Autumn Group 1 racing heads Morphettville this Saturday. The Australasian Oaks and Robert Sangster Stakes are the feature events on the stunning program, and with a menagerie of Group 2 and Group 3 races also front and centre, all roads lead to the city of churches. The Showdown is the main attraction at Caulfield, and with $1,000,000 up for grabs, plenty of punters will be heading to the heath.
Morphettville Race 5
#8 Skybird
Skybird caught the eyes of punters fresh at Bendigo over an unsuitable distance. The Exosphere filly hit the line hard, and she put the writing on the wall for a fruitful campaign ahead. The step out in distance is advantageous, and her record second-up must be respected. The talented three-year-old strips fitter after her recent outing, and I expect her to figure in the finish with even luck in transit.
Arkansaw Kid has been good without winning this preparation. The Harry Angel colt has rubbed shoulders with some serious gallopers this campaign, and I suspect he has found the right third-up assignment on Saturday. The big boy has been crunched in early betting, and if he can overcome the carpark draw, he can loom to win. His racing pattern and style will always require an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Skybird @ $6.00
Morphettville RACE 6
#4 Shuffle Dancer
Shuffle Dancer can run a big race at cricket-score odds. The I Am Invincible mare gave a good sight second-up at Bendigo, and she is a third-up specialist. She finds her pet distance here, and I suspect she has been trained to the minute for this event. From barrier nine she doesn’t have to slide forward and leave the kettle on, and if she hits the front at the top of the home straight, she will again look the winner at a decent quote. She is over the odds!
Campionessa is too talented to dismiss. The Contributer mare has been luckless at her previous two outings, and she looks well placed in this company. The addition of James McDonald will attract market support, and I suspect she has the fitness edge on the majority of her rivals. A must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Shuffle Dancer @ $26.00
Morphettville Race 7
#2 Wings Of Song
Wings Of Song is flying! The Mendelssohn filly recently put the picket fence next to her name, and she looks to have the world at her feet. The step out to 2000m holds no fears, and she looks well placed in this company. The talented three-year-old boasts a devastating turn of foot, and she has the rare ability of putting her rivals to the sword a long way from home. It’s hard to see her missing the drum on Saturday, and she represents fantastic each way value. She is a marvel!
Pulchritudinous was a dominant winner of the New Zealand Oaks. Despite giving her rivals a decent head start, she gobbled them up late and eased down for the judge and photographer. Her record at the distance must be respected, and her camp are training winners for fun at present. The length of her current preparation is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Wings Of Song @ $5.00
Morphettville Race 8
#12 Estriella
Estriella is the most exciting racing prospect in the country at present. The I Am Invincible filly remains undefeated this campaign, and her versatility is well beyond her years and experience. The wide gate is a minor concern, and if she does roll forward to chase the bunny, she will look the winner as they run for the doctor. I suspect she will sit midfield with cover, and if she is produced with her run before they hit the final furlong, her rivals will be running for second place. Happy to push the chips in here.
I Am Me was great fresh behind Imperatriz in the William Reid. From barrier two she can camp on the leaders back throughout, and if she sees daylight before the whips are cracking, I expect her to figure in the finish. She traditionally performs well at this stage of her preparation, and if the favourite has an off day, she is the one that may prove hard to run down. Too talented to dismiss.
Suggested Bet: Estriella @ $3.00
Caulfield Race 7
#3 General Beau
General Beau is ready to win! Both runs this campaign have been ominous, and he looked luckless at his latest outing. The Brazen Beau entire is a winner third-up previously, and his record at the heath must be respected. From barrier three, he will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if the peloton gets a speeding ticket during the race’s early stages, I expect the enigmatic five-year-old to capitalise late. His overall winning record is the primary concern.
Rey Magnerio has been a revelation for the last six months. The Magnus gelding has been entered in every event except Married At First Sight since November, and he has performed admirably every time he has stepped out on the racecourse. The form around him has stood up time and again, and by the end of the autumn, I expect him to have won another feature with an extra thousand followers on his Instagram and TikTok accounts. The people’s horse just keeps on giving!
Suggested Bet: General Beau @ $7.00
Caulfield Race 8
#8 Bold Bastille
Bold Bastille looks the best bet on a tough and tricky VOBIS meeting at the heath. The Brazen Beau filly is a speed machine, and she is building an incredible career record. The talented two-year-old filly oozes class, and she meets easier opposition here. She is chasing four on the trot, and she can break the clock throughout. The longer trip is the slight query.
Linkvue was brilliant behind the favourite at his first career outing. The Overshare gelding looked to peel off the heels of Bold Bastille at the 300m, and for a stride or two, Toby Lake’s heart rate hit 320 beats per minute. From barrier twelve he can push forward and sit in the one out one back position, and if the short-priced commodity doesn’t run out a strong 1200m, I expect him to captalise late. Good luck to the new stable making a name for themselves. The obvious danger.
Suggested Bet: Bold Bastille @ $1.70
