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Behind the barriers: Five bets For Flemington and Morphettville

Morphetville takes centre stage this weekend. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Roar Guru
20th July, 2018
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A touch of spring is in the air at Flemington this Saturday, with some nice types stepping out, and that’s also the case in the feature at Morphettville with the Oaklands Plate over 1400 metres.

Here are my five plays across the two meetings.

Bet 1: Win – Flemington Race 2, number seven: So Splendid
This is a nothing race for the mares, but she looks the standout. Her two runs this time in at Rosehill have been quite good, and while she’s lacked the turn of foot to get the job done, she’s kept finding the line and hasn’t beaten far. The 1700 metres of Flemington look perfect for this girl, and she has plenty of upside along with the fact she’s run well here before in much stronger races than this.

Bet 2: Win – Flemington Race 3, number four: Crocodile Rock
He just has to be anywhere near right and he’ll be winning, The stable don’t really fire until late August based on stats, but he does look a fascinating runner. He had three runs in the winter and spring last year, including a second to star stablemate Almandin in the JRA Trophy. The stable have told stewards they are opting to go back, which leaves me worried, but he has class.

Bet 3: Win – Flemington Race 9, number four: Invincible Al
I was critical of Nathan Punch and his steer on Street Sheik last week, but I’ll give him another chance on this sprinter. He did a huge job to win over 1000 metres on the Parks track four weeks ago given he was ridden completely upside down. Normally he is a horse who needs to be ridden cold with cover, but not that afternoon – he was wide with no cover on speed yet just proved too good. He can go on with it here.

Bet 4: Win – Morphettville Parks Race 4, number three: Holy Freeze
This is a tough meeting in South Australia, but I’m keen on him. Darren Weir trains this three-year-old, who was heavily backed when taking on the older horses over 1300 metres at Sandown but just did a bit too much work in the run and didn’t quite see the 1300 metres out when third to Onslaught. I like him back to 1250 metres against his own age. He should take some beating.

Bet 5: Each-way – Morphettville Parks Race 6, number 12: Disco Rebel
I think odds of $26-plus is a crazy price. Sue Jaensch brings this daughter of Rebel Raider straight to town after winning over 1430 metres at Naracoorte on debut, coming with a well-timed run from the back. She has plenty of upside, and though the time was five lengths slower than the other 1430-metre race that afternoon, the stable don’t bring them to town unless they perform.

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