We might be into the depths of a cold and bleak winter, but there’s still some very good racing around the country on Saturday, a pointer to good programming by the authorities and the prize money on offer in the eastern seaboard states.
The feature meeting is the Sunshine Coast Guineas program in Queensland, which boats a handful of blacktype races. The main event, famously remembered as the race Winx won in 2014 to commence her winning streak of 25 in a row, appears to be a race in two.
Looking back, it’s hard to imagine how she started $2.60 that day. But if you can recall, she looked gone at the 400m mark when she was last on the bend. Even with a furlong to go she was still about five lengths off them. But as they slowed, she quickened and ended up going on to win by almost two lengths.
Her trainer, Chris Waller, has the favourite in Saturday’s race, but I like his main opponent. Keep reading for a preview of that race and others.
Sunshine Coast (Queensland)
Rail true for the entire course. Rated Heavy 8 at the time of writing. Clear weather forecast Friday and Saturday.
Race 7 – 3.57pm XXXX Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m)
There are only two horses deep in the market with CrownBet and one of them should be winning. The Chris Waller-trained Seaway is favourite and had some early support in markets. He’s finished second on three occasions this prep and although he looks right in this race, I couldn’t back him at that quote.
I think the horse with the most upside is The Bostonian. The New Zealand trainer is well bred out of Group 1 winner Jimmy Choux and should like the track conditions. He has been brilliant both runs this prep in Queensland and has handled all track conditions.
This would have been a target race for him and providing Michael Cahill gives him every opportunity, I think he’ll be too good. If you want some value for exotics, consider Bold Assasin. He might not have the class for this race, but doesn’t mind the slop and is a consistent type.
Suggested bet: The Bostonian to win.
Race 8 – 4.32pm Scott McMahon Electrical Caloundra Cup (2400m)
Very competitive race and looks a carbon copy of the Ipswich Cup, with the bulk of those runners backing up here. The winner of that race, The Tradesman, will likely start favourite for the in-form Darren Weir.
I think he’s a chance, but I’m leaning towards another New Zealander in Megablast. The grey gelding was very good behind Eggtart last time and has been given some time between runs. So he might not be as race fit as the others on Saturday, but he might have the freshness in his legs to outsprint them.
The heavy track won’t concern him at all and he has the services of Damien Browne, which should hold him in good stead. Value punters might look to Smart As You Think for exotics, but he was plain last time out.
(Sarah Ebbett/Racing Photos)
Suggested bet: Megablast to win.
Rosehill (NSW)
Rail out 3m for the entire course. Rated Slow 7 at the time of writing. Clear weather forecast Friday and Saturday.
Race 6 – 2.25pm Winter Cup (2400m)
A very strange race with eight runners and seven of them carrying 53.5kg or less. That’s because topweight Destiny’s Kiss has been lumped with 61kg. I can’t see him winning with that weight, but the veteran galloper is a consistent type with 18 wins and 18 placings in his lengthy career.
I personally can’t go past the favourite Sayed, who looks better than these. When Sam Weatherley jumps on board he’ll feel like he’s carrying nothing. The last time he had less than 53.5kg was in the Wyong Cup last year when, coincidentally, he was beaten by Destiny’s Kiss. In his two runs back he’s looked to work into full fitness and I think Chris Waller will have him primed to win.
Stablemate Araaja could be a danger, but Sayed should give you a big sight for your money.
Suggested bet: Sayed to win.
Race 7 – 3.05pm Civic Stakes (1350m)
Tricky race with a capacity field of 14 to line up. Dare I say it, but I’m going side with another Waller horse here. Invinzabeel has been super in his two runs back from a spell and gets the services of Tye Angland on Saturday.
It takes a bit of work for Angland to ride around the 55kg mark and that could be a sign he wants to get this win in what is a good Listed race worth $150,000. There are plenty of dangers, starting with topweight Jungle Edge, who was probably beaten by his jockey last time out.
A more positive ride would have seen him in the winners’ circle. Favourite flow will be thereabouts, but is disadvantaged at the weights in comparison to Invinzabell. The best of the roughies could be Sir Bacchus, who likes to win at odds.
Suggested bet: Invinzabell each-way.
Caulfield (VIC)
Rail out 7m for the entire course. Rated Good 4 at the time of writing. Clear forecast Friday and scattered showers Saturday.
Race 8 – 4.05pm Keno Superplay Handicap (1400m)
It looks a very tough day at Caulfield for punters, so I’m only going to preview one race. I will be keeping an eye on the third race as the English import Al Galayel has his second start in Australia after a nice win on debut at Sandown.
But he’s too short in the market to be betting on. In this penultimate race at The Heath I’m very keen on the Godolphin runner Malaise. He’s drawn a good barrier for Craig Williams, who will likely be riding to seal the Victorian metropolitan jockeys’ premiership.
Malaise has a good second-up record and two of his three wins have been over 1400m. It’s not an overly strong field and the $4 they are offering looks the right price. The DK Weir-trained Mr Individual is definitely a hope at each-way odds, as is Wenner for Ken Keys.
But unless this horse gets “Willowed”, he should be winning.
Suggested bet: Malaise to win.
Without a Fight completed the rare Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double on Tuesday as star jockey Mark Zahra went back-to-back in the big one after…
The race that stops the nation is upon us again. Every horse in the Melbourne Cup has reasons they can win, and reasons they…
Those who want to have a really big collect on Australia’s greatest race, without risking too much, have to look at the exotic bets.
While most of the attention is on Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's Gold Trip, there's no reason why stablemate Future History cannot upstage him.
Champion jockey Damien Oliver is quietly confident his Melbourne Cup mount Alenquer will be passed fit to give him a farewell ride in the…
Melbourne Cup day is here again, and it’s never anything less than exciting. The Cup itself will of course be full of drama and…
