Greetings All,
The Pies and Dons served up a treat on ANZAC with a result befitting the contest. However, for those whose lives must be dichotomous the call went up immediately for extra time to be brought in for a tied result so they can cope in their world. Brad Scott might have felt hollow, would have been much hollower if Jamie Elliott held that mark, mind you the one he held earlier was a beauty! We do not live in a world of black and white, win or lose, yes or no – there are shades of grey everywhere and the draw in footy is a great example. Let the draw live on!
And let the round live on.
Buttering Up (93%) vs Don’t be Hastie (7%)
Port gets to host their ANZAC game against the Saints with Zak Butters reaching his 100thgame. For the Saints and indications for the future sees another debutant in Angus Hastie. They are both on the rebound from losses last week, however Port do get their spearhead back, while Max King remains on the sidelines. That plus the home ground swings this one for Port.
Life of Riley (4%) vs No Flies on Me (96%)
Another debutante for the Roos with Rilet Hardeman to enter the fray against the Crows whose coach had an extra issue to deal with last apart from the Bombers pressure. They have their chance to get another win on the board in Hobart. They should expect plenty of heat from North who will be so disappointed with their effort last week. No doubt Clarko will address that, but just think Adelaide can be better for longer.
SDK (63%) vs TDK (37%)
It was over a year ago since Sam de Koning went up against his brother Tom. In fact, the Blues and Cats have not played each other twice in a season since 2014. With the vagaries (stupidity) of the fixture they meet again in eight weeks well before they have played every other team in the competition. This game is a great test for both, the Cats go without Tom Stewart but regain Cam Guthrie and are coming off a win in heavy conditions last week. The Blues have lengthy injury list but have built depth in their squad, that will be test against the only undefeated team in the competition. The Cripps-Walsh show put the Giants to the sword last week, they will present a big challenge for the Geelong midfield which is invigorated with the injection of youth. Cam Guthrie’s inclusion will certainly help there. For the Cats Jeremy Cameron is the wild card and how the Blues look after him could decide the match. He nearly won it single-handedly for Geelong in their previous encounter. The heart swings me to the Blues with the heavy legs from last week being a key factor against the Cats. (At least I hope so).
Gone Amiss (51%) vs Libbarated (49%)
Patrick Voss gets his call up for Freo as a result of Jye Amiss’ concussion, they also introduce Cooper Simpson. Longmuir has made some statements at the selection table, probably needs to have a look at his game style and plan. Somehow Freo need hit the scoreboard. They get to host the Dogs who addressed some of their issues and demons in the demolition of the Saints after a torrid week. Can they back it up? Having Libba returning helps but still without Jamarra. A great test for Bevo to have his team back up on a tough road trip and certainly give them chance, however like the inclusion of Frederick to the line-up and expect Freo to get home at home.
Goldies (96%) vs Westies (4%)
It’s the battle of the Coasters on the Golden one! An intriguing match-up unfortunately with a key ingredient missing in Harley Reid. West Coast resurgence is not simply on Harley though, they finally have a healthy list and have made the most of it. Gold Coast continued with their predictability going down to Sydney after some feisty moments in the second quarter. Back at home they should be able to hold sway.
The Light of Day (13%) vs G Wizz (87%)
The Swannies take to the G again. Would have thought getting the job done against the Pies there the concerns would be over but then dropped one to the Tigers. Interestingly while they have clashed with most of the other co-tenants regularly this is their first MCG encounter against the Hawks since 2018 when Ben Ronke went on a rampage with 7 goals. The other big in for this week did not play that game – great to have the great Buddy Franklin parading at halftime here. Then there is the other in as the Hawks welcome back Will Day. An impressive win over the Roos last week, a bigger test this week. Expect the Swans to have the talent right across the ground to win this one.
Track Time
A big announcement for Racing Victoria with Andrew Jones stepping down as CEO, is it the predecessor to Gil taking over the chairmanship? Meanwhile on the track circus heads to Adelaide with a couple Group Ones for the girls, the increase in prizemoney looks to have worked with strong fields and even JMac leaving Sydney for a couple rides.
Caulfield
Caulfield hosts a strong meeting locally. We got the opener with a shorty last week and might do the same again with Bews (R1, #3) coming 2nd up and getting 1.5kg relief with Celine Gaudray aboard. Tough to find a winner in the second at the right odd Rebadge (R2, #6) might be worth a ticket should be fitter 3rd up. Pounding (R3, #1) will carry the weight of punters money, it will be a short price but looks well weighted under the conditions. If you don’t like the shorts, then Chartres (R3. #4) also looks well in here. The next is a beauty for the fillies and mares, Matron Bullwinkel (R4, #9) has a great first up record but a few others in terrific form including the 4 and 5. Berkeley Square (R5, #4) has come up at very short odds for a horse that has not won for over 500 days. Prefer to be with Letsbefrankbaby (R5, #7) coming off a nice run at Bendigo and a big weight drop. Elphinstone (R6, #6) looks well-drawn here and beat the favourite at their last start.
We kick off the Quaddie with a sprint and happy to be with Rey Magnerio (R7, #4) and equally pleased with the engagement of J Mott. A couple of other to go in the first leg. Bold Bastille (R8, #8) is almost a one out job in the showdown, but wary of the Moody/Meech combination on Lincolnshire (R8, #10). Another short priced favourite in Hedged (R9, #1) has been running in better company than the rest. We close out with Jimmy the Bear (R10, #2) a question mark first up but has an outstanding record over this journey.
Quaddie
No 1 – Just in case!
Leg 1 – 1, 2, 4, 5
Leg 2 – 8, 10
Leg 3 – 1, 5
Leg 4 – 1, 2, 9, 15, 18
80 Combinations a $20 investment will return 25% of the dividend.
No 2 – Go the Shorts
Leg 1 – 1, 2, 4, 5
Leg 2 – 8
Leg 3 – 1
Leg 4 – 1, 2, 9, 15, 18
20 Combinations a $10 investment will return 50% of the dividend.
Morphettville
Race 7 – Australasian Oaks (G1, 2000m, 3YO Fillies SW)
Paddy Payne’s Wings of Song (2) plundered the Tassie features and looks to continue the picket fence here. A bit more depth here but in great form and happy to stick. She beat Quickster (10) who gets Blake Shinn on board but needs negotiate a tough draw. Any Waller/JMac combination requires respect so Concello (11) goes in closed well last start and Pulchritudeness (1) might be a beauty coming off a win in the NZ Oaks. Would prefer some juice in the track.
Selections – 2-11-10-1
Race 8 – Robert Sangster Stakes (G1, 1200m, Fillies and Mares WFA)
Sticking to the picket fence here with Estriella (12). She wins her races, wins her jump outs importantly M Zahra stays on board. The main danger coming from the same stable in I Am Me (2), she has a great strike rate and very good over the 1200. A couple of class sprinting mares and the best of Passive Aggressive (3) and Benedetta (4) are not without hope here.
Selections – 12-2-4-3
Friar Time
Mixed results last weekend with the Reserves and Women registering victories, while the Seniors could not recover from the poor start against Aquinas and Thirds overrun by the Jackas. A triple header at Friar Park with the Threes kicking off the dew against Masala while Seniors and Reserves take on Elsternwick for the first time in many a year. The Women head to Packer Park against Glen Eira.
Go Blues, Go Friars
Cheers, Sal
To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.
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.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – click HERE.
Leave a Comment