3 minute read
Back to the Bridge for Saturday with winners to be found.
Not quite as much excitement in SA this week after Extremely Lucky (thankfully for us) turned heads with a withering finish in the Lightning Stakes. Nevertheless, they all pay the same and I think the best bet is generously priced.
Heading to Race 4 with Yuri Royale, who is currently the market's second elect, but my first. Beaten a nose in both runs back this preparation, he comes here third up with a likeable set up.
Ratings of 84 and 86 stack up nicely against the field, bettering anything the current favourite Bolt By has done and equalling Bookman, who nosed Yuri out last time. Now we get the little 2kg swing and I'd assume a slight fitness improvement to turn the tables.
Drawn in the middle, he maps for an okay run and should be able to get a tag from some of the better chances drawn out wide who will push forward.
I marked him favourite and at $4.40 he seems worthy of a gamble.
Found the rest of the card quite even so I'll boldly look to Race 1 for some value in a field with five on debut and another six lining up for their second start.
Hit The Slopes is one of the debutants and relative to what he did in his recent Balaklava trial I thought he'd be shorter. He sat midfield in that 1050m hitout and I liked the way he responded to some light riding for Kayla Crowther, effectively crossing the line with stablemate Independent George and another debutant, Miss Ellarose.
Independent George gets Pannell on which may suggest who the stable pick is, but he struggled on debut and was certainly no better than Hit The Slopes in the trial.
The race favourite is Ice Symphony who was solid on debut behind Eros and the 1200m will suit, but he looks short enough at $2.50. Hit The Slopes will likely get back from a wide gate but I'll take the punt that he runs above his $12 quote on debut.
SAY FROM SA
Bet of the day: Race 4 #7 Yuri Royale @ $4.40
Value play: Race 1 #3 Hit The Slopes @ $12/3.40