Group 1 racing continues this Saturday at Morphettville. The Goodwood is the feature event on the stunning program, and with Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes and The Cummings Stakes also front and centre, the South Australian autumn carnival has never looked so good! In Queensland, the Group 2 A.D. Hollindale Stakes is the main attraction at the Sunshine Coast, and with plenty of prizemoney and black-type up for grabs, a healthy local crowd is expected trackside at Caloundra!
Morphettville Race 6
#4 Grey River
Grey River is ready to win. All runs this campaign have been good without threatening, and I suspect she is poised to strike on Saturday. The Al Maher mare is due for a change of fortune, and I am confident she will receive a soft and dreamy run in transit from barrier three. The step out in the distance is ideal at this stage of her preparation, and she has been well-supported since the market opened. Hard to toss!
Laced Up Heels is flying at present. The Western Australia visitor rarely runs a poor race and looks well placed in this company. The drop back to 1200m could prove a training masterstroke, and the 56kg allocated weight is a luxury. From the wide gate, she will drift back and watch the race unfold, and if she doesn’t get too far out of her ground during the early stages of the races, she can loom to win late.
Suggested Bet: Grey River @ $6.00
Morphettville RACE 7
#11 Jimmy The Bear
Jimmy The Bear caught the eyes of punters first-up from a spell. His record second-up is outrageous, and I suspect the mile is his best trip. The Jimmy Creed gelding possesses a huge turn of foot, and he can reel off sizzling late sectionals. His quote has halved since the markets opened, and I expect him to jump as race favourite. Get on!
Pounding is too consistent to dismiss. The Exceed And Excel gelding is racing well at present, and I suspect he has been trained to the minute for this Group 3 event. The camp are training winners for fun, and the addition of the inform Blake Shinn, could prove beneficial. The carpark draw is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Jimmy The Bear @ $5.00
Morphettville Race 8
#16 Skybird
Skybird was a brilliant last-start winner. The enigmatic Exosphere filly put her rivals to the sword a long way from home, and she deserves her shot at Group 1 glory on Saturday. The 53kg feather on her back is advantageous, and Beau Mertens knows her better than herself. Gate five will provide plenty of options; if she can take the next step up in grade here, the world will be her oyster. Over the odds, and a very strong lightweight chance.
Oscar’s Fortune comes to the city of churches up and about. The Western Australian speedster is building an incredible career record, and she was braver than Mel Gibson in the prestigious Quokka. I expect her to pilot the field with a clean break from the middle gate, and if she is left to her own devices throughout, she may prove hard to run down.
Suggested Bet: Skybird @ $12.00
Sunshine Coast Race 6
#10 Abounding
Abounding produced an ominous first-up run. The Rich Enuff filly savaged the line late, and she sent a loud and clear message to her rivals. Her record at the distance is near perfect, and she traditionally does her best racing at this stage of her campaign. From the middle gate, she will sit in the running line with cover, and if she is presented with her run at the right time, I expect her to greet the judge before her opposition.
Corniche will start favourite after being thereabouts this preparation. The Fastnet Rock colt oozes class, and he usually gives you a good sight for your investment. He will appreciate the significant drop in class, and the current track conditions play into his favour. He finds his pet distance on Saturday, and if he can overcome a horror barrier draw early, I expect him to figure in the finish. He tends to find one or two better on the day.
Suggested Bet: Abounding @ $7.00
Sunshine Coast Race 7
#4 Kovalica
Kovalica hasn’t drawn a good gate since the first fleet arrived. The Ocean Park gelding is super honest, and despite the average cards that he is constantly dealt, I suspect he is edging towards his next and well-deserved victory. The 1800m is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and he looks dangerous after a little freshen-up and impressive barrier trial. He is due for a change of fortune, and I suspect he will be hitting the line faster than a pensioner entering Aldi on payday.
Just Folk was an impressive last-start winner at Hawkesbury. He handled the conditions better than his rivals and beat an impressive lineup of well-performed gallopers. I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his opposition, and with the addition of Mark Zahra, he looks complicated to toss. From barrier eight he will roll forward and take up his favourite role as leader, and if he is allowed to dictate the clock throughout, it could be curtains a long way from home.
Suggested Bet: Kovalica @ $4.00
Sunshine Coast Race 8
#1 Molly Bloom
Molly Bloom looks like a good thing on a tricky program. The Kiwi filly has the world at her feet, and she debuts in Australia with a massive boom surrounding her. Her record at the distance must be respected, and she is repeatedly proven fresh. The flood of early money indicates another bold performance, and her best effort here could be fences and panels above her rivals. Happy to push the chips in!
Waikato Girl is over the odds. The Savabeel filly is ultra-consistent and deserves her shot at this level. Her last-start win was dominant, and she looked dangerous jumping from a perfect inside gate. Her double-figure quote has been nibbled at, and if the favourite produces a flat first-up effort, I suspect she will be there to capitalise. A must for all broader multiples and exotics.
Suggested Bet: Molly Bloom @ $3.60
