Become a member to join in Australia's biggest sporting debate, submit articles, receive updates straight to your inbox and keep up with your favourite teams and authors.
Eight races have been set down for Tabcorp Park in Menangle on Saturday night.
Below is a preview of the meeting.
Race 1
I’m pretty keen on Pitch Perfect here. I am assuming that Ideal Warrior will come out, so Pitch Perfect will have the inside and should hold the lead, proving very hard to run down. This horse has had two weeks off since an absolute gut-buster when breezing in a 1.51.56 mile rate. This horse gets a much better run this time around and I am confident he wins. This horse is one of the best on the program.
Race 2
His best days are behind him, but despite being 11 years of age, Don Boston has a barrier to use his gate speed and run a very bold race from the front. He did that back on October 13 and gave an almighty kick, just feeling the pinch late when second. He will lead and roll. Each way at around $20, he’s worth a speck.
Suggested bet: 1×3 play with Don Boston.
Race 3
Star Major should get a lovely run from the barrier. James Rattray trains and drives. This horse was beaten as an odds-on pop here two weeks ago when showing little to no gate speed and he tried hard, just failing to get the win. He does have gate speed, and he’ll come out to lead early, then get the trail behind potentially either Shanwaw or Game Set Major.
Suggested bet: Star Major to win.
(PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Race 4
Marty Major is the best on the program here. This horse is a Roy Roots Jnr-trained seven-year-old that is absolutely flying at the moment. This horse showed good gate speed to lead throughout and win here two weeks ago in a mile rate of 1.52.2. Go back five runs, he led from gate ten and placed in a 1.50.9 mile rate, so don’t be put off by the wide draw. He can press forward, lead and prove too good.
Suggested bet: Marty Major to win.
Race 5
The early push in betting has come for Escalera and I have to agree. This horse ran here last Saturday and led throughout from gate two, bolting up and clocking a very slick 1.51.1 mile rate, which is about a length roughly quicker than anything else in the race in terms of recent runs. He’ll lead and take a power of beating from the front.
Race 6
At the better odds, I have to be with Alta Orlando in what looks a race in two between it and King Of Swing. The latter is a month between runs, having not raced since an excellent second in the Victoria Cup to Lochinvar Art. But he draws the outside here and is outside Alta Orlando, who ran a 1.49.8 mile rate when winning two weeks ago. He’ll carve over and lead, potentially hand up to King Of Swing, and get last look on him. The odds are $3.20 versus $1.50, so I would much rather be with the former odds.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Suggested bet: Alta Orlando to win.
Race 7
The gate is tricky, but recent runs have well and truly confirmed that Conan Bridge is much better suited under mobile conditions than a standing start. He was specked at a price when winning here last Saturday, getting the perfect sit off the speed and finishing over the top. He’ll be relying on a good speed and getting last look. If that eventuates, he can win again.
Suggested bet: Conan Bridge to win.
Race 8
This is not the strongest race to close out the night, so I am looking for value and at double figures, I can back Mister Magic Man. His past couple of runs have come at Penrith where he has placed each time after showing good gate speed and batting away okay in defeat. He should hold a forward spot from the pole and he’ll do me each way in the last.
