There looks to be some quality racing across Australasia this weekend, highlighted by the Group l Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham and the Group ll Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. Down below are ten runners that should be backed and backed with confidence this Saturday:
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Ascot Race Six Number 1 Shining Knight:
This bloke is very consistent, more so given his racing pattern of getting back and running on. He produced an outstanding final 600m last start in the Scenic Blast to only go down narrowly to Cool Trade, who had all the favours on the speed. Gets a weight pull on his conqueror, and the last he was at 1200m was in in this race last year where he was desperately unlucky in a much tougher edition than the one he faces this weekend. Really confident he can get the job done.
Odds: $3.50
Gold Coast Race Two Number 1 Elisaro:
Not sure if the meeting will go ahead, but if so, then this mare looks the best on the card. She trialled brilliantly on the track before going to Ipswich first up where led from a wide gate and found plenty in the straight when challenged. Her lone soft track run was good, and is bred to swim being by Not A Single Doubt, one of the leading wet track sires in Australia. Only needs to repeat her first up performance and she’ll take care of these.
Odds: $2.60
Moonee Valley Race One Number 4 Royal Snitzel:
She’s the best bet in the meeting preview, and she could well be the best bet across Australasia this weekend. Outstanding first prep, finishing off with a narrow second to subsequent Group winner and Group l placegetter Sabatini in the Quezette. Loved her most recent jump out, maps well speed wise and is thrown in at the weights after the claim for boom kiwi apprentice Mick Dee. I’ll be surprised if she gets rolled.
Odds: $1.95
Morphettville Parks Race Three Number 3 Lake Jackson:
A David Hayes/Tom Dabernig colt who made his debut at Flemington in the Maribyrnong Trial when third to impressive winner Mihalic. Has since been spelled, and had a jump out recently at Sandown, where he wasn’t knocked about in running fifth, but did look much bigger and stronger. Already been well backed to win, gets barrier one and Linda Meech, who rode outstanding on the track last weekend.
Odds: $2.50
Newcastle Race Two Number 4 No More Emotions:
Well bred son of Onemorenomore who failed as an odds on pop last Friday at Gosford, but he did cop immense pressure in front and just got tired late. Trial prior to that was excellent, so I can forgive him for the Gosford defeat. He clearly has the speed to lead of the raced brigade, and probably the first starters well based on their trials. Looks a smart type and he won’t be a maiden for too much longer.
Odds: No Fixed Odds
Newcastle Race Seven Number 2 Lofty’s Menu:
Team Snowden runner who resumes here after a really good opening prep in the Winter, winning on debut impressively at Gosford before running a close second to Encostanati at Warwick Farm before being spelled. His trial at Rosehill on December 23 was outstanding behind Vivid, who has run well since. Frightened big time of Xatel Ekwa, but on the trial and race form, Lofty’s Menu should take a power of beating first up.
Odds: No Fixed Odds
Randwick Race Seven Number 6 She’s Clean:
This Chris Waller mare had been performing well in Melbourne without winning, but the float trip and returning to Sydney has done her the world of good it seems judging by how impressive she was in winning over this track/distance two weeks back, spanking her rivals without being fully extended by Blake Shinn, who sticks. Don’t worry that Shinn is riding Spurtonic, because 54.5kg is too low for him. Spurtonic carries 59kg and has gate 11, Heart Testa and That’s A Good Idea are queries at 1400m, Ninth Legion is first up and Scream Machine hasn’t won for a while. She’s Clean picks herself IMO.
Odds: $3.80
Yarra Valley Race Five Number 6 Alakris:
He probably will start the shortest out of this lot, but he looks the safest. His last two runs have both been in the city and he has been great on each occasion, starting off with a close third to Gingerboy at Flemington before working hard out wide and looking a shade unlucky when a narrow second to Winter Palace, who was backed to win. Drops to 70 benchmark at the provincials, good gate and looks well in at the weights. Should be winning.
Odds: $1.70
Trentham (NZ) Race Five Number 10 Vive La Difference:
Above average filly for Jason Bridgman who trialled brilliantly at Te Aroha. She was due to run on Railway Stakes Day at Ellerslie, but was scratched and instead ran at Tauranga, where she had absolutely no luck, largely due to an error in judgement from jockey Matthew Cameron, who does retain the ride. He is a gun over there, but he got it wrong on this filly last start. Rises in class significantly, but she looks very classy and I am very keen on her.
Odds: No Fixed Odds
Ashburton (NZ) Race Four Number 12 Treat Me:
Treat Me made her debut a couple of weeks back at Kumara off the back of an impressive trial win. She punched forward to lead and copped decent pressure in front before beating the other leaders off on the turn and fighting on very gamely when second to Gilt, a horse who looks well above average, and was ridden by David Walsh, who steers this filly on Saturday. Hoping she doesn’t have to do too much work from the gate, and if she can get over without much drama, she’ll be extremely hard to beat.
Odds: No Fixed Odds
