Almanac Horseracing – Sal’s Preview: Tips for tough times

 

 

Greetings All,

 

After our national cabinet has given license for some relief we still have footballers who just don’t quite get it.  Jockeys who ventured to Adelaide for the carnival locked themselves away for two, however a bunch of footballers put themselves above the rest of the public. Idiotic!  We all might get some relief dependent on which of Scotty’s ideas Dan is prepared to agree with.

 

What we can agree on is that my suggestions are struggling and this week looks difficult again, but it is the only game in town.  In fact not only this town but the world is watching with us.  The SA Derby is the main game while Caulfield lost the Melbourne meetings – let’s hope we get a fair track somewhere.

 

Melbourne

 

These times are seeing large fields and open races with plenty of short priced favourites being rolled in the last couple of weeks.  The track should be in good knick after a windy week – it could degrade quickly with the predicted rain during the afternoon.

 

Race 1

 

The opener provides with one of the better named horses for these times in Out of Isolation (6), probably an omen bet but has good support from a good trial win.  Be inclined to watch on with the babies.

 

Race 2

 

Absolute guess in the second the favourite Sikorsky (12) has good credentials and D Oliver is in fine form.  At a long price Black Sail (2) is up to this and Viral (7) has good form.

 

Race 3

 

Oasis Girl (3) is the pick for the third after being scratched from the heavy track last week.  If we are presented with another leader biased track, then The Lifeline (1) will be hard to get past.  Down the list Beau Zoom (11)keeps on running in the top three.

 

Race 4

 

Like Arctic Shock (4) with the apprentice claim in this, again wide open.  Extreme Pride (6) won here in October and is a 1600m specialist and Supre (10) looks well in at the weights.

 

Race 5

 

We have a shorty in It’s a Kind of Magic (6)here in a big field, reckon there might be better value in Felicia (9) second up and has won 2 from 3.  At longer odd St Edward’s Crown (8) is also second up and was competing against the best during the spring.

 

Race 6

 

So Si Bon (2) broke through last start and one the few suggestions that has delivered!  The 3kg claim give him a great chance to back it up.  If the track does deteriorate then Mask of Time (6) comes right into calculation.  Hang Man (8) has a great third up record and Kiwia (1) wins this at his best and has produced first up.

 

Race 7

 

A ripper race with plenty of chances.  Most interested in the return of Defibrillate (1), unkindly weighted and prefer over further.  Although has won over this trip and has won fresh. Grinzinger Star (10) gets to the right distance range third up, Shot of Irish (6)was favoured by the leader bias last week but still smashed them and Sentimentalist (5) is in good form.  At longer odds Zoey’s Comet (15)gets a run and is two from three first up.

 

Race 8

 

Going with the Blue Army and Coruscate (8) who meets William Thomas (3) 3½ kg better after running third to him last start. Vainstream (5) won here last start and goes well under N Callow.

 

Race 9

 

Hopefully something left in the bank still. Absolute Flirt (3)is very consistent but two from 12 is a worry when you need a winner. There are three lightly raced horses with excellent hit rates. The Astrologist (5) won a couple and then chased home Rubisaki – coming off a long spell but the form is good. Moi Choux (2) is three from four, comes to town and gets D Oliver. P Payne brings Ididitforlove (9) to town also with a two from three record.

 

Quaddie

 

Leg 1 – 1, 2, 4, 6, 8

Leg 2 – 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15

Leg 3 – 3, 5, 8

Leg 4 – 2, 3, 5, 9

 

Adelaide

 

Wary of two year old races but was impressed with Ecumenical (R2, #7) chasing down her opponents in her previous starts and reckon the 1400 will suit. Heka Express (R4, #3) was scratched from Melbourne but is a good chance of running here. Kooweerup (R6, #6) is becoming a costly conveyance but Maher-Eustace do travel them well.

 

Race 8 – South Australian Derby (G1, 2500m, 3yo SW)

 

Dalasan (1) is undefeated in Adelaide but gets his biggest test with the distance and the opposition. Russian Camelot (4)looks high quality but can do plenty wrong; this is tough at start five.  The flashing light was on Warning (2) behind Dalasan (1) in the Chairman’s and is probably the one most likely to beat him with an extra 500m.  Not discounting the filly Moonlight Maid (12) who was tough in Oaks last week as she was ridden against her usual pattern.  Always need to respect CJW in these races – Toffee Tongue last week and Miyake (5) here.

 

Selections – 1-2-12-4

 

Hoping The Baron can get us home in the last on Aten (R9, #7).

 

And further afield

 

Just trying to pick a couple out in Sydney opening up in the fourth and giving True Detective (SR4, #3) another chance- I’m trusting JMac to overcome the wide draw. Masked Crusader (SR5, #14) was scratched from Melbourne last week for this but is short enough. I always like an each way gamble on Super Star Bob (SR5, #15). Greyworm (SR8, #3) is flying but so is Snitz (SR8, #8), who looks generously weighted in comparison.  Then heading further north to Brisbane we see the return of Outback Barbie (BR8, #8) – three of her four wins have been fresh.

 

Good Luck,

 

Cheers, Sal

 

 

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Comments

  1. Not sure if any body watched the races on Thursday.

    Kapover, a horse i’m a part owner of, ran second in the Leeton Cup.

    Decent ride by Bradley Vale.

    Glen!

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