
(2) One Day At A Time
Race 3
Without much confidence, Omamori (4) looks the right favourite in my view. He should race on pace under the guidance of the in-form apprentice and can be positive from the draw.
Shultzy (1) may be the best horse in the race, but he is difficult to side with as a betting proposition because he can be so slow away. He is completely dependent on race shape and tempo. He does back up quickly, though.
Motiver (10) may take up the lead and is fourth-up now, ready to peak this campaign.
Furtherest Point (7) was too far back last start and can settle closer tomorrow.
Selections:
(4) Omamori
(1) Shultzy
(10) Motiver
(7) Furtherest Point
Race 4
Tisseyre (8) was disappointing in a fast race last start over a mile, but drops back in distance to the trip over which she won dominantly two starts ago. She can roll forward.
Lantana (1) won well last start and is able to race prominently.
Hi Val (5) was only beaten by Lantana last start and finished strongly too. The discrepancy in price for a horse that was only narrowly beaten is why I have Lantana ahead of her in my numbers.
Jenni Agogo (3) won really well on debut, but I don’t think it was enough to justify favouritism in this.
Selections:
(8) Tisseyre
(1) Lantana
(5) Hi Val
(3) Jenni Agogo
Race 5
Saluted (4) returns to the races quickly after a good run on pace at this track and distance.
Escarpa (2) is always a risk because of his racing pattern, and especially here because he is not a 1000-metre horse, but he rates well nonetheless and must be respected.
Lavandula (5) was quite poor last start, but can bounce back after a light freshen-up.
Soju (7) has drawn awkwardly but has the figures to win a race like this if the race unfolds in her favour.
Selections:
(4) Saluted
(2) Escarpa
(5) Lavandula
(7) Soju
Race 6
Somewhere (2) has drawn awkwardly, but if ridden positively, the figure he ran last start would comfortably beat this field.
Perfect Ten (11) ticks all the boxes, but I could not justify her price. She is in form and rates well, but in my view will ease.
From A Distance (9) was better last start than he had been, but there is still improvement left in him.
Make It Sweet (10) is racing well, though he does drop back in distance.
Selections:
(2) Somewhere
(11) Perfect Ten
(9) From A Distance
(10) Make It Sweet
Race 7
Happy Tiers (4) came up along the inside first-up in a race that has since produced good form. She can improve from that and has Willo engaged.
Audio Pop Cam (1) has been excellent in two runs since returning from a spell, though those runs have been on synthetic. He has not yet performed on turf.
Proven Soul (9) is hard fit and will put itself on speed.
Tsarine (10) was just narrowly beaten last start and will have improved for the run.
Selections:
(4) Happy Tiers
(1) Audio Pop Cam
(9) Proven Soul
(10) Tsarine
Race 8
Join The Que (3) ran an excellent figure on the synthetic last start and has always given the impression that he has talent.
Jenni Multabella (14) clearly has some underlying injuries that have limited her racing, but on her day she is highly talented.
Zunna (11) may not have the peaks of the aforementioned two, but he is probably the more consistent of the trio, so if they regress, he should run well.
Silver Magnate (13) has been disappointing this campaign. I wonder whether a return to turf will bring about improvement.
Selections:
(3) Join The Que
(14) Jenni Multabella
(11) Zunna
(13) Silver Magnate
