22/12/2018 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Morphettville, Christmas Handicap day

An eight race card has been assembled for Morphettville this Saturday where it is Christmas Handicap Day. The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is out six metres from the 1200m-Winning Post; Out three metres for the remainder.

Really keen to see 4 Done By Me (Bet Now: $3.30) on debut for Phillip Stokes. This daughter of Bon Hoffa trialled on the Parks track last Monday and was one of the standouts to the eye. Tracked up behind the speed, was held up for a few strides but once Caboche eased her to the outside, she went through her gears beautifully and won impressively, running good time relative to the morning. Think she’s pretty good.

1 Wiseman (Bet Now: $4.20) is a son of Zebedee having start two for the Hayes/Dabernig team. He debuted on the Parks track three weeks ago and I think even Stevie Wonder could see the horse was unlucky. Not sure he would have won but clearly should have finished much closer. Just had no luck getting clear air when Jamie Kah wanted to. Back on the bigger track, with race experience, he’s a definite threat.

One to watch out for is definitely 5 Li’l Kontra (Bet Now: $5.00). This filly is a daughter of Krupt for the Ryan Balfour stable that is having her first start. She trialled last Monday on the Parks track and ran in a slow trial, but I loved the way she responded when asked for an effort, running a narrow second to Eclair Breeze. At least we know she responds when placed under pressure, which is a good sign.

1 Kellstorm (Bet Now: $2.00) is a Darren Weir trained stayer who tends to save his best for Morphettville. Ran over the 2600m here a fortnight ago where he was a heavily backed favourite and looked home when he hit the front but the rank outsider Henry The Dolphin gathered him in and got the win on the peg. That leaves me with doubts about him and wanting to take likely short odds but concede he’s one of the hardest to beat.

3 Olympic Academy (Bet Now: $3.90) has done such a great job since coming to SA and joining Grant Young. On the quick back up after racing at Gawler (Metro) last Saturday where he tried very hard but Aagas just had a touch too much brilliance. I reckon 2500m at this level is a query but hard to knock the way he’s going and stable are flying with their stayers.

2 Shimrano (Bet Now: $7.00) is the watch horse. Very talented when right but it’s hard to get a read on what happened last time out in the race won by Henry The Dolphin. He was on speed, looked to travel well but once push came to shove, he was the first beat and dropped out to run a tailed off last. Have to give him the benefit of the doubt because the best version of him here would see him go close.

1 More Bricks (Bet Now: $4.20) looks one of the hardest to beat. Darren Weir trains this three year old, who resumed over 1000m at the Valley a couple of Friday nights back where he was back near the tail in the small field before Ethan Brown took off around them to be near the leaders on the turn but that effort just left him empty the last 100 behind Mischa. Back to this level, he appeals.

2 No Ties (Bet Now: $4.40) is a Mick Huxtable trained son of Unencumbered who was an impressive debut winner at Murray Bridge over 900m before racing at the same track/distance against the older horses and was far from disgraced when second to Wing Snipper. Little suspect at a strong 1050m at this level, but perhaps with a sit just off the speed, he’ll be effective.

4 Kemalpasa (Bet Now: $4.20) is a Team Jolly trained gelding who is four weeks between runs since racing over the 1250m on the Parks track where he was back off a slow pace and couldn’t really dash but was far from disgraced when fourth to Yankee Eyes, who controlled things beautifully from the front. Back to 1050m looks ideal and he’ll be strong late if they go hard. Not a long shot, but it’s a thin race.

Like 3 Brosnki (Bet Now: $3.40) here. Sue Jaensch trains this promising stayer, who stepped up to 2000m at the Bool last time where he was well supported and under a lovely ride from Jordan Childs, the gelding fended them off late when challenged to score a narrow but gritty win. Form out of that has been good and he seems to be really coming into his own at the longer trips.

2 Reset Me I’m Wild (Bet Now: $2.70) is a son of Reset who looks to be in career best form at the moment for the Richard Laming stable. Dominant win over 2200m two back at Geelong before stepping back to 2000m at Cranbourne where he was there to be beaten but found plenty late when challenged to win. Stable should always be respected when they come to SA.

1 Junior Burger (Bet Now: $5.00) is a Darren Weir trained stayer who was given a lovely steer from Lorensini to win two back at Ararat before going to Pakenham Cup Day where he was outclassed behind stablemate Mr Quickie after doing work to land on speed. This looks a significant drop in depth for this bloke and an improved showing certainly wouldn’t surprise.

4 Civil Disobedience (Bet Now: $2.10) looks a good thing to my eye. Thought his resumption at Pakenham was a beauty, sitting wide throughout but kept finding the line when fourth to the well backed Beauty Way. Up to the mile, fitter, severely back in depth, stable rarely miss when they come to Adelaide…gee he looks well placed and I’m keen to bet up on this four year old.

2 Hussybay (Bet Now: $2.40) looks one of only two dangers, if any. Ran over this track/distance a fortnight ago and it was a horror show if you were on. Ryan Hurdle couldn’t get a clear run on the hot pot while the eventual winner Balf’s Choice had all the momentum and that was the difference between winning and losing. Gate one again, but he’s hard fit and in career best form.

3 Royal Rumble (Bet Now: $4.40) would need to improve to turn the tables on Balf’s Choice but if he gets favours on speed, he could well do that. Sat outside in the speed in the race mentioned above and seemed to have his chance behind Balf’s Choice. Gets a bit of weight relief and Raquel Clark seems to get on well with the horse. He can win if things fall into place.

There’s been nothing wrong with the two runs from 3 Counter Spin (Bet Now: $4.20) this time in. Just ran out off puff first up behind Charossa before racing at this track/distance a fortnight ago and I thought he was quite game in defeat when fourth to France’s Boy. He is a third up winner and he does tend to save his best for the course proper. He’ll do me each way.

6 Pale Ale (Bet Now: $3.50) is a Danielle Wilson trained gelding who is two weeks between runs since contesting the France’s Boy race mentioned above. He had good specking at odds but unfortunately for those that were on, he was part of a speed battle and couldn’t sustain it when third. Should get a softer time of it on speed this time around and definitely appeals.

4 Cool Maverick (Bet Now: $14.00) could be a sneaky blow out, especially if there is any hint of bias towards those on speed/rail. He ran on the Parks track last time and was okay without setting the world on fire behind the in form Flying Krupt. Has a good record here and he usually puts 110% in. He goes in exotics. Needs things to go his way but could surprise.

The best horse in this race is clearly 1 Takedown (Bet Now: $7.00) and if he’s right, he’ll win. He’s just too good for this lot. Formerly with Gary Moore, he’s now with Darren Weir. Hasn’t produced anything near his best for a while, so he’s been sent to Weir and I thought his Terang jumpout when ridden off the speed was very good. Taking the gamble that Weir has weaved his magic again.

11 Zalmona (Bet Now: $3.90) faces his toughest test to date but deserves a crack after a brilliant win over the 1050m here two weeks ago where he sprouted wings from last and rounded them up with a fair bit of ease to win most impressively. He seems such a dynamic horse fresh, which is the negative here, but the big tick for him is that he loves the 1200m. Definite threat. Again, not a long shot, but I can’t see the winner outside this trio.

3 Go The Journey (Bet Now: $10.90) is an absolute beauty for the Jolly camp who gives his all on speed and rarely runs a bad race. Hasn’t raced since July 28 when running third to the well performed Run Gypsy Run. No trials leading in, but can sprint well fresh, looks as if he’ll lead and give a great sight in front. Last 100m at this level may be the sticking point.

6 Quiddick…(Bet Now: $2.50) how far should she have won by last start? That last start was three weeks ago on the Parks track over 1000m and she should have bolted in, and would have landed some decent bets. She just had no luck getting clear when bolting in a race won by Musical Query. Give her clear air this time and she should take a power of beating.

3 Musical Query (Bet Now: $3.50) did win that race mentioned above and it was down to her getting clear air. In saying that, she was three wide on speed so there has to be a bit of credit to her but Quiddick should have won. Tricky draw again, but she’s got the runs on the board, Kah sticks and outside Quiddick, this race does look a tad thin on the depth front.

1 Classy Jack (Bet Now: $8.50) is a John Hickmott trained veteran who has been quite good recently. Was solid enough behind Musical Query on the Parks before backing up 24 hours later at Murray Bridge over 900m and running a close up third to Wing Snipper. He’ll be on speed giving his all, but clearly the last 100-150 will be the test for him with the closers.

BEST BET: Race Eight Number 6 Quiddick

NEXT BEST: Race Five Number 4 Civil Disobedience

LONG SHOT: Race Seven Number 1 Takedown

Quaddie Tips (Races Five Through To Eight):

Leg One: 4

Leg Two: 3, 4, 6, 7

Leg Three: 1, 2, 3, 5, 11

Leg Four: 6

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