The gorgeous surroundings of Murray Bridge play host to the main meeting from South Australia on Saturday.
The Wizard of Odds has eyes on his on a maiden in race three, while a resuming horse in race six has also tickled his fancy.
Murray Bridge Race 3
#3 Ashburton
This three-year-old filly from the Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes stable oozed class and professionalism at her two jump outs in preparation for her first-up assault.
She raced greenly on debut at Kilmore and did not let down as the market expected her and she was tipped out for a spell.
She looks to have come back in fantastic order and was not really asked to do much at either jump out but she strode around Flemington twice with ease.
It seems to have all clicked into place with her and from barrier 11, she can either press towards the lead or settle with cover.
She never came off the bridle in either jump out and suspect, if she was let rip, she would have put pay to some pretty handy opposition.
Great chance to break her maiden status.
Suggested Bet: Ashburton win at $3.6
Murray Bridge race 6
#8 zoist
Zoist started a well-backed $5 elect against Royal Mile back on March 27th but it all went amiss as he was beaten by 11 lengths.
Tony and Calvin McEvoy have since decided to give the three-year-old gelding a 10-week break with a trial in between runs before accepting for this.
His 800-metre Gawler trial in preparation for his return to racing was quite solid.
The stable has opted to go for senior jockey Barend Vorster and he should be able to cart his mount into a handy position.
He definitely has the ability to be a consistent Saturday-grade horse and gets the chance to prove those credentials in a race that is well set up for him.
Suggested Bet: Zoist win at $4
Murray Bridge Race 8
#5 Scottish Dancer
Scottish Dancer has grown a leg since joining the Andrew Bobbin stable.
He was originally with Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. but was acquired by Bobbin and won his first race for the new stable last start.
Jack Hill afforded him a beautiful run and, despite doing a bit wrong in the run, he still dashed away with 60.5 kilos on his back in BM-70 grade at Ballarat to win by one-and-a-half lengths.
He draws a perfect barrier again here and Bobbin has decided to apply a blinker to the galloper’s near side in an attempt to stop him from laying in costing himself lengths.
Suggested Bet: Scottish Dancer win at $4.8
Suggested Exotic: Exacta – 5 & 6
Murray bridge race 9
#4 Great Diviner
It has been a bit of a nightmare for Great Diviner since his slashing win on debut back in February.
He has drawn wide barriers at his past two runs and it cost him dearly having to settle back further than his connections would like.
Barrier two combined with a rise in distance should see him settle much closer to the lead speed and within touching so he can use this sprint to full effect.
He steps down in grade from BM-62 level to a BM-60 event and does have to carry 60 kilos but that should be offset by the balance and strength of senior rider Todd Pannell.
The horse clearly has his quirks with ear muffs, a norse roll and a tongue tie all part of his race day gear.
Expecting him to put it all together here and make career win number two.
Suggested bet: Great Diviner win at $3.5
Suggested Exotic: Boxed First Four – 3, 4, 8, 11, 14
