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Behind the barriers: Five bets for Caulfield and Morphettville

Morphetville takes centre stage this weekend. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Roar Guru
12th July, 2018
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There are some above-average sprinters stepping out in the Sir John Monash (1100 metres) at Caulfield on Saturday, while at Morphettville it is Grand National Day. Here are my five plays across the two meetings.

Bet 1: Each-way – Caulfield Race 2, number six: Atlantica
Odds of $6.50 is probably short enough, but I think she’ll give a bold sight on speed. Jim Smith trains this filly at Morphettville, and she is putting together a pretty good record back home. She gave them a caning a fortnight back at this trip at Morphettville, leading throughout under Alfred Chan. She’ll be on speed again, and a hard 1200 metres is no issue for her and gets Meech on.

Bet 2: Win – Caulfield Race 3, number 14: Mantastic
I’ve been with him in both Australian runs. He really caught the eye first up at Flemington before racing over the mile here, where he was hailed as the winner but the bob of the head went the way of stablemate Haripour. Third up and he looks ready to win, and I’m confident he can get the job done. If he was able to sit near the speed, he’s an odds-on chance.

Bet 3: Win – Caulfield Race 4, number 16: Demolition
I’m hoping he gets a run because he’s the best of the day at Caulfield. It was just a horror show if you were on him at the Moonee Valley midweeks. He just flopped out the back and Williams just couldn’t get clear air until it was all over, and he was a good thing beaten behind Nordic Empire. I think the 1400 metres will be ideal – just give him clear air, please.

Bet 4: Win – Morphettville Race 1, number one: Zataglio
This is a pretty ordinary steeple, but I think he’s the clear stand-out. Eric Musgrove has had a fab season with his jumpers, and this bloke has been great, most notably at his last start at Casterton when lumping 74 kilograms and scoring a superb win, beating home the above-average Surging Wave. His last four runs have been rippers and he’s a proven weight carrier. Clean jumping and he’s the one.

Bet 5: Win – Morphettville Race 2, number two: Thorondor
He won like a very good horse on debut on the Parks track before racing on the course proper four weeks back, when I thought Bowditch rode the colt too cute and allowed Assertive Play to dash up and outgun him late. That filly has since won again, so the form reads well. Hopefully no cute rides here and he just gets the job done. I’d be surprised he isn’t favourite.

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