The following is a survey of Australian horse racing tips for Saturday, September 11. The focus is on the race cards at Flemington and Kembla Grange (relocated from Rosehill). The highlight of the day is the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (Race 8) at Flemington.
More tips will be added as they become available.
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Best bets
These often change when the article is updated on Friday.
Flemington Race 1: 1. Pondus, saving on 6. Coolth
Flemington Race 2: 1. Artorius
Flemington Race 3: Quinella: 2. Ingratiating & 3. Finance Tycoon
Flemington Race 4: 5. Crystal Bound saving on 11. Pretty Woman
Flemington Race 5: 2. Ayrton
Flemington Race 6: 1. Instant Celebrity
Kembla Grange Race 2: Mankayan
Kembla Grange Race 5: Tiger Of Malay
Kembla Grange Race 6: Entriviere
Kembla Grange Race 8: Anamoe
Kembla Grange Race 9: Count De Rupee
Flemington
Race 1: 1. Pondus
Race 3: 2. Ingratiating – BEST BET
Race 7: 2. Jonker
Race 8:
BEST BET: Aegon
EXOTIC: Quinella: 2,6,9,11,12,13
TOP 5:
1. Aegon
2. Tofane
3. Incentivise
4. Colette
5. Inspirational Girl
Quaddie: 1,5,8,14,15/2,9/2,6,9,11,12,13/2,4,6,8,9,14
Race 1:
PONDUS (1) Fresh after a break. Ran well when 2nd last time at Curragh and dropping weight today. Looks a winning hope. TOORADIN (3) Fought on gamely when winning last time at Caulfield. Shows good early pace. Serious player. COOLTH (6) Racing for the second time this week. Came on strongly when 2nd two runs back at Moonee Valley. Possesses very good finishing speed. Winning hope. KILLOURNEY (7) Came on strongly to finish 2nd last run at this track and finishes off strongly. Market watch advised.
Race 2:
ARTORIUS (1) Having second run back from a spell. Handy enough when winning three runs back at Caulfield. Possesses very good finishing speed. Going the right way and will give the others something to chase today. LIGHTSABER (2) Third up. Came on strongly to finish 4th last run at Caulfield. Up to these. HILAL (7) Having second run back from a break. Made considerable ground when 2nd two runs back at Randwick. Interesting gear change of blinkers on first time. Meeting a good field and you can take on trust. HE’S XCEPTIONAL (3) Second up from a break. Brave effort to win last time at Moonee Valley and will be aiming for a soft run from the draw. Can make a claim in this race and is a strong each way hope.
Race 3:
INGRATIATING (2) Displayed potential when winning last run at Caulfield and possesses good finishing speed. Deserves respect. FINANCE TYCOON (3) Put a gap on the rest when winning last run at Caulfield and likely to race off the speed. Honest enough customer who is strongly placed. JIGSAW (4) Solid effort when winning three runs back at Caulfield. Should come to hand quickly. Leading chance. SHAQUERO (1) Fresh after a break. Game effort to win two runs back at Rosehill but rises in weight. Might be one for the placings.
Race 4:
CRYSTAL BOUND (5) First run back after break. Came in 2nd last start at Randwick but goes up in weight today. One of the better chances. DOSH (1) Resuming after a break. Got the upper hand late when winning last run at Caulfield. Worth a ticket. SERADESS (4) Resumes after a break. Had a comfortable win last start at Morphettville and can save some energy from the barrier. Worth a bet. ASHEMA (8) Nice run placing 2nd last start at Rosehill but racing fresh today after a break. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Could go well.
Race 5:
AYRTON (2) Second up from a spell. Got the upper hand late when winning last time at Caulfield. Top chance. CHERRY TORTONI (5) Won easily last start at Morphettville and finishes off strongly. Keep an eye on the market. REGARDSMAREE (7) Could build on a strong third up record. Set a strong tempo when 3rd last run at Caulfield and should race just behind the speed. Solid each way claims. CROSSHAVEN (1) Goes well second up. Charged home into 3rd three runs back at Caulfield and ideal trip as proven previously. Consider an each way bet.
Race 6:
INSTANT CELEBRITY (1) Having second run back from a spell. Good win three runs back at Morphettville. Might take a while to wind up but should be hitting top gear in the straight. One of the major players. TURAATH (14) Game effort to win last time at Caulfield but racing in stronger company. Shows good early pace. Well placed and has solid claims. STILL A STAR (5) First up specialist. Handy enough when winning last time at Caulfield but rising in weight. Strong each way hope. ANNAVISTO (10) Winner three runs back at Caulfield and second up from a spell. Should muster plenty of early speed. In the mix.
Race 7:
JONKER (2) Was all too good winning three runs back at Gold Coast but first up after a break. Has early speed and positions nicely. Open to improvement and has a show in this field. THE ASTROLOGIST (5) Scored a victory last time here and expecting to settle positively. Very competitive this preparation. Worth consideration. AWAY GAME (9) Game effort to win two runs back at Eagle Farm and will appreciate the drop in weight. Better claims. ZOUTORI (1) Won narrowly three runs back around here and likely to race off the speed. Should be right in the finish.
Race 8:
TOFANE (12) Got the cash when winning two runs back at Eagle Farm and gets a nice run behind the speed. Good chance and wouldn’t be surprised to see it pick up a win. INCENTIVISE (6) Won by a huge margin last run at Eagle Farm and should come to hand quickly. Good chance and wouldn’t be surprised to see it pick up a win. MO’UNGA (10) Having second run back from a spell. Fought on gamely when winning last time at Randwick and finishes off strongly. Deserves consideration. INSPIRATIONAL GIRL (13) Goes well second up with 3 wins from 3 runs. Got the prize when winning three runs back at Ascot and possesses good closing speed. Winning chance in this line up.
Race 9:
SKY MAN (14) Goes well second up with 2 wins from 4 attempts. Game effort to win two runs back at Caulfield and gets the perfect barrier. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Prominent showing expected and won’t be far off them. SECRET BLAZE (10) Came on strongly when 5th last time at Caulfield. Possesses very good closing speed. Can feature. ZIEGFELD (8) Was competitive when 2nd last run at Caulfield and should muster plenty of early toe. Trainer has gone for the winkers on, take note. Can take this out. FLOATING ARTIST (17) Having third run back from a break. Got the upper hand late when winning last time at Moonee Valley and suited by the weight drop. Modest chance for multis.
Race 1: Pondus
Race 2: Hilal
Race 3: Finance Tycoon
Race 4: Pretty Woman each-way
Race 5: Crosshaven each-way
Race 6: Instant Celebrity
Race 7: Jonker and Splintex
Race 8: Mo’unga
Race 9: Ziegfeld
Race 1: 6. Coolth
Race 2: 1. Artorius to win plus Quinella with 2. Lightsaber
Race 3: 2. Ingratiating
Race 4: 5. Crystal Bound, saving on 10. All About Eve
Race 5: 2. Ayrton
Race 6: 1. Instant Celebrity
Race 7: 2. Jonker, 4. Splintex
Race 8: 6. Incentivise, 12. Tofane, 10. Mo’unga, 11. Colette
Race 9: 10. Secret Blaze, 14. Skyman
Race 1: 1. Pondus
Race 2: 9. Vilana, 1. Artorius
Race 3: 3. Finance Tycoon, 2. Ingratiating
Race 4: 5. Crystal Bound, 11. Pretty Woman
Race 5: 2. Ayrton, 5. Cherry Tortoni, 7. Regardsmaree
Race 6: 15. Impecunious
Race 7: 4. Splintex
Race 8: 7. Explosive Jack
Race 9: 6. Young Werther, 15. Zayydani
Race 1:
6. Coolth, 1. Pondus, 3. Tooradin, 7. Killourney
Race 2:
1. Artorius, 2. Lightsaber, 7. Hilal, 9. Vilana
Race 3:
2. Ingratiating, 3. Finance Tycoon, 1. Shaquero, 4. Jigsaw
Race 4:
5. Crystal Bound, 4. Seradess, 1. Dosh, 10. All About Eve
Race 5:
2. Ayrton, 5. Cherry Tortoni, 1. Crosshaven, 7. Regardsmaree
Race 6:
1. Instant Celebrity, 14. Turaath, 8. Zou Dancer, 5. Still A Star
Race 7:
1. Zoutori, 2. Jonker, 15. Front Page, 5. The Astrologist
Race 8:
10. Mo’unga, 3. Keiai Nautique, 6. Incentivise, 13. Inspirational Girl
Race 9:
10. Secret Blaze, 14. Skyman, 9. Furrion, 3. Warning
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
NOTE: Rail is back true. Was 10m here August 7 and whilst it was no big swoopers’ day, thought the track played well. PONDUS resumes and has to give them all plenty of weight but his rating tells you it is justified and he was very good in two runs in Australia last spring. ONE MORE TRY ran a great race here last time at her first go 2500m. KILLOURNEY beat her home there. TOORADIN was so brave at Caulfield and that was his first go at 2400m. That ties in PRINCE ZIGGY and KINGS FULL, who was luckless. COOLTH gets away from the tight Valley track and has always looked a 2500m horse.
Selections: 6. Coolth (Top Tip), 2. One More Try, 1. Pondus, 3. Tooradin
Race 2:
SPEED: 2, 4, 9, 10 go forward. ARTORIUS was run off his feet a touch fresh in a fast-run 1200m race before being forced wide and producing the sort of finale reserved for very good ones! To Flemington and 1400m looks ideal. LIGHTSABER was not far off him and loved his last 100m there, he sits closer and also wants 1400m. HE’S XCEPTIONAL trialled well before good return win chasing strong speed. HILAL was just fair behind him but maybe the fast-run 1200m race around The Valley was against him, he gets another go. DAILY BUGLE ran by him and has Lightsaber form from 2YO days. VILANA, FRONTMAN hopes.
Selections: 1. Artorius (Top Tip), 2. Lightsaber, 7. Hilal, 3. He’s Xceptional
Race 3:
INGRATIATING made a terrific return storming over them to win and running a 33.76 last 600m (day’s fastest). He won 2nd-up this track/trip last prep with 59kg then beat home FINANCE TYCOOON in a Blue Diamond. Finance Tycoon has jumped out very nicely for his return though and did win in very fast time at the end of last prep. SHAQUERO also resumes, he too trialled well and did beat Ingratiating in a Pago Pago Stakes in Sydney and has run Finance Tycoon to 0.2L in the past. JIGSAW’s form easily ties in.
Selections: 2. Ingratiating (Top Tip), 3. Finance Tycoon, 1. Shaquero, 4. Jigsaw
Race 4:
ASHEMA trialled well enough (without raving) in Sydney. SERADESS has looked spectacular in two wins in first prep and won recent jumpout well. CRYSTAL BOUND blitzed her rivals on debut in slick time then beat all-bar Jamaea in a Percy Sykes, that form looks great now! She has jumped out well. ALL ABOUT EVE trialled nicely and probably should be unbeaten, she took a good scalp on debut! DOSH is unbeaten and won (fast) jumpout! FLYING EVELYN with gear change onto drier has a case. PRETTY WOMAN beat GLISTENING and Bruckner at start two, the latter then beat Artorius.
Selections: 5. Crystal Bound (Top Tip), 10. All About Eve, 8. Ashema, 4. Seradess
Race 5:
SPEED: 4 may lead from 1 with 2, 7 handy. AYRTON is a star! Love the way he joined in fresh at Caulfield before running home 11.08/11.12 his final 200m splits (faster than anything in G1 Memsie, and he ran very similar overall time). KING MAGNUS is flying and made him work to win but they cannot claim this time. REGARDSMAREE battled well behind them second up. With 2.5kg on Ayrton and perhaps ridden bit differently (cover?) I fancy he is a danger! CROSSHAVEN ran well in G1 Orr Stakes at 1400m in Feb. CHERRY TORTONI will be rushing home. KHOEKHOE and BUTTER CHICKEN (nice trial) have same form.
Selections: 2. Ayrton (Top Tip), 7. Regardsmaree, 1. Crosshaven, 8. King Magnus
Race 6:
SPEED: 14 leads 8 with 5 handy? 9, 11, 10 draw out/go forward? INSTANT CELEBRITY was closing in on star mare Probabeel fresh and is unbeaten second up. She won G1 Sangster second up in May then ran on very well in G1 Goodwood against boys. TURAATH absorbed serious pressure latest yet won and for second start in a row ran fast time! ANNAVISTO closed in on her late, fitter and 2.5kg swing helps. Fourth was Gilgani, who had Chassis form. Chassis beat home Instant Celebrity at Caulfield. Wary MYSTIC JOURNEY. STILL A STAR has Mr Quickie form. ZOU DANCER the overs? 3, 11, 17 all trialled super!
Selections: 1. Instant Celebrity (Top Tip), 14. Turaath, 10. Annavisto, 8. Zou Dancer
Race 7:
Looks a genuine speed. JONKER resumes and looked terrific in trial with superstar Rothfire. He runs time! First go straight? SPLINTEX gave a sight fresh with weight off back of a great trial himself, he wasn’t far off Jonker when they clashed in Sydney and had race shape against him that day. Do think they should be much closer together in early markets! ZOUTORI is a gun straight-track horse and can fly fresh, he’s earnt the 59.5kg. THE ASTROLOGIST is a bulldog! TOO GOOD TOO HARD ran on well behind him Vs race shape in Aurie’s Star. AWAY GAME can win. ROHERYN has Jonker form, flies fresh!
Selections: 2. Jonker (Top Tip), 4. Splintex, 6. Roheryn, 9. Away Game
Race 8:
There is no natural leader here! INCENTIVISE is doing some extraordinary things, namely winning by big margins in fast time(s), and he just might be something special. This his first go at WFA and will be better suited further. MO’UNGA ran down the queen (Verry Elleegant) fresh in a great return and should have won Randwick Guineas second up in March. TOFANE tries 1600m for first time but the way she closed off in Memsie I’m not risking! COLETTE was race-fastest home there. Sits closer? Any rain? INSPIRATIONAL GIRL is unbeaten second up and at 1600m. AEGON ran by her in Memsie. KEIAI NAUTIQUE flew home fresh.
Selections: 6. Incentivise (Top Tip), 12. Tofane, 10. Mo’unga, 11. Colette
Race 9:
SPEED: 18,8 with 1,17 and maybe 10? KING OF LEOGRANCE is good fresh. PERSAN (now gelded) won well fresh last prep. DEFIBRILLATE did enough fresh and is unbeaten 2nd-up. Trip suits YOUNG WERTHER fresh. ZIEGFELD gave his all last time. FURRION is 8-weeks off but can win. SECRET BLAZE kept closing latest, yes 1700m, gate? SKYMAN made a top return in worst going and has great 2nd-up form. LONG ARM and KINANE go in also.
Selections: 10. Secret Blaze (Top Tip), 14. Skyman, 8. Ziegfeld, 6. Young Werther
Unibet – From the Traders’ Desk:
Race 2 #1 Artorius (1.70) – BEST BET
Race 8 #9 Aegon (9.50)
Race 1:
10. Kings Full, 1. Pondus, 6. Coolth, 3. Tooradin
Race 2:
1. Artorius, 3. He’s Xceptional, 2. Lightsaber, 5. Daily Bugle
Race 3:
3. Finance Tycoon, 2. Ingratiating, 4. Jigsaw, 1. Shaquero
Race 4:
5. Crystal Bound, 11. Pretty Woman, 3. Tycoon Humma, 4. Seradess
Race 5:
2. Ayrton, 1. Crosshaven, 3. Harbour Views, 8. King Magnus
Race 6:
17. Butter Chicken, 1. Instant Celebrity, 13. Bonvicini, 2. Mystic Journey
Race 7:
1. Zoutori, 2. Jonker, 3. Lunar Fox, 5. The Astrologist
Race 8:
3. Keiai Nautique, 6. Incentivise, 13. Inspirational Girl, 9. Aegon
Race 9:
6. Young Werther, 10. Secret Blaze, 14. Skyman, 11. Sherwood Forest
Kembla Grange
Race 8: Anamoe (2.30) (win)
Race 1:
PHILIPSBURG (6) Third up from a break. Solid effort when winning three runs back at Muswellbrook. This field suits. COMMANDO HUNT (4) Was fighting out the finish when winning two runs back at the track and should get going late. Warrants a bet. SO SAY YOU (11) Fought on gamely when winning two runs back at Rosehill and carrying less weight this time. Likely to race off the speed. One in a race with many chances. RARI (1) Did a good job when winning two runs back at Doomben but hoping that the added weight won’t hurt. Looks to be the value.
Race 2:
MANKAYAN (1) Having third run back from a spell. Produced an eye catching run when 3rd last time at this track. Has genuine claims in this race. TORRENS (4) Won by a huge margin last run at Randwick. Strong claims. OFF SHAW (2) Fought on gamely when winning three runs back at Randwick and drawn nicely. Should race on the speed. Winning chance in this line up. ACCOUNTABILITY (7) Won last time at Randwick but racing in stronger company. Market may be ultimate guide.
Race 3:
CRYSTAL PEGASUS (4) Landed the spoils when winning last start at this course but going up in weight. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Winnable race. YIYI (9) Chimed in with a win three runs back at Rosehill but going up in trip. Can give this a shake. OUR INTRIGUE (3) Really dug deep when winning last run here but bit of extra work to do with more weight today. Will be competitive. BAZOOKA (11) Fought on well to win last start at Hawkesbury and carrying less weight this time. Been in the money 5 from 6 attempts this preparation. Possesses very good finishing speed. Exotics hope in this event.
Race 4:
COBIA (6) Game effort to win two runs back at this course and goes down in weight. Can win this. EXCELTIC (2) Finished on top three runs back at Randwick. Displays very good finishing speed. Can feature. OXFORD TYCOON (1) Third up. Dashed home into 2nd last time around here. Should take beating. NOBLE SOLDIER (8) Solid effort when winning last run at Randwick and can save some energy from the draw. Should race just behind the speed. Has claims.
Race 5:
TIGER OF MALAY (1) Having second run back from a spell. Really dug deep when winning last start at the track and gets some weight taken off today. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Rates well in this race. SILENT IMPACT (7) Solid effort when winning last start at Rosehill and let up. Hasn’t put a foot wrong this campaign with 2 wins from 2 starts. Strong hope. GIANNIS (4) Had a break from racing and returns to competition. Rocketed home into 2nd last time at Eagle Farm and possesses very good closing speed. Trifectas chance. ROYALZEL (3) Fought on well to win last run around here but up against stronger competition today. Going well this preparation winning 4 from 6 starts. Meeting a good field and you can take on trust.
Race 6:
ENTRIVIERE (4) Scored a victory two runs back at Ellerslie but resuming after a break. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the leaders. Will go well. WRITTEN BEAUTY (8) Finished strongly when 5th last run at Randwick and will be hitting the line strongly. Winning hope. FITUESE (5) Having second run back from a spell. Got the upper hand late when winning last run at Randwick. Must respect in this event. TAILLEUR (6) Second up. Was fighting out the finish when winning three runs back at Randwick and hard to fault at the distance. No shock to see a win.
Race 7:
BIG PARADE (10) Races well second up winning 2 from 4 starts. Thrashed the field when winning last run at the track and expecting to settle positively. One of the major players. PRIVATE EYE (6) Generally strong second up. Won narrowly last time at Randwick. Looks a worthwhile proposition today. ICEBATH (2) Having second run back from a break. Ran on strongly when 3rd last run at Randwick and finishes off strongly. Betting may be best guide to the chances and each way is the likely play. MADAM ROUGE (4) Did well to run 3rd two runs back at Eagle Farm but prefers to settle towards the tail. Market watch advised.
Race 8:
ANAMOE (2) Solid win last time at Randwick and possesses very good closing speed. Rates well and should be taken seriously. CONVERGE (4) Was very impressive when winning last start at Eagle Farm and finishes off strongly. Well placed and has solid claims. REMARQUE (8) Second up from a spell. Got the cash when winning three runs back at Rosehill but facing a stronger class. This field suits. STAY INSIDE (1) Having second run back from a spell. Showed promise when winning two runs back at Rosehill but rising in grade. Should enjoy a cosy run off the pace. Strong each way bet.
Race 9:
COUNT DE RUPEE (8) Handy enough when winning three runs back at Rosehill but fresh after a break. Drawn to sit just in behind the speed. Looks a worthwhile proposition today. EMANATE (4) Proven record second up. Outgunned at the finish when 3rd three runs back at Randwick but bit of extra work to do with more weight today. Genuine winning chance. VENTURA OCEAN (6) Got the upper hand late when winning two runs back at Eagle Farm and let up. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Can give this a shake. HULK (9) Dashed home into 2nd last time at this track and carrying less weight this time. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Chance for exotics punters.
Race 10:
KINGSHEIR (6) Having third run back from a break. Bold effort to win two runs back at Randwick and can save some energy from the gate. No surprise to see a win. BROOKSPIRE (9) Having second run back from a break. Won with a leg in the air last run at Randwick but facing a stronger grade. Will go well. LOVEPLANET (7) Finished 2nd last time at Randwick. Should muster plenty of early toe. Suited. LOVE TAP (4) Slipped back to finish 10th last start at Randwick but blinkers go on for the first time. Should be competitive in this race at a bit of odds.
Race 1: Commando Hunt
Race 2: Mankayan
Race 3: Crystal Pegasus
Race 4: Barossa Rosa
Race 5: Tiger Of Malay
Race 6: Entriviere
Race 7: Big Parade
Race 8: Anamoe
Race 9: Count De Rupee
Race 10: Brookespire
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
Welcome to the third instalment of ‘Rosehill at Kembla Grange’ stakes racing. Rail out 5 metres from the 1100m to the finish, 2 metres otherwise. Dry conditions on offer, with mid 20s temps expected on raceday. We begin with the Highway and despite the usual capacity numbers there’s no great depth of speed to this. 9, 10, 17 had a quick look at their barriers and immediately said ‘yeah I’m out’. Perhaps 1 and 13 can cross up from way out wide? 15 could box-seat pretty easily. COMMANDO HUNT back out to 1400/pozzies well. Likewise PRINCESS DE ROCA. WICHITA WARRIOR lifts with blinkers? BLAAZAY has to transfer the home track form away. MATHRIN flying but rises to 1400m/could be used early?
Selections: 4. Commando Hunt (Top Tip), 15. Princess De Roca, 12. Haven, 2. Wichita Warrior
Race 2:
OFF SHAW extends to 2400m and is the obvious leader. Trailing handy you could see 3, 11 and 8. Exactly where MANKAYAN can settle from barrier 2 is perhaps the big question of the race. He has jumped from double figure draws in both runs out here and naturally restrained now maybe he can be ‘within cooee’ as they straighten. Lengthening to 2400m also looks a strong positive. Presume he’s a warm fave despite the 60 kilos. ACCOUNTABILITY up from a midweek win but with McDonald staying on. OFF SHAW doesn’t claim today so meets the toppie 3 kilos worse off for a fast-diminishing 1.1L margin. He’s ticking along well though and maybe 2400 is not beyond him??
Selections: 1. Mankayan (Top Tip), 7. Accountability, 2. Off Shaw, 5. Master Shuhood
Race 3:
COGNAC led too keenly last time but some gear changes are applied and he could try again with the same approach. 9 a chance to cross close-up while 13 (dual acceptor) and 1 can also be handy. PESTO did more than enough on resumption, rises to a trip that should suit better and closed out a 1000m trial last week really nicely. Looks poised does the import. OUR INTRIGUE gave J Mac followers a real thrill at big odds here two weeks back. She’s up 2.5 kilos now and draws widest. Stablemate CRYSTAL PEGASUS also a recent winner at this track/trip. Waller also with YIYI (new to 2000 but racing well/sits handy) and TOOMUCHTOBEAR (disappointed last time/2000m better??).
Selections: 1. Pesto (Top Tip), 4. Crystal Pegasus, 8. Stuck With You, 9. Yiyi
Race 4:
5, 3, 6, 9 the on-pace group here. BAROSSA ROSA has trialled well recently and has options to either lead this or sit handy. She was 2nd to Victorem in an August 30 trial and she won another 1000m hitout at Wyong earlier this week. Boasts a 2nd to Great News from last prep and should offer a solid fresh performance here. COBIA sees all the favours in running and his poorest runs to date have been on Heavy which he certainly won’t have today. McDonald booked + recent fitness = will be well in the market. LOVEMETENDER could run OK back to this level but the gates is potentially tricky.
Selections: 5. Barossa Rosa (Top Tip), 6. Cobia, 2. Exceltic, 1. Oxford Tycoon
Race 5:
The Waterhouse/Bott pair – 7 and 6 – head up front. 11 and 5 to stalk handy. TIGER OF MALAY draws deep but might be able to find a position around midfield and from there can build into his finish. He’s been back (last week) to trial well, importantly with McDonald aboard. GIANNIS is the first-upper of the group and has a 1200m option later on. Yet to win but is classy and has won two recent trials. If he’s here I’ll be respecting. Plenty of others with claims though. HINGED heads south with a habit of winning. ALEGRON was terrific on return. Beaten 4L by SILENT IMPACT in a subsequent trial. MILITARY EXPERT progressive. ROYALZEL flying. Who do you rule out totally??
Selections: 1. Tiger Of Malay (Top Tip), 7. Silent Impact, 4. Giannis, 10. Alegron
Race 6:
The lead looks left to VULPINE and VANGELIC although EVERY ROSE can adopt the role on her day. Should be a genuine enough 1200m. It’s a nice bunch of mares, almost all of them either 1st- or 2nd-up. Happy to but in to ENTRIVIERE after a rock-solid trial win for McDonald at Randwick on September 2. From a stable who know how to win consistently at the high level out here, her only defeats have been when settling well back from wide draws. She won’t do that here and I expect her to enhance her record. TAILLEUR’s only miss was in a G1 and she has a run under her belt. Meets FITUESE 2 kilos better off this time.
Selections: 4. Entriviere (Top Tip), 6. Tailleur, 5. Fituese, 1. Forbidden Love
Race 7:
10 can bounce and run from his low draw. 9 (crossing up), 11 and 12 all on-speed as well. There’s an awful lot to think about here. EMBRACER is a dry tracker essentially and has conditions to suit and a little weight pull (1.5kg) over PRIVATE EYE from their Randwick clash 3 weeks back. ICEBATH also out of that race and I really admire this mare and how consistent she is. Even on dry she is proving herself a high level mare but if she strikes a really wet surface at anytime during the spring she can be something to beat. BIG PARADE was dominant on return but there is a greater depth of quality in this obviously. Not knocking as such.
Selections: 11. Embracer (Top Tip), 6. Private Eye, 2. Icebath, 10. Big Parade
Race 8:
7 to lead 6 I think. There aren’t too many others that adopt an on-pace approach (at least not to this point). ANAMOE has a history of drawing wide and such was the case in his September 2 trial as well. Maybe he can be stalking handy here? REMARQUE has been back to have a huge trial win but this draw could have him wider than he wants to be. I just wonder whether he will try to slot in not too far off the front? There’s a possibility of that happening and if it does I think he becomes hard to beat. IN THE CONGO the likely leader and there is more certainty attached to this approach. Looks happily at this level too, clearly. No give in the track today but can still win.
Selections: 2. Anamoe (Top Tip), 7. In The Congo, 8. Remarque, 4. Converge
Race 9:
Hmmm. ZOUSHACK in a new stable but has shown speed on his day and this lead is up for grabs. Two recent trials he’s had and in the latest he wasn’t far from the front – just underneath Eduardo – so he could be the one. 3 and 4 handy, maybe 6 too? COUNT DE RUPEE no recent trial. Back at a higher level this time but proven fresh/lightly weighted. ZAKAT here for his third Kembla run of the prep. Doesn’t win enough, let’s be honest. VENTURA OCEAN started Australian life well in QLD (not terribly strong races) but wasn’t beaten far at this level on 24/7. 7 weeks since/trialled OK recently. MAZU back from stakes racing.
Selections: 8. Count De Rupee (Top Tip), 7. Zakat, 6. Ventura Ocean, 11. Mazu
Race 10:
11, 16, 17 dual acceptors. Fancy ACADEMY crosses over to lead. 7 to just land close. 16 handy if here and 12 could slot in as well. Waller with five but a couple of them are dual acceptors. LOVEPLANET has been favourite each start and drawn to see every chance for McDonald here is bound to be well liked again. KINGSHEIR similarly consistent but may need a lot of luck from the inside gate, depending on his getaway. HINGED had a stakes option earlier but is weighted well for her toughest test yet and draws a treat. ACADEMY could kick on even with 60+ kilos. Not ruling him out at all.
Selections: 7. Loveplanet (Top Tip), 6. Kingsheir, 16. Hinged (SCRATCHED), 1. Academy
Unibet – From the Traders’ Desk:
Race 7 #10 Big Parade (3.10) – LAY BET
Race 4: 1. Oxford Tycoon
Race 7: 6. Private Eye
Race 8: 4. Converge
Quaddie: 6/2,4/4,7,8,11/1,4,6,7,9