Group 1 racing continues this Saturday at Morphettville. The South Australian Derby is the feature event on the monster program, and with a host of Group and Listed events also front and centre, all roads lead to the city of churches. The Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup is the main attraction in Sydney town, and with plenty of prizemoney and black-type up for grabs, a huge local crowd is expected trackside!
Morphettville Race 6
#10 Spirit Of Camelot
Spirit Of Camelot was luckless at her latest outing. The Camelot filly was inconvenienced at a crucial stage, and it was a hard watch for her supporters. The mile is ideal at this stage of her preparation, and she looks dangerous jumping from barrier four. The addition of Jamie Fast Kah could prove the winning difference, and she has been heavily specked since markets opened. Hard to toss.
Poifect will start favourite after an impressive last-start victory at Flemington. The lightly-raced Pierro filly is ready for the longer trip, and I am confident she has gone to a new level this preparation. The enigmatic three-year-old will drift back from the carpark draw, and if she doesn’t get too far out of her ground during the middle stages of her race, she can figure in the finish.
Suggested Bet: Spirit Of Camelot @ $2.80
Morphettville RACE 7
#2 The Map
The Map looks the best bet on a tricky program. The Alpine Eagle mare is flying at present, and she looks well placed, dropping back sharply in class. Her last start performance in the Group 1 Adelaide Cup was mouthwatering, and she turned heads recently at the trials. Her record at the distance must be respected, and she should save every inch of ground from the perfect inside draw. Happy to push the chips in here!
First Immortal is coming off a forgive run at Mornington. The tight turning track never suited the Churchill gelding, and he was off the bit a long way from home. The talented four-year-old traditionally runs well in the city of churches, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. If he can recapture his best form, I expect him to figure in the finish. Take on trust.
Suggested Bet: The Map @ $2.50
Morphettville Race 8
#7 Warmonger
Warmonger has been running exceptionally well without winning. The War Decree gelding will appreciate the step out to 2500m, and I suspect he has been trained to explode in the Group 1 feature on Saturday. Damian Lane will attract further market support, and he currently represents fantastic each way value. From the horror barrier draw, he will look to sit midfield with cover, and if he is presented with his run at the right time, I expect him to gobble up his rivals late.
Coco Sun savaged the line last weekend in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks. The longer trip here is advantageous; she looks dangerous on the quick backup. She strips fitter after her recent outing, and I suspect the Derby has been the main autumn target all along. It may pay dividends to watch for any significant market support.
Suggested Bet: Warmonger @ $6.00
HAWKESBURY Race 6
#6 Miss Hellfire
Miss Hellfire is over the odds. The Hellbent mare was luckless at her latest outing, and she has been crying out for the longer trip all campaign. From the perfect inside barrier, she can camp behind the leader’s back, and if she sees daylight before the final furlong, I expect her to figure in the finish. The 56kg allocated weight is a luxury; she looks well-placed in this company. She doesn’t know how to run a bad race!
Shadows Of Love will start favourite after an impressive campaign to date. The Dissident mare recorded back-to-back wins at the start of the campaign, and she was game in defeat at her latest. From the middle gate, she will roll forward and pilot the field; if she is left to her own devices, she may prove hard to run down. I am unsure she can produce another peak performance for the preparation.
Suggested Bet: Miss Hellfire @ $10.00
HAWKESBURY Race 7
#1 Schwarz
Schwarz was good fresh before racing ungenerously second-up. The Zoustar colt can bounce back here from an inside draw, and I suspect the step out to 1400m is ideal third-up from a spell. James McDonald already has a winning association with the big boy, and I expect his quote to shorten significantly before the barriers open. A predicated heavy track is the primary concern.
Razors is ultra-consistent. The Sidestep gelding rarely finishes outside the quinella, and he looks ominous jumping from an inside draw. His record at the distance must be respected, and he looks well placed in this company. His overall winning record is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Schwarz @ $3.50
HAWKESBURY Race 8
#4 Nugget
Nugget produced an eye-catching run in the Doncaster. He loves the mile, and his best performance could be fences and panels better than his rivals. He has had a little freshen-up and barrier trial since his outing during the Championships. If the predicated rain lobs before the barriers open, I suspect his healthy quote will diminish.
Detonator Jack is ready to peak and win. Both runs this preparation have been good without winning, and I suspect he will receive the run of the race on Saturday. His record third-up from a spell must be respected, and I expect him to be trained to the minute for this event. A soft or heavy track would play in his favour, and if the surface becomes bottomless, I suspect he will start a short-priced favourite. The allocated weight is his biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Nugget @ $5.00
