Saturday 20th April 2024
Two TGIF winners!
Our early two tips didn’t show much, so we stacked the other three into a Trixie, which got off to a bad start with $1.30 hotpot Drift Net in command for most of the way and dying in the last 200m.
However, our other two obliged to give us a decent return, Scenic Rim heavily supported on his fav track getting up to win at $2.90, and Makbeel, ridden back as usual, coming home with a superbly timed run to get up at $8.90, plus a nice little share in the trifecta!
Big day of racing, with meetings here at Ellerslie and Riccarton, plus the feature in Western Aussie racing today with the Quokka, with huge Kiwi interest in Waitak.
A massive 35 from the book, let’s dive in, NZ first, Aussie to follow…
NZ today…
NOT GUILTY
Ellerslie, 1
Close sixth here in a G3 seven weeks ago, ran second in a trial to tune up for this, drops in grade and a decent EW chance in this at $6.
BET: 4 units ew
POLYGON
Ellerslie, 5
Weatherley also on this mare, and also back in grade. Backmarker up to 2100m, EW shot at $10.
BET: 4 units ew
BRANCASTER BOMBER, SASSMAN
Riccarton, 5
These two face up again after 16 days, BB with a brave effort only to get run down late. Tina sticks, rates again at $8. Sassman wasn’t that far back on resuming in that race and rates again at $11.
BET: Can back both 3 units ew
MILLEFIORI, LORD DARCI
Riccarton, 6
Millefiori not having much luck recently, tends to get pocketed and needs some open space, so the draw won’t suit. Jockey is 4:1-2 onboard, the 14000m suits and she’ll enjoy the wet conditions, EW at $9 if she can find air… LD not really doing enough, $13 shot.
BET: M 3 units ew, LD 2 units ew
ROYAL WINGS
Riccarton, 7
Made a winning return for us in late Dec after 649 days out, we got $61 for her! Ran second at Wingatui six weeks ago at $7.30 the place before running down the track twice. Soft conditions should suit, winning jockey sticks and she’s still a chance as the $26 outsider in this…
BET: 3 units ew
CAPO DELL IMPERO
Riccarton, 9
Very honest type who’s rarely far off, though well beaten on the heavy at Riverton 21 days ago. Super T&D stats for this, jockey was won four times onboard, should be dropping in late, $10 shot.
BET: 4 units ew
Best of Aussie
MANKAYAN
Mornington, 4
Very consistent, dropping back from G3 and back to the 2000m where he’s 9:1-7. Gets Ms Gaudray well capable of featuring in this at $6.50.
BET: 5 units ew
PUKETIRO
Mornington, 5
Kiwi mare with five wins from eight starts, went in the book with a huge finish from the back at Tauranga under Opie. Next two up in grade were OK before spelling, then resumed again under Opie 21 days ago at Ellerslie and getting up for us. Debuts in Aus here under Coffey and can make a good first impression as a $15 shot…
BET: 4 units ew
RUDHYAR, TURBEAU
Mornington, 7
This is a case who can beat this favourite, who’s going for a five-timer and seems bound for bigger things. Our two are around the $30 mark, with Rudhyar resuming from 591 days in the paddock. Previous from was sound, possesses a good finish, but it’s all about how ready he is.
Turbeau’s been trucking along in lower grades and while he too can produce a late finish, and this is his first go at 2000m, it may just be a bit tough for him.
BET: Both 2 units ew, place-fillers with the fav will spice up exotics…
GREGOLIMO
Mornington, 10
Former French galloper spotted in debut at Flem back in September, flew home for second and marked. Has run three close placing since, and resumes from a 147 day spell. Good first-up stats, might prefer a bit further, but if they sit home somewhere near, he can sprint home over the top of them. $5.50 on offer.
BET: 5 units ew
MIRAVAL ROSE, KRISTILLI
Randwick, 3
These two meet again, running seventh and sixth 14 days ago here. The heavy ground probably killed MR, did nothing on the day and she’ll be far better suited on today’s going, and rates a very strong chance in a close betting race at $4.60. Kristilli has been thereabouts, the going won’t bother her, chance again at $10.
BET: MR 5 units ew, K 3 units ew
FAWKNER PARK, YONCE, GOLDMAN
Randwick, 6
FP strolled in at Albury a month back as expected, Schiller sticks, doesn’t want it too soft but he looks a cert to finish in the frame as $4.40 second fav.
Yonce was not disgraced in the Coolmore, running tenth but less than 4 lengths from the winner, and previous form is superb. Has won at G3 and he’s my sleeper for today at $11…
Goldman resumes after 182 days, good stats but needs to find early career form, $9.50 on offer.
BET: FP and Y 5 units ew, G 3 units ew, exotics
WHINCHAT, JIMMYSSTAR, COIN TOSS
Randwick, 9
JSS failed last two after five wins, needs to bounce back as $3.20 fav, JMac can help, though Whinchat is a huge threat after beating him last time out.
Coin Toss’s win two back was full of merit but he faded late over the 1500m 21 days ago, has a chance on that Canberra win, back in grade, $19 on offer.
BET: W and JSS 5 units ew, CT 3 units ew, exotics
LUNAR HERO
Morphettville, 1
Mixes ‘em up a bit but capable of finishing in the frame as a $6.50 shot.
BET: 3 units ew
FOXY FEMME
Morphettville, 5
Noted winning on debut at Gawler 16 months ago and hasn’t missed the top five in eight career runs. Resumed from a 165 day spell, 17 days ago, and Dom Tourneur rode him for third, finishing fast late, he’s 6:0-6 onboard. The 1000m will suit, $5.50 on offer.
BET: 5 units ew
REGAL LION
Eagle Farm, 2
The second a month ago to Fawkner Park stands him in good stead, though previous form was patchy to say the least… Nothing of than class in this field, so EW at $4 for him.
BET: 3 units ew
TALK TIME
Eagle Farm, 3
Far too good at Ipswich 19 days ago where he gave them a bath. Mallyon sticks, set to repeat at $3.60.
BET: 5 units ew
STAR OF CHAOS, ANG POW
Eagle Farm, 6
SOC ran a solid second when second-up 14 days ago, Jimmy Orman sticks, love her chances at $6.00. AP struggling to recapture early career form, but not out of this at $9.50.
BET: SOC 5 units ew, AP 3 units ew
ENTERPRISE POMME
Eagle Farm, 8
Three runs this prep have merit, moving towards a win. Loves this track and looks value at $19…
BET: 3 units ew
INVINCIBLE SPY, KATTEGAT
Kembla Grange, 7
IS impressive winning first two, no disgrace next out in a G3 before heading to the paddock. Resumes from a 154 day spell, $3.60 second fav, back to 1200m but has trialled twice for this and can lead all the way.
Kattegat all the way winner for us 15 days ago, drops in grade and isn’t out of this at $15.
BET: IS 10 unit win, K 3 units ew, exotics
WAITAK, SALOON BAR
Ascot, 8
Plenty of chances in the Quokka, with Kiwi Waitak resuming as a $41 shot. Form in NZ last prep was excellent, winning the Railway and has won a trail prepping for this.
Saloon Bar was a good thing beaten when trapped here in November and duly won next time out. Two runs this prep have been today at odds, $101 outsider here, big task.
BET: W 3 units ew, SB 2 units ew, could fill places in exotics
Rest of Aussie
BIFROST
Mornington, 3
FORTIFIED
Gold Coast, 4
TARA JASMINE
Dalby, 9
FANTASY EAGLE
Alice Springs, 5
