Can anyone stop the flying Lofty Strike in the time-honoured Goodwood this Saturday at Morphettville? The Julius Sandhu-trained three-year-old gets his chance to taste Group 1 success after narrowly missing on several occasions this preparation. With the Proud Miss Stakes and Centaurea Stakes also featured on the program, all eyes will be on the city of churches!
#8 Thought Provoking
Thought Provoking is knocking on the door! The So You Think mare has been narrowly beaten in both starts this preparation, and she can go one better on Saturday with even luck in transit. From a middle gate, I expect her to roll forward and take up the running, and if she can control tempo through the middle stages of the race, she may prove hard to run down. She is ready for the step out in distance and is one of the better bets on a competitive program.
Cap De Joie can bounce back after being beaten as an odds-on favourite at Sandown. The Farhh mare will appreciate the 2000m, and the drop to 55kg could prove the winning difference. She deserves her shot at this level, and I expect her to storm home when the whips are cracking. She will always need luck with her pattern of racing.
Last Girl Love is a must for broader multiples and exotics. The Snitzel mare is producing a consistent preparation and will eat up every inch of the long journey. She is rock hard fit at this stage of her preparation, and if she can take the next step up in grade, she can upset her more fancied rivals.
Suggested Bet: Thought Provoking @ $3.90
Morphettville Race 7
#5 I Am Bene
I Am Bene flys fresh! The I Am Invincible mare is undefeated first up, and her record at 1200m is exceptional. Her trial leading into this event was red-hot, and she looks well placed at the stakes level carrying 55.5kg. From barrier one, she can box seat, and if the gaps appear at the top of the straight, I expect her to savage the line and figure in the finish. Over the odds!
Foxicon will start favourite after a near-perfect campaign. The Foxwedge mare beat a quality field at Sandown last start, and she can continue on her winning ways here from a favourable inside draw. She has won four out of five races impressively this preparation, and she has earnt her shot at a decent race. The Peter Moody factor must be respected, and I am sure the flood of money will continue until the barrier opens.
Despite jumping from the carpark, the raw Legless Lady can run a big race at cricket score odds. Her first-up run at 1100m was eye-catching, and I expect a forward performance over her pet distance on Saturday. She is building an excellent career record, and if the penny finally drops, she could blow this field away.
Suggested Bet: I Am Bene @ $10.00
Morphettville Race 8
#10 Zoutori
Zoutori can turn the clock back on Saturday! The Zoustar gelding was good fresh carrying the grandstand, and he will appreciate the drop to 54.5kg. From barrier two, Craig Williams can settle the rising eight-year-old closer to the speed, and if he can angle out at the right time, he can cause a boil-over in the feature event of the day.
The talented Lofty Strike will start favourite after a couple of near misses at the top level. His run fresh in the Oakleigh plate was a beauty, and his effort in the Newmarket was gallant. The Snitzel colt didn’t handle the bottomless track in the T.J. Smith. However, he gets his best chance and the conditions to taste Group 1 glory! He has the correct form lines for this event, and the punters haven’t missed him in the market.
General Beau has returned in excellent order. His two runs this campaign have been teasing without threatening, and he is ready to explode third-up from a spell. He is ideally weighted and prepared for the step out to the six furlongs. If he can sit midfield with cover, I expect him to make his presence felt inside the final furlong. The rise in class is his biggest challenge.
Suggested Bet: Zoutori @ $14.00
Morphettville Race 9
#9 Way To Go Paula
Way To Go Paula is edging towards her next victory. The Nostradamus mare has loomed to win at both runs this preparation, and a peak performance for the preparation could be on the menu Saturday. Her record at the distance must be respected, and she looks well placed at Benchmark 64 level. She strips fitter here, and she is ready. The appointment of Craig Williams could prove a winning move.
Jacks On Ice will start favourite after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory last start. The Valentia was home and hosed before taking baby steps over the concluding stages. He is rock-hard fit, and I expect him to take up pole position jumping from an inside draw. He will look like the winner on straightening, and if you have a live ticket with his name on it, close your eyes for the last 50m.
Midnight Mass can run a drum at a big quote. The Proisir gelding is making his Australian debut, and his New Zealand form reads well for this event. His recent trial will have him cherry ripe for a first-up tilt, and I won’t be surprised to see him crunched in the market late. His winning record is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Way To Go Paula @ $8.00
