BEST BET:
TERRITORIAN (Race 3)
EACH-WAY:
SILVER CHAOS (Race 5)
VALUE:
UNPRAISED (race 2)
Race 1 11:35AM Doug Hall Maiden Plate (1050m)
Nine race card at Balaklava with one eye on the radar to monitor how much rain hits throughout the day.
Richard and Chantelle Jolly have been patient with MIGHTY APHRODITE, he debuts with four trials over the last nine months. The Magna Grecia three-year-old has terrific speed when he hits the ground but the last 100 will be your concern.
A big watch on SAIN AS from the Clarken & O’Shea barn. This son of Zousain was a $320,000 purchase at the 2023 Inglis Classic Sale and looks ready for the races after the trail win last week over Summertime Madness. Also nominated in 3YO at Murray Bridge on Saturday.
SUPREME VALKYRIE was never far from the action in her initial campaign, she will give them a start but close hard along the inside. Backing her in to be strongest late and make a winning return at the value.
BENDING AWAY was given a decent hit out behind a handy one in Caladan in a recent Morphettville trial. LOTTIE JANE in the mix also and noticed a nice push for GERACE from the stable at huge odds. Include in exotics.
Tips: Supreme Valkyrie 1, Sain As 2, Bending Away 3, Mighty Aphrodite 4.
Suggested play: Supreme Valkyrie each-way.
Race 2 12:10PM Sportsbet Race Replays Maiden Plate (1300m)
The Roslyn Day trained XAIAMBI has improved with each outing and gets her chance to break the duck at start five. Expect Emily Finnigan to push forward on the filly from the wide draw and give a good account on speed.
UNPRAISED goes better than his form suggests, gets blinkers first time and can improve sharply here at big odds.
Prepared to forgive NADEGE for getting a little tired late after covering ground last outing behind Silver Chaos at Gawler. With cover and exposed late she can play a role in this shallow affair. Hard to get excited about the rest.
Tips: Xaiambi 1, Unpraised 2, Nadege 3, Mandarin 4.
Suggested play: Spec on Unpraised at big odds.
Race 3 14:45PM Dr. Harold Lane OAM Maiden Plate (1300m)
TERRITORIAN was just pipped first up when well supported favourite behind Stomp’em here three weeks ago. Jason Holder will be positive from the wide draw and put the three-year-old in a winning position early. Wisely scratched last Saturday to be saved for this.
The scratching of KIKKULA leaves TERRITORIAN as a justified short priced favourite.
CANYON WIND was placed on the heavy at Bordertown lasts start, respect from the Stephen Theodore stable.
TERMINAL SHOCK is still learning the caper and did show something last start to suggest their might be a win instore in the not to distant future, extra trip and bigger track are a tick.
Tips: Territorian 1, Terminal Shock 2, Canyon Wind 3, Icanhearzou 4.
Suggested play: Sticking with Territorian.
Race 4 1:20PM Wayne Henson OAM Class One Plate (2200m)
The Travis Doudle trained EMPIRESTATEOFMIND has shown some staying promise this time in when ridden more positively. Solid Mildura maiden win this trip followed by an eighth at Sandown Hillside when found the 2400 to far at this stage of career. Finds a race with no depth so has to go on top. Can't tip you into the opening price however.
Maiden galloper BOCHEEVA had his chance at Bordertown when second to Silent Emmy, that form may be good enough to feature however.
RETOURNE maps for a soft run and can earn a cheque. TYITA is one win from twenty starts but not hopeless at odds.
Tips: Empirestateofmind 1, Bocheeva 2, Retourne 3, Tyita 4
Suggested play: Happy to watch these go round.
Race 5 1:55PM Warren Barrington Class One Handicap (1200m)
FROM THE BLOCK got the job done at the short quote in his Aust debut at Gawler on the heavy 8 a fortnight ago. Form has been franked since with runner-up Bootlegger winning impressively at Gawler on Saturday.
SILVER CHAOS was no match for Caladan in quick time on resumption then relished the heavy track at latest start winning her maiden in style over subsequent impressive winner Koratora. The Barbados filly will go forward make her own luck and you can expect her to be fighting out the finish.
OVERTSTATED was a tad disappointing resuming in a tougher race at headquarters. Drop back in grade helps.
Gear changes may assist COSMIC SPY and respecting the David Jolly & Justin Potter combination with DIADOCHOS.
Tips: Silver Chaos 1, From The Block 2, Overstated 3, Cosmic Spy 4.
Suggested play: Silver Chaos at the each-way quote.
Race 6 2:30PM Austin S Condon Memorial Benchmark 56 Handicap (1050m)
Expect fireworks early here with plenty of speed engaged. MERCURY EIGHT can find the front with pressure to come from CROWN RICHES. SMASHING ACTION, NOSTRYIA, HERE COMES HOGAN and KINDRA PARK.
MERCURY EIGHT has good natural speed which we saw in his Maiden win this track and distance last preparation. Resumes here off a solid trial behind Ice Symphony on June 23. Expected to give a big sight.
NOSTRYIA looks suited dropping back in grade, looks a major player on his Morphettville win two starts back on an anticipated similar surface rating.
No issue if the rain arrives for HERE COMES HOGAN, he never shirked the issue at his SA debut at Morphettville behind Cicala on the 21st of June at cricket score odds.
RUSSIAN BOBSHARK transfer to the John Dunn and Krystal Bishop stable, he handles all conditions and comes into play if they get tired late.
Tips: Mercury Eight 1, Nostryia 2, Russian Bobshark 3, Here Comes Hogan 4.
Suggested Play: Going wide in the first leg of the quaddie.
Race 7 3:05PM Sportsbet Jockey Watch Benchmark 56 Handicap (1050m)
The Paula Trenwith trained MILLIVOY again draws the carpark. Overlook the last run where he got tired late, the performances prior give him a chance at this level.
WARM BREEZE has returned in good order winning both starts this time in, question marks on what he beat but hard to knock winning form and this isn’t strong. Can continue to work through the grades.
ROCKTAGON must be respected from the David Jolly stable first-up, dominant maiden winner when fresh last time in adds confidence of a forward showing. Last chance for IMPORTANT PRODUCT.
Tips: Millivoy 1, Warm Breeze 2, Rocktagon 3, Important Product 4.
Suggested play: Millivoy win and wider play Important Product.
Race 8 3:40PM Des Ross AM & Joyce Ross AM Memorial Rating 0 - 58 Handicap (1600m)
The Jon O'Connor trained MAXILDO can over-do things early in his races and the booking of the inform Jacob Opperman is advantageous.
Should get to the right part of the track and give them something to catch.
OBI returns to the scene of the crime of his win two starts ago. Would pay to monitor if they are making ground from the back given his racing pattern.
MYSTICAL WISDOM never got warm last start when well in the market in a tougher race. This is more suitable. PORT NIGHTS won’t have the luxury of finding the leaders back here but interested to follow his progress with maturity and venturing over more ground.
Tips: Maxildo 1, Obi 2, Mystical Wisdom 3, Port Nights 4
Suggested Play: Something on Maxildo.
Race 9 4:15PM Phyllis & Shirley O'Dea Memorial Benchmark 56 Handicap (1300m)
The scratching of favourite DOBBINAIR this morning opens this race up.
SOLAR MIST has returned in good order for the Bain / Taylor team, nice effort when narrowly beaten by The Plastics at Gawler. With conditions likely to suit late in the day and at the double figures on offer the grey is a play on an each-way basis.
The Jason Cannon trained IMPENDING DIAMOND has recorded two dominant Gawler wins on the heavy in recent starts, another one that looks suited by any precipitation.
STOMP'EM was well ridden on debut taking the late split to gun down Territorian over the 1200 meters on this circuit on 18 June. Can go on with the job.
NEVER SURRENDER is racing well enough to be highly considered here.
Tips: Solar Mist 1, Impending Diamond 2, Stomp’em 3, Never Surrender 4.
Suggested play: Solar Mist each-way.
Tom Rush's Balaklava Punt Preview 9/7
