Almanac Horseracing – Sal’s Preview: We have a date!

Greetings All,

 

The shackles have been loosened and the great quandary of life now is ‘do I go out and see someone or do that Zoom meeting?’   A step closer to AFL footy with training scheduled and on to June 11.  Kudos to the SA and WA governments for not making exceptions for footy clubs, it has to be rules are for everyone.  Can’t work out why they want to go to the Gold Coast after walking the dog in 1.7 degrees through Burwood this morning.  All governments segregating professional sport from community sport does present inconsistency but theoretically those professional outfits have greater capacity to adhere to necessary protocols around testing and sanitization.  Or so you’d think!  The Adelaide lads clearly either did not understand the protocols or just flat out ignored and put themselves above the rest of us.  Worse still both SA Police and AFL slapped them with a wet newspaper.

 

While footy is a couple of weeks away so the neddies remain the only game in town.  Brilliant performance from Russian Camelot to win the SA Derby last week, not sure about Melbourne Cup favouritism but reckon he might have last year’s winner covered.

 

This week we have the Goodwood in Adelaide as the main attraction while Queensland starts heating up for their reduced Winter Carnival.  In Melbourne we head back headquarters for the Andrew Ramsden Stakes which gives the winner a free ticket to the big dance in November.  Last year Steel Prince won and went on to finish 9^th in the cup while runner up Surprise Baby was less than a length from the winner finishing fifth and was just displaced as this year’s favourite by the SA Derby Winner.

 

Predictions are that we will get some decent weather and a good track so my suggestions should have no excuses.  Again though big fields so finding the winners might be tough but they should provide good returns if you find them.

 

Race 1 – 1200m, F&M HCP

The opener down the straight has me suggesting Mrs O’Malley (9) with a 3kg claim is weighted to win.  Respect for Gododdin (2) who could be advantaged with the outside alley.   Import Loolwah (10) has not competed in a race shorter than 1400, but who knows what wizardry D O’Brien has in store.

 

Race 2 – 1000m, 2YO SWP

Great to have a race with a horse called Nantucket (1).   Aside from that not much interest here with the babies and better to watch and learn.  If I have to then with Chrome Angel (7).

 

Race 3 – 1600m, 3YO Fillies BM78

November Dreaming (6) and Librate (8) are the top picks here and the draw has me preferring the former.  Charleise (5) was well supported last start maybe it should have been here.

 

Race 4 – 1600m, HCP BM78

Sticking with Duke of Plumpton (7) and think he might be handy, certainly a risk on a good track but happy to take it.  Orleans Rock (13) has a similar query but is in fine form.  If form is the guide then Diplomatic Measure (10) rates highly especially if the track gets up to a good rating.  Sikorsky (9) scratched from last week has hopes, just reckon too short a price as this goes to press.

 

Race 5 – 1000m, HCP

Not much between Causeway Girl (8) and the 3yo King of Hastings (9) and ultimate choice will come down to whether the inside our outside has the advantage.  Better value for the former.  Prezado (4) was terrific over this trip last start but goes up in weight.  Milwaukee (3) loves the straight and gets 3kg relief with in form apprentice L German on board, just might find 1000 too short.

 

Race 6 – The Andrew Ramsden (Listed, 2800m, WFA)

King of Leogrance (2) has found another level since moving to the O’Brien stable capped off with the Adelaide Cup.  Given that he is lumbered with an extra 4 ½ kg from that race and has never carried more than 54 ½ in Australia I’d be wary of jumping on board without a 3 at the front of the price.  The Waller import Norway (6) has been going OK lumping big weights and gets out to a suitable distance.  Oceanex (12) is the pick of the girls meeting Sopressa (10) on better terms for the beating.  Dark Alley (9) chased KOL in the Adelaide then won very impressively last start.  Another good renewal and a wide quaddie leg.

 

Race 7 – 2000m, HCP

Rupture (4) is in great form and looks hard to beat, the weight being of some concern.  The danger is Schabau (11) undefeated in Australia (all at Flemington) but coming off an injury with a 14-month layoff.  Super Titus (5) chased Rupture (4) into 3^rd last start and meets him 3kg better.  The emergencies are both in it if they get a run.

 

Race 8 – 1400m, HCP

Suggesting that Iconoclasm (2) is ready to win after a couple of good runs, will appreciate a good track and being at Flemington.  Splitting Buffalo River and Harbour Views is very good form so Achernar Star (1) is the main threat.  Sirius Suspect (11) gets onto his favoured track with his preferred pilot, A Shin Rook (5) was just about top pick but for the barrier.

 

Race 9 – 1400m, 3YO HCP

With Beehunter (3) in the closer JD Sadler engaging D Oliver shows intent.  Broadwayandfourth (2) the danger, outside draw a worry but could be in favour if they are swooping late.  Rebel Racer (13) and Eluding (12) are dangers at longer odds.  Final Man (1) has the form but it might be flattered by rain affected, leader biased track.

 

Quaddie

Leg 1 – 2, 6, 7, 9, 12

Leg 2 – 4, 5, 11

Leg 3 – 1, 2, 5, 11

Leg 4 – 2, 3

 

Adelaide

With no TAB open I will miss my traditional cash bet on Farooq (R1, #1), respect for War Tiger (R1, #2).   J Allen mastered Morphettville last week and pilots Bellx (R5, #4) in the Fillies Classic after a good run in the VRC St Leger.   Sticking with the Vic raiders in the next and Oasis Girl (R6, #13) would be Navaisha (R6, #4) but for the draw.  And one more raider with Harbour Views (R7, #9). 

 

Race 8 – The Goodwood (G1, 1200m, SWP)

A field befitting the Group One status with good cases to be made for the top four.  Looking outside those and came up with Zoutori (5), great fresh record worth an Each Way ticket.  Others to consider on the same basis are The Inevitable (7) wide draw the issue while the fillies Lyre (11) and Xilong (12) are both in good form.

 

Selections – 5-2-3-7

 

And further field

 

Masked Crusader (SR4, #4) was super impressive last week against a bunch of plodders.  Tougher assignment this week but happy if he is my team.  Rainier (SR6, #3) is risk to pick two in a row but won well and likes Rosehill.  On an Each Way basis Prophet’s Thumb (SR9, #9) looks a good chance in an even affair.  A couple of interesting runners at the Gold Coast Quality Seeker (R2, #8) looks well in.  The in the last Krone (BR9, #8) resumes from a long break, has won a trial leading into this.  And we even go westward where Vega Magic (PR8, #2) resumes where it all began, I will be with The Wizard on Angelic Ruler (PR8, #10).

 

Good Luck,

 

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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