After having the past 2 Saturday's off, The Silk is back with a vengeance. The racing is heating up down south but I'll be taking a look at the locals.
With more sunny weather on the menu we'll be racing on a Good 3 Eagle Farm track. The rail is out 3.5m and if recent trends are anything to go by, we should be looking for runners that race in a forward position.
Vote 1 - The Silk!
Race 1
We kick things off with one of those pesky 2200m races. Normally I can't stand these as they tend to be a case of pot luck. However today I'm putting Escoffier (1) on top. This guy has been a model of consistency in recent times. He hasn't been out of the placings in his last 5 starts. In those races the only horse here that has challenged him has been Spanish Halo. He meets that horse 2kg better off for going down by the barest of margins last time out. The beauty of this guy is that he'll take up the running and that will make him awfully hard to pass in the straight. Other hopes to Spanish Halo (2), Platinum Jack (4) and Excellent Al (5).
Race 2
Although only 7 horses are engaged here, this should be a competitive race with tactics playing a big part in deciding the victor. Lightfeet Lady and Amalfi Dreams will push forward from their wide draws making the speed decent. For that reason I'll be going with Pure Purrfection (1). She has drawn barrier 4 and I can see Wiggins settling her just behind the leaders in the box seat. She has been racing in good form recently. Her past 2 starts have been at this track and distance where she was finishing strongly to just go down. The form around Bribie and Divine City should hold up well here. Other hopes to Jacquetta (6), Amalfi Dreams (5) and Walk With Attitude (4).
Race 3
Ding ding ding! Alarms bells should be going off for Listen Son (2)! We see a similar field line up here that Listen Son put to the sword 2 weeks ago. Importantly in this small field, I can't see what's going to change speed wise. In that race Listen Son flew the gates and was never threatened, winning by 1.5 lengths. He drew the inside here but gets the outside in this race and I can't see him doing anything different. Larry Cassidy can shoot across to lead without fuss and then prove hard to catch in the straight. Other hopes to Funtantes (1), Tokamak (3) and Mishani Warrior (5).
Race 4
I'm not overly keen on this race but I will be supporting Hollywood Bound (4). This guy has done enough to suggest that the 1800m will suit nicely. His 3 runs since a freshen up have been excellent. He's won 2 of them and last start he finished 5th after having little luck. In that run he was held up from the 400m to the 100m before getting out late. Obviously the concern here is that Bevico Girl will get a break in the straight and won't be able to be caught. I don't think that will happen here as our boy has been very strong and the extra metres will help his cause. I also don't expect him to be a that far back. Maybe 4th the fence which will give him the chance to run over the top. Other hopes to Bevico Girl (3), Karanja (5) and Cosmonaut (1).
Race 5
There looks a tonne of speed engaged here. That concerns me as it places doubt over where they'll possie up. I'm going with Heza Bobby Dazzler (5) following his impressive debut run. In that race he raced 3 wide on the speed throughout and managed to pull away in the straight. He ran quick time and you would assume has further improvement from that hit out. Chris Munce takes the ride which should ensure the proper tactics are employed. Down in weight. Other hopes to Tisani Tomso (1), Prussian Heart (2) and Friendly Dragon (4).
Race 6
Again the speed should be solid over this short sprint. Easy Game (4) had her unbeaten streak broken last time out but wasn't disgraced finishing 2nd. She drops 5kg here and will appreciate the weight drop. She absolutely loves this distance and will get a glorious run from gate 2. Goltz will be able to put her into a beautiful position and I suspect will be right in the finish. Other hopes to Little Favours (6), Diamond Trail (10) and Whitlam (1).
Race 7
Hot diggity this is a tough race! Powerful Jet (6) has been racing really well of late and will get my support. He rises 3.5kg in weight which isn't ideal but I think he's good enough to overcome that. He's only been out of the placings 4 times in 14 races and does his best racing over this distance. I can see Cassidy getting the horse across from the awkward gate as he did last time out and settling in the first 3 or 4 horses. He's been strong at the finish and he'll need to be here. Other hopes to Big Decision (10), Little Long Horn (4) and Manicero (5).
Race 8
I'm taking 1 at decent odds in the get out stakes. General Shareef (7) resumed after a lengthy spell a few weeks ago and narrowly lost when condition gave out. He'll be fitter for that run and I can see him running well here. He's drawn barrier 3 and I can John Wilson's favourite jockey Ric McMahon taking advantage of that and pushing forward. The horse has traditionally raced back but that 1st up run showed that it was able to race handy. He's down in weight and I think in an open race he's worth an each way ticket at around the $15 mark. Was scratched midweek for this. Other hopes to Qfighter (12), Arado (3) and Ring Me Ruby (8).
Best Bets
Race 1 - Escoffier (1)
Race 3 - Listen Son (2)
I'm not overly keen on this race but I will be supporting Hollywood Bound (4). This guy has done enough to suggest that the 1800m will suit nicely. His 3 runs since a freshen up have been excellent. He's won 2 of them and last start he finished 5th after having little luck. In that run he was held up from the 400m to the 100m before getting out late. Obviously the concern here is that Bevico Girl will get a break in the straight and won't be able to be caught. I don't think that will happen here as our boy has been very strong and the extra metres will help his cause. I also don't expect him to be a that far back. Maybe 4th the fence which will give him the chance to run over the top. Other hopes to Bevico Girl (3), Karanja (5) and Cosmonaut (1).
Race 5
There looks a tonne of speed engaged here. That concerns me as it places doubt over where they'll possie up. I'm going with Heza Bobby Dazzler (5) following his impressive debut run. In that race he raced 3 wide on the speed throughout and managed to pull away in the straight. He ran quick time and you would assume has further improvement from that hit out. Chris Munce takes the ride which should ensure the proper tactics are employed. Down in weight. Other hopes to Tisani Tomso (1), Prussian Heart (2) and Friendly Dragon (4).
Race 6
Again the speed should be solid over this short sprint. Easy Game (4) had her unbeaten streak broken last time out but wasn't disgraced finishing 2nd. She drops 5kg here and will appreciate the weight drop. She absolutely loves this distance and will get a glorious run from gate 2. Goltz will be able to put her into a beautiful position and I suspect will be right in the finish. Other hopes to Little Favours (6), Diamond Trail (10) and Whitlam (1).
Race 7
Hot diggity this is a tough race! Powerful Jet (6) has been racing really well of late and will get my support. He rises 3.5kg in weight which isn't ideal but I think he's good enough to overcome that. He's only been out of the placings 4 times in 14 races and does his best racing over this distance. I can see Cassidy getting the horse across from the awkward gate as he did last time out and settling in the first 3 or 4 horses. He's been strong at the finish and he'll need to be here. Other hopes to Big Decision (10), Little Long Horn (4) and Manicero (5).
Race 8
I'm taking 1 at decent odds in the get out stakes. General Shareef (7) resumed after a lengthy spell a few weeks ago and narrowly lost when condition gave out. He'll be fitter for that run and I can see him running well here. He's drawn barrier 3 and I can John Wilson's favourite jockey Ric McMahon taking advantage of that and pushing forward. The horse has traditionally raced back but that 1st up run showed that it was able to race handy. He's down in weight and I think in an open race he's worth an each way ticket at around the $15 mark. Was scratched midweek for this. Other hopes to Qfighter (12), Arado (3) and Ring Me Ruby (8).
Best Bets
Race 1 - Escoffier (1)
Race 3 - Listen Son (2)
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