Almanac Racing: Where to look?

Punters can look forward to quality racing from all parts of the country this Saturday, as Hawkesbury, Morphettville and Eagle Farm host black-type meetings.

 

Closer to home, a nine race card at Caulfield throws up some fascinating fields with a few notable runners.

 

For those looking to have a flutter, the fields at this stage look for the most part to be large and competitive, so there will be plenty of each-way prospects to reward your studying of the form.

 

The fifth race is the Redoute’s Choice Stakes, at Listed level for two year-olds, and will throw up the shortest favourite of the day, Doubt I’m Dreaming. Trained by John McArdle, it won its only start impressively at The Valley in March and will create more hype if it can record another win odds-on.

 

In races three and four, a couple of runners at big odds have caught my eye.

 

Floral Fever runs in the third race for Symon Wilde and Andrew Mallyon, earning its first trip to town after winning five of his last nine. He went up at around $41, which is tempting considering that it’s proven in damp conditions. Pearl Congenial will contest the fourth race for Robert Smerdon and Mitch Aitken, going up at $61.

 

That’s obscene for a horse which performed well as a two year-old and beat Invincible Al in its first start after his third birthday. He raced wide last start and has been given time by a smart stable for this. Blinkers go on and that might do the trick.

 

If you’re taking a quaddie you’ll probably take a wide set of numbers in most legs. The first leg is awfully hard to pick, but the second leg could be the skinny one. Miss Vista is yet to miss a place in her five starts and it’s hard to go past her again. A threat at odds could be number 15, Saraswati, which was third to Miss Vista a year ago and gets in four kilos better off this weekend. Admittedly that was Saraswati’s most recent start due to arthritis issues in a knee, but it has supposedly jumped out well in readiness for this.

 

Race eight throws up two new additions to the Weir stable, both from Western Australia. Star Exhibit might be looking for longer than this race, resuming after winning the Perth Cup, and Heart Starter carries strong form from the west and is much better over the 1400. Perth galloper Malibu Style came to Caulfield and won a good last weekend, so this new Weir duo could be worth monitoring.

 

The last race tends to be a frustratingly level affair for punters, and this Saturday’s is no exception. American Fastnet Latina looks the best chance; unbeaten in all four Australian starts. This is another step up, but it has so far progressed without any qualms.

 

Hawkesbury’s flagship raceday is this Saturday, with the Hawk Crown, Hawkesbury Guineas and Hawkesbury Gold Cup all at Group 3 level. Artistry looks the one to beat in the Crown, but the other two features appear tougher to read. However, if it’s wet then do not discount Kiwi galloper Lincoln Blue, which will have Corey Brown aboard in the Guineas for its first Australian start.

 

The Morphettville meeting is well worth some discussion, with four black-type races signalling the start of Adelaide’s autumn carnival. My only comment is that Killarney Kid resumes for Darren Weir in the City of Adelaide Handicap, race six. It struck a staggering spell of form last year, winning seven of nine races. It likes more ground than it will get this weekend, but it’s definitely worth watching during this preparation.

 

I haven’t even mentioned the Group 2 race at Eagle Farm, which will be nestled among the abundance of quality racing to look forward to this Saturday.

 

Good luck if you’re having a bet, and don’t be afraid to share your tips!