Group 1 racing is front and centre in Adelaide this Saturday with the running of South Australian Derby. In old Sydney town, Hawkesbury hosts their traditional stand-alone cup meeting.
Morphettville Race 6
#2 Sea What I See
Sea What I See looks the best bet on a tricky and competitive program. The flashy grey mare hasn’t missed a top-four finish since the moon landing, and she has been racing incredibly well in some serious events. The step out in trip suits, and I suspect this is her major target for her autumn campaign. The inside draw puts one hoof on the till, and the key booking of Craig Williams must be respected. Hard to toss!
Sir Kingsford was an impressive last-start winner. The Sir Prancealot gelding led from barrier to post, and he was tough and resilient in the shadows late. He will pilot the field on Saturday with a clean break from the barriers, and the longer trip suits to a tee. The big boy will be front and centre as they cut the ribbons!
Suggested Bet: Sea What I See @ $1.90
Morphettville Race 7
#7 Gold Coast Belle
Gold Coast Belle is flying. The So You Think filly is winning for fun at present, and she was extremely unlucky in her only defeat for the current campaign. The talented three-year-old meets easier opposition, and her versatility alone puts her in the finish. Hard to dismiss her exposed form, and with even luck in transit, I expect her to prove too strong inside the final proceedings.
Rohesia is is a marvel. The Hanseatic Filly has turned the heads of punters this campaign, and her last start victory puts her into all winning conversations for this lofty event. The 1600m is advantageous, and her opening quote has folded faster than Superman on laundry day. Acid test!
Suggested Bet: Gold Coast Belle @ $3.00
#12 Wigmore
Wigmore is over the odds. The Sweynesse gelding was good late in his Australian debut, and he savaged the line despite running against a weak tempo throughout. The Stokes galloper recorded sizzling late sectionals, and he will stay longer than your mother-in-law. His performance in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby was enough for OTI to bring him across the ditch, and I suspect his camp are dreaming about the first Tuesday in November. Watch for him late!
Accidental Bid is the race favourite despite relying on scratchings to gain a start! The first emergency has upside galore, and he is chasing a hatrick of victories. There have been some significant statements from the camp about his ability, and he looks a Group 1 winner in waiting. Too classy to ignore.
Morphettville Race 9
#11 Nicish
Nicish is racing better than it suggests in the bible. The Nicconi mare has been rubbing shoulders with some quality gallopers, and I suspect her best performance here could prove fences and panels better than her key rivals. The key booking of Jamie Melham is significant, and the camp are flying at present. The middle gate will allow her to receive a perfect cart into the race, and if she can find clear air as heads turn for home, I expect her to greet the judge and jury before her opponents. She needs a change of luck!
Metrical can run a drum at a double figure quote. The Time Test gelding was good without scoring fresh, and he finds a winnable assignment on Saturday. His form second-up must be respected, and he strips fitter as a result of recent racing. His opening quote has been more than nibbled at, and I suspect the six-furlongs is his preferred journey. Ready to win!
Suggested Bet: Nicish @ $5.00
Hawkesbury Race 6
#6 Regal Award
Regal Award is ready to peak. Both runs this campaign have been full of merit, and I suspect the Ole Kirk gelding has been trained to the minute for his third-up assignment. The space in between outings suit, and a recent jump-out to keep his legs ticking over looked ominous. The tsunami of money tells a story, and another bold showing is expected. Yes please!
Burma Star is over the odds. Both runs this campaign have been full of merit, and his Victorian form must be respected. The step out in trip is ideal at this stage of his preparation, and a middle gate will provide the inform Tyler Schiller a menagerie of options in the run. The classy colt has a terrific turn of foot, and I expect him to be savaging the line late. He tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Suggested Bet: Regal Award @ $4.00
Hawkesbury Race 9
#1 Estadio Mestalla
Estadio Mestalla returns to racing after a well-deserved break in the paddock. The veteran galloper produced a stunning spring campaign that culminated in a second placing in the $2,000,000 Group 1 Ingham behind the talented galloper Yorkshire. I suspect a tilt at the Group 1 Stradbroke is on the agenda, and he is simply too classy and consistent to dismiss. The carpark draw and grandstand weight are the biggest deterrents for Saturday’s event.
Zealously will burn the turf. The Harry Angel gelding is a 1100m specialist, and I suspect the tight-turning Hawkesbury circuit will suit his racing pattern and style. The current track conditions suit, and Tom Sherry has a good association with the enigmatic four-year-old. Jumping from a different postcode is his biggest obstacle.
Suggested Bet: Estadio Mestalla @ $21.00
