The racing spotlight shifts to the ‘City of Churches’ this Saturday for the running of the Group 1 Australasian Oaks and Robert Sangster Stakes. With a host of Group and Listed events also featuring on the stunning card of racing, all roads lead to Morphettville. Around the grounds, Moonee Valley and Royal Randwick both host competitive and tricky autumn meetings.
Morphettville Race 5
#5 Gallant Son
Gallant Son is ready to win. The Written Tycoon colt has savaged the line at all outings this campaign, and I suspect the longer trip on Saturday will suit him to a tee. The inside draw is advantageous, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals. His camp is training winners for fun, and I expect him to run the race of his life on Saturday. Over the odds!
Tropicus is flying at present. The Too Darn Hot colt was a brilliant last-start winner at Caulfield, and his performance prior at Sandown was full of merit. His record at the trip must be respected, and a recent jump-out should give his key opponents sleepless nights leading into the Group 2 event. Too consistent to pot!
Suggested Bet: Gallant Son @ $9.00
Morphettville Race 6
#9 Zloties
Zloties was a dominant last-start winner at Bendigo. The smart and progressive filly won in a canter, and I suspect it may pay dividends to follow her everywhere she goes moving forward. The lightly raced five-year-old deserves her shot at this level, and I expect her to start race favourite if the early flood of money continues. The awkward barrier draw is the primary concern.
Jennilala was an explosive first-up winner for her new stable at Flemington. The Shalaa mare looks to have recaptured her mojo, and she is well placed to continue on her winning ways on Saturday. The mile is ideal at this stage of her campaign, and I suspect she will occupy the box-seat throughout jumping from a perfect inside draw. She will be thereabouts with even luck in transit.
Suggested Bet: Zloties @ $3.80
#1 Too Darn Lizzie
Too Darn Lizzie is knocking on the door. All runs this preparation have been great without winning, and I suspect her next victory is just around the corner. The Too Darn Hot filly is classy, and the form around her has stood up time and again. From barrier ten, she will roll forward and pilot the field, and if she can control the sectionals throughout, the fat lady may be singing as they run for the doctor. The longer trip is the slight query.
Movin Out is drawn to get the run of the race. She looks dangerous on the quick back-up, and her recent win at Mornington was first-class. The Staphanos filly is ready for the longer trip, and she should be rock-hard fit after a lengthy and fruitful campaign. The Chris Waller factor must be respected, and jockey Ben Melham is arguably in career-best form. It may pay dividends to watch for any further market support.
Suggested Bet: Too Darn Lizzie @ $5.00
Morphettville Race 8
#5 See You In Heaven
See You In Heaven is over the odds. The Divine Prophet mare is a first-up specialist, and she is drawn to perfection in barrier three. Her recent trials have been ominous, and she finds her pet distance fresh. Her form around the talented My Khalifa reads well for this event, and her cricket-score odds have been well supported since acceptances. Say may need some luck getting off the dulex as they swing for home.
Climbing Star produced an eye-catching run fresh behind the globetrotting Asfoora. The extra 100m will suit, and her second-up record must be respected. From the healthy draw, she will sit midfield with some cover, and if she is presented with her run at the right time, I expect her to figure in the finish. Her recent winning record is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: See You In Heaven @ $23.00
Moonee Valley Race 7
#7 Stage 'N' Screen
Stage ‘N’ Screen is racing well without winning. The drop back in trip could prove a training masterstroke, and I suspect the Ace High filly is ready to explode third-up from a spell. The inside draw will allow her to roll forward and take up a prominent position, and if she doesn’t spend her pennies before the pointy end of the contest, I expect her to prove too strong in the shadows. Take on trust!
El Tercero is winning for fun at present. The Super Seth gelding is climbing through the grades successfully, and he deserves his shot at this level. The progressive three-year-old possesses a massive turn-off foot, and I suspect there is a mighty engine under his bonnet. Barrier one will allow him to drift back and find his hooves, and if he doesn’t get too far out of his ground during the early stages of the contest, he can threaten late. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Stage ‘N’ Screen @ $5.00
Royal Randwick Race 8
#18 Cool Jakey
Cool Jakey is racing well without winning. The Pierro gelding has looked home and hosed at his latest two outings, and the big boy has managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on both occasions. The 52.5kg is a luxury, and the current track conditions play into his favour. If he can find the bunny uncontested from the horror draw, he will look the winner as they run for the judge. Overdue to breakthrough!
The classy Ducasse will start as the race favourite. The Trapeze Artist gelding has rubbed shoulders with some serious horses this campaign, and he looks extremely well placed in this company. He traditionally produces his best performances fourth-up from a spell, and the 2kg apprentice claim puts one hoof on the till. There has been a tsunami of money for the consistent four-year-old in most all-in markets, and with even luck in transit, I expect him to figure in the finish.
Suggested Bet: Cool Jakey @ $6.50
