What a nightmare last Saturday was. Cleaned up in Brisbane with all the favourites saluting and the 2 best bets for Ascot both got up. However there was little else to be joyous about and I will be putting that well behind me. Hopefully there's some better results this Saturday! Fingers crossed!
Sandown
Race 1 - A 5 horse 2 year old race where none of the horses have raced before. Pass.
Race 2 - I'll be giving this race a miss with only 6 horses engaged.
Race 3 - Yet another small field but I'll have a small wager on She's Gifted. The horse has never been out of a place in it's 7 starts. Symons takes the ride as he has in 5 of those races. Goes well over the distance and can handle any going. Hardest to beat is Always Discreet.
Race 4 - This is a tricky race with the majority of the field having a chance. I've gone with Crafty Cruiser. One thing is certain with this guy and that's he'll be running out the 2400m. Has yet to win over the distance but has placed in 3 of his 4 starts at it. Other hopes to Shezaten, Musical Hit and Sea Galleon.
Race 5 - Again we are confronted with a race of many chances. I have gone with Abitofado. The horse has a good record at the track and distance. It can handle all going but would be advantaged if the track worsened. 3kg off for the apprentice will help. Other hopes to Full Peal, Pacino and Snitza.
Race 6 - I like the look of Freereturn here. Will be able to get across and in just behind the speed. Has a good record over the distance and can handle any going. Has been stepping up through the grades nicely. Other hopes to Dash Of Viz, Under The Hat and Wealthy Lad.
Race 7 - Based on a sheer class factor, Miss Octopussy should be hard to beat. However I would not be getting carried away at the price on offer. Yes it has a good record at the distance and on a good to dead track. However it still has to lump 57kg after the claim and comes from a wide gate. Her 3rd to Ortensia 2 starts back should hold her in good stead. Other hopes to Princess Maggie, Happy Joker and Lady Pania.
Race 8 - Snow Cover will get well back but I believe there will be adequate speed for this fellow to come home with a charge. He is in top form with close 3rds to Under The Eiffel and Its Prince in it's past 2 starts. Other hopes to Scaredymac, Population and Cadenzia.
Canterbury
Race 1 - 2 year old race on a heavy track. No thanks.
Race 2 - I won't be getting carried away with this race as there looks to be many genuine chances. I will be going with Charm's Honour. She has proven herself in wet conditions and more importantly being able to carry a fair weight while doing it. She should get a nice handy run. Her 0.4 length 2nd to Streama on heavy looks good for this. Other hopes to Cindarockinrella, Whitlam and Upbeat.
Race 3 - It's hard to go past Atomic Force. This fellow is an absolute beast in the wet, winning 3 of his 6 go's on heavy. Has the in form apprentice Schofield on top taking 3kg off. Tuned up for this with a trial win earlier in the week. Hardest to beat is Tiger Tees.
Race 4 - I'm a little concerned about the gate and the way Lil And Grace races but I'm going to take a chance on her. She loves the track and distance, goes well in the wet and most importantly will race with 50.5kg thanks to Schofield's claim. Her last start win was hard to ignore where she came from 8 lengths off the lead on the turn. Other hopes to Savannah's Choice, General's Sniper and Lycra Lass.
Race 3 - It's hard to go past Atomic Force. This fellow is an absolute beast in the wet, winning 3 of his 6 go's on heavy. Has the in form apprentice Schofield on top taking 3kg off. Tuned up for this with a trial win earlier in the week. Hardest to beat is Tiger Tees.
Race 4 - I'm a little concerned about the gate and the way Lil And Grace races but I'm going to take a chance on her. She loves the track and distance, goes well in the wet and most importantly will race with 50.5kg thanks to Schofield's claim. Her last start win was hard to ignore where she came from 8 lengths off the lead on the turn. Other hopes to Savannah's Choice, General's Sniper and Lycra Lass.
***With the scratching of Lycra Lass, I'll add Fill The Page to the other hopes***
Race 5 - Honourable Aussie has been racing in nice touch lately, winning his last 2 over this distance range. Has a couple of wins on heavy. Should lead easily and will prove hard to run down with Bowman on board. Other hopes to Palasport, Hard Liquor and Letchworth.
Race 6 - I'm quite wary of this race. Looks to be an open affair. I'm going with Strike One. Loves the track and distance and goes well in the wet. Won 1st up over this distance last start. Other hopes to Yulalona, Levi's Choice and Legsman.
***With the scratching of Legsman, I'll promote Scottish Border to the hopes***
Race 7 - Shamus looks right in this. It has won both starts on rain affected tracks and has a good record at the track and distance. Should be able to camp up on the speed and get a really nice run. Other hopes to Liechtenstein, Barsinola and Ravna Gora.
***With the scratching of Barsinola, I'll promote Lining to the other hopes***
Race 8 - Going with Rampart in the last. After the apprentice's claim, this bloke gets in with 50.5 kg. Has a good record at the track and distance and appears to handle heavy going well. If Shamus runs well in the previous then my confidence levels will be raised with this guy. Other hopes to O'Crikey, Stratana and Secession.
***With the scratching of Stratana, I'll promote We Betcha to the hopes***
Eagle Farm
Race 1 - 2 year olds, limited form, questionable surface. Pass.
Race 2 - I'll stick with Double Image. He goes well on all going and has been flying lately. Think he can sit just off Tycoon Tattoo and unleash hot fury in the straight. Other hopes to Inventory, Steel Zip and Geared Up.
Race 3 - I'm not overly keen on this race. There looks to be quite a few chances. I'll have a small wager on Eureka Jack. I'm putting a lot of faith into the fact that he ran on well in his last 2 starts which suggests the 2100m should suit. If there happens to be a downpour tomorrow then that would increase his chances. Other hopes to Three Red Roses, Red God and Clangor.
Race 4 - A number of these that I like have drawn wide. Would have given them some serious consideration if they had drawn closer. I really like the look of Pretty Pins. Looks to be able to handle any going and has drawn the 2 gate. It's last start 3rd to Il Cardinale should be terrific form for this. The claimer on board is an added bonus. Other hopes to Dorchester, Hidden Jewel and Playtime.
Race 5 - I'll go with Fire Up Fifi in this. She hasn't raced this distance before but going by the way she's been finishing off, I would think that it won't be a problem. Will have no dramas with a damp track. Reckon she's up to her eyeballs in this. Other hopes to Geblitzt, Pegunny Cat and Kar Ma Te.
Race 6 - I'll have to go with Mr Consistency, Il Cardinale. This bloke hasn't put a bad run in this campaign. Has a good record over the distance and can handle any going. Should get a nice run in transit. Other hopes to From London, Mr Light Blue and Grey Assignment.
Race 7 - This should be a great race to watch but tricky to bet on. There's a handful of these that have winning chances but given the prospect of a rain affected track, I have gone with Ready To Rip. I suspect there will be a bit of speed on and from the gate he should get back and fingers crossed will be coming over the top. Has a good record at the track and distance. Other hopes to Essington, Excellantes and Spirit Of Boom.
Race 8 - Pretty keen on Skating On Ice in the last. There's a lot to like about her. Loves the distance, handles all going and should get a lovely run. Should be cherry ripe for this. Other hopes to Sway To Go, Imeldamay and Aquatorial.
Best Bets
Sandown - Race 6 Number 10 Freereturn
Race 8 Number 8 Snow Cover
Canterbury - Race 3 Number 1 Atomic Force
Race 7 Number 4 Shamus
Eagle Farm - Race 4 Number 3 Pretty Pins
Race 8 Number 7 Skating On Ice
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