BEST BETS
SWIFTIE HARRIET (RACE 5)
EACH-WAY
GREATESTOFEASE (RACE 3)
HIGH TOR (RACE 7)
R1 Sportsbet Racing Form Maiden Plate (2200m)
Modest staying maiden but most of the field comes out of the same race so the form looks easy enough to line up. EMPRESS OF SOUL (5) was in the bunch finish over this track and trip seven days ago. That was her first try at the distance and she should be rock hard fit now on the quick back-up. Stable and jockey are flying so trust the combination. FLAMING EYES finished second in that race at Balaklava and is an obvious winning chance here. Draws well and gets Stubby so must be considered a winning threat. CRACKEN GOOD TIME (2) also comes out of that race last week. He looks the likely leader again and, if he can pinch a few easy sectionals, he might be hard to get past. CAPTAIN LOVE (1) put in a career-best run over the track and distance last start. One for the exotics.
SELECTIONS: 5 EMPRESS OF SOUL, 6 FLAMING EYES, 2 CRACKEN GOOD TIME, 1 CAPTAIN LOVE.
PLAY: Backing 5 EMPRESS OF SOUL to win.
R2 Clare Valley Toyota Maiden Plate (1050m)
GOOD EXPECTATIONS (11) was backed in from a big price on debut and, after missing the start and settling back, was very good to the line, just finding one better. With the benefit of race experience and from a good draw, she can improve and win. SIMPLY SID (2) is coming off a career-best run here last start. This is no harder and Pannell goes on, which is a plus. He can provide some resistance. MALDIVICA (12) tackled some strong races as a 2YO, which suggests connections have an opinion of her. She looks well placed back in maiden grade and there is every reason to think she can run a forward race first-up. Thought ARTISTIC ANGEL (9) would be out of maiden grade by now but her two runs this campaign have been only fair. She’s got early speed and if she can replicate the glimpses of ability she’s shown, she can feature in the money. Respecting the debutant CANNES (10) from the Bain and Taylor stable.
SELECTIONS: 11 GOOD EXPECTATIONS, 2 SIMPLY SID, 12 MALDIVICA, 9 ARTISTIC ANGEL.
PLAY: Backing 11 GOOD EXPECTATIONS to win.
R3 Coopers Brewery Rating 0-56 Handicap (2200m)
Not the deepest staying race on paper. GREATESTOFEASE (6) creates plenty of interest on the very quick back-up. Thought she was good without all the luck and a bit more to offer on Sunday. She’s improved with each run for the Lynch stable and she maps to get the right run here. BELLAVARDO (5) looks well placed back to this grade after tackling some stronger metropolitan races of late. She's at peak fitness now and has great stats at the track and distance. She’s another that should get the right run. MANDINO (1) is better than his recent form suggests. He will roll forward and give a bit of a sight with the claim. The last 100m will be interesting. COURS VITE (2) is another that should be rock-hard fit for recent racing. Ben Price should get all the favours from a low draw and he can run top three.
SELECTIONS: 6 GREATESTOFEASE, 5 BELLAVARDO, 1 MANDINO, 2 COURS VITE.
PLAY: Having something on 6 GREATESTOFEASE on an each-way basis.
R4 Select & Atlas Events & Party Hire Maiden Plate (1300m)
PRINCE LUCIFER (12) is first-up and looks to have found a winnable assignment. He opened last campaign with a narrow defeat at this track and distance, despite no market expectation. The wide draw makes things tricky but he gets the services of Jacob Opperman, who is riding in form. OLDPOP (10) showed some improvement second-up to 1300m. He stays at that distance and might be ready to peak third-up. He looks a top-three chance if things go right from the barrier. MASTER CHARLIE (5) has had a few chances but his last three runs have all had merit. The rise to 1300m looks suitable and he should get a cosy run from the inside. He's an each-way chance. URBANISE (14) can improve second-up and concede that she’s a chance in this as per the market expectation, although I thought she was only fair last time.
SELECTIONS: 12 PRINCE LUCIFER, 10 OLDPOP, 5 MASTER CHARLIE, 14 URBANISE.
PLAY: Backing 12 PRINCE LUCIFER to win.
R5 Agfert Class One Handicap (1200m)
Without doubt the race of the day. SWIFTIE HARRIET (1) won on debut at this track and distance before progressing to a series of great runs in Stakes races during the Carnival. There's no doubt she will be better over further and the 61.5kg is a decent impost but she could just be too good for this lot. She can settle in the first half of the field and will be hard to hold out. ZOUTRAIL (10) draws well and has no weight after the claim. She has tactical speed and the ability to roll forward and give them something to catch. DAMPEN (4) showed ability in some strong 2YO races last season. Forgive his sole appearance in the winter and trust he can return to his best. SILVER CHAOS (6) is consistent and looks a top-three chance back from a freshen-up, while FUSSY AS (3) has further upside after a maiden win last start. Good race with a few winning hopes.
SELECTIONS: 1 SWIFTIE HARRIET, 10 ZOUTRAIL, 4 DAMPEN, 3 FUSSY AS.
PLAY: Backing 1 SWIFTIE HARRIET to win.
R6 BTR Excavation Benchmark 56 Handicap (1050m)
ONE KIND (8) was brilliant at this track and distance last start and suspect she's the one to beat again. She draws low and should get all the favours in the run. Any give in the ground will aid her chances but she's quite versatile. THE GOV (1) is racing below her best but she is the class horse in this race and is unbeaten at her only start here. The barrier makes it tricky but only a brave punter would leave her out. BENTLEY BROOK (4) might be able to go forward and control the race. He had to absorb too much pressure last time but his prior form is OK for this. BROADWAY LANE (13) is a top three chance again.
SELECTIONS: 8 ONE KIND, 1 THE GOV, 4 BENTLEY BROOK, 13 BROADWAY LANE.
PLAY: Backing 8 ONE KIND to win.
R7 Taylors Wines Benchmark 56 Handicap (1400m)
HIGH TOR (7) looks the horse to beat off last start, where she settled back and produced a big finish to win comfortably. She can settle midfield from the draw and charge over the top of them again. She's the top seed for me. FLAMBARD (3) looks well placed back to this grade after doing his recent racing in town. He's drawn low and maps well for Holder. He looks an obvious danger. COPPER BULLET (2) can bounce back up to 1400m and is a likely candidate to fill the minor money. The barrier makes it harder but he's a must for quaddies and exotics. The top weight and early favourite FLAMING NAVY (1) is first-up and must be respected. He won first-up at Morphettville last campaign before going on to tackle a Listed race. A recent jump out was solid, while the draw and claim aid his chances.
SELECTIONS: 7 HIGH TOR, 3 FLAMBARD, 2 COPPER BULLET, 1 FLAMING NAVY.
PLAY: Backing 7 HIGH TOR on an each0way basis.