Opinion
Back this week for what would normally be the Hawkesbury standalone meeting, but we’re at Rosehill.
With no crowds, the main difference is the jockeys. The big guys stay on for another week.
Another week of near misses last week, apparently Schmiddy had most of them but if you’re not on The Roar it’s bear in the woods stuff. Anyway, I’m slipping and the time to correct it is this Saturday.
Chimney’s best bet: Race 4, In Her Time
I was all over In Her Time last week and tore up the ticket when she missed the jump badly. I reviewed the race and she reeled off great closing sectionals – the best last 800 of the race and some of the best sectionals for the day. Looks an absolute special here against this lot in Race 4. Not concerned about the 60 kilos as only a four-kilo spread. I’m taking the $3.80 now.
Dixie’s best bet: Race 5, All Too Royal
I think All Too Hard should have all too much for this lot. He gets in beautifully with 56 kilos, flies fresh and was in the mix against the big guns earlier this year down south. I like Soothing at 1100, Villami and God of Thunder are good horses as well, I even have a crush on Albumin, but I think he’ll pants them.
Dixie’s 2020 tally
Units bet: 138
Units won: 123.80
Based on one unit being equal to $1 win bet, NSW dividends (see comments for any changes based on scratchings or track condition).
(PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)
Race 1
No selection. Funny two-year-old race.
Race 2: 13 Loves to Rock (one unit)
Pretty sad state of affairs here with a lot of mid-weekers running over 2000 metres. The class is Shadow Flight, who went close in a Group 3 last time but pays for it with four kilos. He’s one of many non-winners here (eight of the 15 horses nominated haven’t won in 200 days – up to 811 with High Opinion). Scrapping those leaves me with Loves to Rock at double-figure odds. She’s won her last two in provincial class over this sort of trip, gets weight relief and will go forward in a race without a lot of speed.
Race 3: 16 Donandkim (one unit)
Not any easier here (although Juventus’ scratching removes one big chance). I’m going with a three-year-old Donandkim, was competitive last prep at group level and meets these pretty well. Jetski and Impactful are nicely weighted too, Grand Piano and Word for Word are both around the mark.
Race 4: 6 Bangkok (one unit)
Chimney can have his topweight (weight can stop a train), I’ll be with Bangkok. She’s been very good late with excuses, it looks the right race, I’m hoping with four kilos grace she can sit near the fave and whoosh past her in the straight. Very interested in Irithea, which ran half a length behind the Doncaster winner (giving her weight) and the money is starting to come.
Race 5: 5 All Too Royal (three units)
Like this guy, his form behind Anaheed and Pippie is great, was scratched last week presumably for a firm surface and he gets it here (seven from 15 on good tracks). Took Soothing last time, the drop back to 1100 and dry are ticks. Villami and Agent Pippa rate highly if they don’t fight too hard to lead, God of Thunder will steam home.
Race 6: 3 Eleven Eleven (one unit)
This lines up very well for Eleven Eleven. He was two lengths from Alligator Blood three times over summer, that’s A-1 stuff. Complete forgive first-up when he got shuffled back and left himself too big a task. Good track suits. Indy Car, Dawn Passage and St Covet’s Spirit are all hopes. Spend cost a serious amount of money (as the name suggest), his owners are hoping he turns up.
Race 7: 10 Royal Celebration (one unit)
Keen on Royal Celebration in the Gold Cup – yes, another top rater with a wide draw, his wins at benchmark grade have been solid and he won’t know himself carrying 54 kilos. Plenty of chances. Amangiri is always hard to get past, Unforgotten has distance and second-up ticks and Aliferious needs to disprove my non-winner tag (nine first-four finishes in last 15 starts, without a win).
Race 8: 13 Nordicus (two units)
Any chance of a good barrier? Nordicus has drawn the car park, but I still can’t go past his form around Indy Car, was nosed out there giving him three kilos. Indy Car was one of the faves for the Group 3 Guineas on this card before being scratched, and even better, Nordicus drops four kilos from that day. He’ll have most of any money I have left. The others were all a fair way off – 2, 6 and 11 will be in any multiples but I’ll stick solid.
Good luck, enjoy your Saturday punt, I look forward to your comments, celebrations and criticisms – go the Royal.
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