2011 Sportingbet Classic preview, tips and selections

Adam Page gives us his runner by runner preview for Saturday’s Sportingbet Classic at Morphetville racecourse. View his tips and selections.

Form Guide

1. Avenue

She is the leader in this race and will run along in front. Sat outside the leader and found plenty to win the Irwin last start. She is a very handy mare and although she has won five of seven over 1200m and is group one placed, I just doubt if she can run a strong 1200m here.

2. Beaded

Wonderful mare from the Snowden yard who ran an oustanding race in the Newmarket when third to Black Caviar. Her record is probably the third best in Australia behind Black Caviar and More Joyous but she is yet to win a group one. That’ll change after this race.

3. Response

Another talented mare who ran a strong race also in the Newmarket when finishing fourth after being run off her legs. She should get a handy run from the barrier and at her best, she is right in this race.

4. Dubleanny

Showed her class first up with a dazzling turn of foot to win impressively. She’ll get the plum run from barrier two and when she is cuddled up for the straight, boy she has a turn of foot. She needs a dead track at worst to show that but even if it is worse than dead she can still fire.

5. Impressive Eagle

Ran a solid race behind Aloha when beaten three lengths. That form has been franked with Aloha winning the Coolmore Classic last Saturday. Not sure if she is up to these but from barrier one she can be in the first four.

6. Varenna Miss

Was a bit unlucky in the Oakleigh plate. She got dragged back and only got going the last furlong when the race was over. She had a big wrap on her and the gloss has partially gone from her but she is very talented and is a big threat.

7. I’m A Hussy

Got run down last start at Hobart by Lady Lynette after leading. She doesn’t have the ability or class to win, but give her a bog track and she is an exotic chance.

8. Valentine Miss

Handy type from the Kavanagh yard who ran second to Dubleanny last start at Flemington. Can’t see her featuring here and she needs a dry track which she won’t get here.

9. Miss Octopussy

Consistent mare from the Tommy Hughes stable resuming. Just failed to get Grand Duels in the Christmas Stakes then weakened late in the Standish behind Ahdashim. Looked sharp in a recent barrier trial but for her to win a group one first up I think is too big of a challenge.

10. Happy Angel

Speedy mare who battles away well in her races but her record at 1200m is poor and she’ll struggle here.

11. Crystal Lily

Golden Slipper winner who ran along in front but was no match for Black Caviar in the Newmarket. She is also accepted for the William Reid on Friday night where she’ll have to take on the great mare again. If she runs here, she is a definite winning hope.

12. Panipique

She let down beautifully to record a top win at Listed level at Flemington last start. She has also accepted for the William Reid but her best chance of running forward appears to be here.

13. Dance Of The Ocean

Not going well enough to threaten these.

Selections (Not in order): 2 Beaded, 3 Respone, 4 Dubleanny, 6 Varenna Miss

Written by Adam Page