Opinion
That smell of the carnival gets ever closer this Saturday as we move to Rosehill for their pre-Slipper meeting featuring the Coolmore Classic for fillies and mares.
Meanwhile, Moonee Valley hosts the $5 million All Star Mile. Weather is an unknown, predicted falls in Sydney haven’t come, I’ve done my stuff thinking we’ll be on a good surface and the rain will come in Melbourne.
Following last Saturday’s big win there’s some value late in the day again this week, particularly in the quaddie legs later in the card. I am gambling 16 units across the day, including a dabble late at Gosford.
2020-21 season (since 1 August)
Outlay: 392 units
Return: 514.6 units
Stats are based on one unit being equal to a $1 win bet, New South Wales dividends. See the comments for any changes based on scratchings or track condition.
Race 1 – 13 Jungle Book (one unit)
This is a nice little distance race to start the day. Jungle Book gets the beloved weight drop, comes back to 1900 metres and has drawn well. It’ll do me at double-figure odds. Great House is a nice type but is too short for me to consider. I rated Toscanini as a major player.
Race 2 – 2 Arcaded (one unit)
Arcaded got squeezed in the Blue Diamond at Caulfield. She won her two starts before that in good style and can bounce back against this crew. Mallory looks like a good horse and Queen of Wizardry was good in Queensland.
Race 3 – 15 Awe (one unit)
Considering Ingratiating’s short price, I’m going to dabble on Awe having his first start for Team Hawkes. He’s an expensive colt and is singing for his supper with a spot in the Slipper there if he’s ready. He’s not here for a holiday. Shaquero can do better if the surface is dry, Captivant has been unlucky and Converge is one from one for Clark-Waterhouse.
Race 4 – 3 The Chosen One (one unit)
This is another race with a deservedly short favourite. In looking around him The Chosen One was the obvious danger. He was fourth in the Melbourne Cup last year and returned well, beating Melody Belle in NZ first up. Collette was superb behind Verry Elleegant and gets weight and class favours in this. Spirit Ridge interests me as the possible leader in what looks to be a slowly run race.
Race 5 – 5 California Zimbol (two units)
I am keen on the Zimbol in the big sprint of the day. She has ticks at the track, distance, in good or soft going and first up from a spell. Her win at Caulfield in October is good for this and Kerrin McEvoy on top is a gun move. I saw Prime Candidate as a big player, although he might be better over 1200 metres and further. Albumin is a Rosehill 1100 specialist. He’s known to bob up at a price. Wandabaa is the spruik horse. It is a potential non-winner.
Race 6 – Yaletown (one unit)
I am trusting the Clark-Waterhouse combo with this Coolmore three-year-old. He should be able to control things in front and kick on. It is beautifully named too. His dad is Vancouver. Poland is the main threat.
Race 7 – 18 Vangelic (one unit)
Where do you look here? It is an amazing edition of the Coolmore with chances and value galore. A lot of the ones I like have drawn Parramatta Speedway. Hello Vangelic. She’s right down the bottom with 50 kilos on her back. She should get a nice spot with the speed with Sovereign Award, Reelem In Ruby (welcome back Andrew Adkins) and even my buddy Dame Giselle needing to come across from out wide, and the extra trip should be okay. Others? Sovereign Award won well in Melbourne and will burn across to lead. Forbidden Love looked a superstar with her win last time. It is a ripper.
Race 8 – 1 Mister Sea Wolf (one unit)
Mister Sea Wolf looks suited at the race conditions. The old boy generally comes to hand quickly at a trip and is class. Buffalo River burnt the clock last time and got a stitch with the line in sight. He will likely look the winner at the 200. I Am Superman rates well and Rock has a big turn of foot.
(PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)
Race 9 – 6 Starspangled Rodeo (two units)
I am finishing up with Starspangled Rodeo. He took the unusual step of leading last time and he won well. Hopefully he can repeat the dose here. It is up in grade but down nicely in weight. My Gold Bracelet is an interesting entry up from Melbourne. She had excuses at the big end of town in the spring. Her team may have big plans for the autumn and have her fired up for this. Lina’s Hero comes from Hong Kong and was solid in her first start in Australia. Two Big Fari rates okay.
Melbourne: Race 8 – 11 Probabeel (one unit)
I am backing the rain to come. Probabeel is the best miler and is solid on soft going. I am interested in on-speed types if it’s dry. What a cracking race.
Gosford: Race 8 – 12 Great News (three units)
Jay Ford has given up a book of rides at the big Rosehill meeting to be with this one in the Provincials Qualifier.
Gold Coast: Race 8 – 8 Kisukano (one unit)
Kisukano has the 1200-metre track record at Eagle Farm and will give them something to chase in the feature north of the border.
Good luck and stay safe. Please feel free to hit me up with your thoughts and comments across the big day.
What’s your best bet? For great odds on all your favourite sports check out PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
It’s a pretty good time to be a Tasmanian sports fan right now. After years in the sporting wilderness with not much to celebrate,…
Olympic swimming legend and Australian Sports Commission boss Kieren Perkins has warned that "someone will die" if a multi-sport event that allows athletes to…
In 2015 when heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko, the fighter regarded by many as the ‘Greatest of all time’ in the sport,…
Join Australia's most vibrant online sports community and you have the chance to win $1000. The Roar is the perfect blend of sports reporting,…
Here is a review of our boxers who made a splash in the world rankings over the past year.
After intense debate at Roar HQ, we’ve selected the 23 most controversial moments for 2023.
