Well last week's Involvement Special resulted in an 18% return. We found 16 winners and 11 placings from 41 races looked at. 6 of the 10 best bets saluted. The winners being:
Doomben: Stroak $1.80, The White Hope $1.70 and Love Rocks $1.60
Randwick: Sinjoren $2.80, Calming Influence $3.30, Solemn $2.90 and Messene $3.10
Caulfield: Lord Of The Sky $1.40, Lord Durante $3.40, Marden $4.90 and Winta Chiller $2.70
Morphettville: Lucky Symbol $2.00
Ascot: Newton Prince $4.10, Petrol Power $2.80, Knightlike $5.90 and Rose Of Choice $3.90
Overall I'd say the commitment to involvement paid off. I won't be getting as involved this week with just Doomben, Flemington and Kensington being looked at.
Doomben
Race 1
The track is currently rated a dead 4 Thursday afternoon. There's a chance of showers over the next few days but I don't think that will change the racing surface. If we don't get any precipitation then we may even get an improvement. To get The Silk in a great mood to start the day, we have the obligatory 2000m+ race. This is racing's version of pass the parcel. So who's going to get the present when the music stops this week? Your guess is as good as mine! I'll have a small involvement bet on Trajet (4). He's always around the mark in these races and gets the gun run to feature again. This is shown by the fact he's been in the placings or won 5 times from 7. Won narrowly over this trip at Eagle Farm last start and won here over 2200m 3 starts ago. In between was a forgettable Melbourne run. Other hopes to Poste Restante (1), Mukaddamah Son (3) and Gold Cape (7).
***With the scratching of Gold Cape I'll add Mr Light Blue (5) to the other hopes***
Race 2
Venture On (1) has run 2nd his past 3 starts with a combined margin of roughly a length. His foot has been on the till but can he open it? I'm thinking today's the day. He's drawn to get an excellent run. Last start Top Rada grabbed him in the last few strides and he meets that horse 1.5kg better off here. It could be said that Top Rada was assisted by the heavy track, a surface it thrives in. Other hopes to Top Rada (2), Flying Jet (3) and All Taken (6).
Race 3
The Phelan Ready Stakes for the 2 year old boys sees the horses that have raced drawn wide and the debutantes drawn in close. Vienna Royale (1) brained the opposition by 5.5 lengths in it's only race back in October. He was put out to spell after that and resumes here. He looked an exciting and very quick lad and unless there's something special in the unraced brigade I can't see him getting beaten. He's drawn the outside gate but his superior toe should see him get across easily. Other hopes to Eljetem (2), Lacarda Rain (11) and Speedshow (9).
Race 4
The Calaway Gal Stakes is for the 2 year old girls and it looks a much better race than the previous race for the boys. It will definitely provide a few for us to follow. The leading candidate has to be the Danny Bougoure trained Oakleigh Girl (1). She made her debut and only run in a Group 3 up the straight at Flemington just over a month ago. She was emphatic that day winning by 1.3 lengths. She's drawn barrier 3 and will get a glorious run for Micky Cahill. Other hopes to Totally Sure (2), Eltist (7) and Ruby Soho (3).
Race 5
Jacquetta (7) is a model of consistency as shown by the fact she's only been out of the placings 4 times in 15 starts. She resumed 2 weeks ago and was narrowly beaten by Lady Echelon over 1200m. She meets that horse much better at the weights. She showed incredible toughness to race 3 and 5 lengths wide and still produce a strong finish. Two starts back she narrowly went down to Pickabee who is a top horse over 1300m so the trip shouldn't worry her. She'll be able to box seat with the lack of pace in this race and will prove hard to catch in the straight. Other hopes to Casino Card (10), Anna Lizzie (9) and Lady Echelon (1).
Race 6
The majority of the leading contenders here come out of the Recognition Stakes 2 weeks ago. With no Absalom today, I'm sticking with my pick in the Recognition, Fillydelphia (1). She had the measure of them that day and nothing really changes at the weights so I can't see them turning the tables. She races well at the track and particulary so at the distance. Her past 2 races have been excellent. Other hopes to Black Cash (4), Someday (2) and Essington (10). (Can somebody give me a price on Essington to run 4th? He's finished 4th his past 6!)
Race 7
Into The Red (6) drew poorly when resuming 2 weeks ago. On that occasion he raced 3 and 4 wide before making a run 6 wide on the turn. He narrowly lost to Rudy when he understandably ran out of gas late. I think with increased fitness and a charmed barrier draw in 3, this Kelso Wood colt will be hard to beat. Other hopes to Rudy (4), Choose A Saga (5) and Olympic Anthem (12).
Race 8
How Stradon is a top horse has been talked about incessantly. I've been sucked in before and yes it has run some good races. However the fact remains, it has won once in 13 starts. I'm going with the more consistent and arguably more talented Regular (3). He resumes here on the back of a nice trial. He's drawn magically in barrier 2 which will give apprentice Janette Johnson (claims 3kg) an easy time of it in getting the horse into a super position. He'll be able to race on the pace and then put in a strong finish. Other hopes to Stradon (14), Merryanna (12) and After Baron (9).
Best Bets Doomben
All up : Race 2 - Venture On (1)
Race 3 - Vienna Royale (1)
Race 4 - Oakleigh Girl (1)
Race 6 - Fillydelphia (1)
Go The 1's!
Flemington
Race 1 - Pass. Too many unknowns
Race 2 - Kiss Me Ketut (6)
Race 3 - Flamberge (4)
Race 4 - The Peak (4)
Race 5 - Freshwater Storm (4)
Race 6 - Morant (6)
Race 7 - Electric Fusion (7)
Race 8 - Prince Of Penzance (1)
Best Bet Flemington
Race 3 - Flamberge (4)
Kensington
Race 1 - The Alfonso (5)
Race 2 - Super Willie (5)
Race 3 - Koroibete (8)
Race 4 - Secessio (4)
Race 5 - Dark Brown Sugar (5)
Race 6 - Taxmeifyoucan (12)
Race 7 - Sultry Assassin (10)
Race 8 - Heart Testa (7)
Best Bet Kensington
Race 8 - Heart Testa (7)
