Almanac Horseracing: Sal previews Doncaster day

 

Greetings All,

 

No footy, house bound, what do we do?  The era of virtual beers is here, has kept friends connected and I love the misnomer because the beers aren’t virtual!

 

We do have Doncaster Day in Sydney, I get why they are still going but then not entirely sure. It is world of conundrums we live in. But if they’re running we might as well take a look, also a massive 10 race card in Adelaide where the conditions might be a bit better.

 

 

Royal Randwick

 

Currently rated as a Soft (7) but rain around makes this meeting very intriguing, definitely one for the Mudders methinks.  Not really interested in the first three races, Fascino (R4, #1) could be challenged with the track condition but is a consistent performer.  The Chairmans leads into the Sydney Cup and Youngstar (R5, #11) hasn’t won for a while but is progressing nicely, at a longer price Yogi (R5, #6) is getting to the right distance range.  Go the Bear!   Now for the big ones!

 

Sires Produce Stakes (G1, 1400m, 2yo SW)

 

The babies stretch out to 1400, Ole Kirk (8) is my pick at a price over the favourite Mamaragan (1).  Bartley (9) ran well in the Black Opal and can figure along with Larimer Street (2) whose form ties in with Ole Kirk (8).  Would have rated Prague (3) higher but for the wide draw, if the track chops up it might not be such a disadvantage.

 

Selections – 8-1-9-2

 

Australian Derby (G1, 2400m, 3yo SW)

 

A real challenge to find a selection here if you don’t want the obvious and a case for plenty.  Warning (3) is known commodity over the journey and has handled slow conditions and looks the safest bet.  Punting is not necessarily about safety, Kiwis have plundered the Sydney carnival on regular basis and Quick Thinker (6) comes off an impressive win last week and don’t reckon the chasers can turn the tables.  Castelvecchio (1) and Shadow Hero (2) are justifiably at the top of the charts just think they might be unders.  Have loved Eric the Eel (11) beating older horses in Brisbane and Skiddaw (9) can win if he can handle the conditions.  Great race!

 

Selections – 3-6-1-2

 

TJ Smith Stakes (G1, 1200m, WFA)

 

One of the great sprints on the calendar, this renewal comes down to one horse.  If Nature Strip (1) runs to his best he wins and I reckon he will.  If he doesn’t it is pretty open, Loving Gaby (13) is a favourite of mine but the conditions may not suit.  They will suit her rival Bivouac (7) well-drawn, H Bowman!  Pierata (2) will love the speed that Nature Strip (1) will provide and will be closing hard and Redzel (4) gets to the scene of his greatest triumphs and loves the soft ground.  Does not end there.

 

Selections – 1-7-13-2

 

Doncaster Mile (G1, 1600m, HCP)

 

Looking for a duck with a lightweight.  Not sure if Shared Ambition (17) is a duck, but has the lightweight and just wins everything!  Not sure coming back from 2000m is great, however much more trust in C Waller than my judgement.  If he is set for this he can win.  Brandenburg (19) gets the services of G Boss, he picks his big rides well.  Yulong Prince (9) was terrific in the Ajax and should be cherry ripe for a big run and Super Seth (8) has been awarded the weight of a very good colt, just might be well above them all.  The field size, the quality and the conditions make this a raffle.

 

Selections – 17-19-9-8

 

We close out the meeting with Rubisaki (R10, #2), she is just a winner and has won travelling clockwise.

 

Morphettville

 

A huge program of 10 races in Adelaide leading into the SA Derby and Oaks coming up.  In the 2yo race the Baron rides Zoushine (R4, #7), has some quality against her but attracted plenty of money at her first start to just get nabbed.  Might be some value.  Dalasan (R7, #1) looks a class above the rest in the Port Adelaide Guineas, should win but can do enough wrong so not sure about taking red ink.  Perhaps Playoffs (R7, #5) presents as better value.  Bonvicini (R8, #2) has won here and back to her own age group should run well.  Garner (R9, #14) has never missed a place, tough test against older animals but that might just get us a better price.  Wary of 9 and 11 in that race

 

Caulfield

 

Back in metro Melbourne on a heavy track makes it a challenge, at least we will be inside.  Good Idea (R2, #7) comes off 2nd in the Adelaide Cup and a good record in slow conditions.  Diamond Effort (R6, #6) just keeps on winning and the conditions ds not appear to be an issue.  Russian Camelot (R7, #8) is promising but has not been good to punters, reckon Tooradin (R7, #11) represents better value.

 

Quaddie Mania

 

Sydney

 

Leg 1 – 1,2,3,5,6,9

Leg 2 – 1,2,7,13

Leg 3 – 1,8,9,14,17,19

Leg 4 – 2

 

Adelaide

 

Leg 1 – 1,3,5

Leg 2 – 2,4,5,8,11

Leg 3 – 9,11,12,14,16

Leg 4 – 12,19

 

Melbourne

 

Leg 1 – 1,4,5,6,8

Leg 2 – 4,8,11

Leg 3 – 1,3,4,5,7

Leg 4 – 1,2,3,10

 

Cheers, Sal

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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