Saturday Winners Guide

Friday, 8 May 2009

HAWKESBURY

Lyncean Academy was unlucky last start Photo by Racing and Sports

Race 2: (6) SHAKETHE GROUND – Going well this preparation and his free running racing style should see him well suited to this course. Went too hard in front last start over 1400m at Randwick when he opened up a big lead only to be caught in the last 30 metres. Will take some running down under these conditions if his rider can rate him better in the first half.
Race 4: (3) JORDAN VALLEY  – Progressive type who will find this trip to his liking after his close last start third over 2000m at Randwick when not much went right for him in the run. The form line through the winner of that race stood up in the Wagga Cup and points to him having an excellent chance in this big field where he is drawn to enjoy a good run.
Race 5: (4) LYNCEAN ACADEMY  – Ready to peak after he endured tough wide run over 2000m at the Randwick carnival when narrowly beaten by Prima Nova in Listed company at only his third start since January. Back to 1600m is no great concern as he boasts an excellent record at the trip and also is a winner over this course and distance.

FLEMINGTON

Tempest Tost is a little grey star Photo by Racing and Sports

Race 2: (1) TEMPEST TOST  – Absolute bonny filly from Tassie. She was showing signs of participating well in the group races before the Gold Coast in January then fought on like a tiger in the $1m 3yo Trophy holding off Rock Kingdom. The claim helps even more.
Race 3: (1) READY TO LIFT  – Shows her best at 2000m+ and that is exactly where she is Saturday. Meets some two milers and even hurdlers so her turn of foot will be hard to hold out going off what she did in Sydney over the summer months.
Race 8: (6) SPONTANEOUS  – Ex-kiwi now with the Mike Moroney stable. Has a postage stamp on his back and comes here off fair NZ form. It was all around the likes of last week's good 3yo GC runs Izonit & Prix Du Sang plus Daffodil and up and coming stayer The Meista. Might end up a Qld Derby horse so keep an eye on the run.

DOOMBEN

Ballack worked home nicely last start Photo by Racing and Sports

Race 5: (4) BALLACK  – Is best around this distance range as was shown up here in Brisbane this time last year. Worked home very nicely first up at Flemington when Chasm got the rails split. Booking of Damien Oliver is a help and Danny O'Brien looks to have a very handy team in Qld again this year.
Race 6: (5) COURT RULER  – The kiwi 3yos have been very competitive against their Aussie rivals and this one ran 4th in the NZ Derby. A concern is if the mile is that one step too short because at 2000m he'd be the one to beat and could well shape up in the Derby. Three starts back won an open age G3 event and all his form is around much of NZ's best middle distance horses. A shocking draw will net a juicy big price but even if he doesn't win, if his last furlong is good be on him next time.
Race 7: (4) SWISS ACE   – We stupidly took him on in the Sir Byrne Hart thinking all the tough dogfights he's been in would take their toll. If anything he thrived on it. Was beaten a length in this race last year behind Apache Cat and between now and then he's won the G2 at EF, was placed in the Newmarket and of course won the G1 Oakleigh Plate.

MORPHETTVILLE

Chasm is flying at present in this grade Photo by Racing and Sports

Race 1: (3) TRADEMAN's CHOICE – Handy galloper making his jumps debut (assuming jumps racing is going ahead!). Has trailed well in Victoria recently, winning over 2400m at Warrnambool, ahead of a return trip there later in the season. Looks well placed here, jockey is on fire and has an amazing strike-rate, and can make a winning debut.
Race 4: (3) JUST SYBIL  – Honest filly fitter for one run from a spell. Raced at Oakbank and covered ground there when a game second behind Shekinaar. This slightly tougher but drops marginally in weight. Drawn for a good run off the speed and should be hard to hold out.
Race 6: (3) CHASM  – Talented Victorian galloper who raced at a mile for the first time last start at Flemington and won easily. Drops slightly in the weights for this and winning rider has stuck with him. Very honest, looks very well placed, hits the line hard and the only way he'll miss the placings here would be a distinct lack of pace or bias.


*** Please Note: The Best Bet in each State is signified in BOLD ***