The action comes thick and fast around the country on Saturday. The form has been done and the team are ready to kick-start the massive day ahead.
Eagle Farm Race 7 Tip #3 Royal Hale $3.00
This son of Snitzel put in an outstanding run in the Weetwood last time.
He was well back and didn’t get the clearest of runs once straightening for home.
He defied all that went against him and ran on well to finish third.
Apache Chase is class horse and he got within 0.8 lengths of him so it really was a solid effort in a feature race.
Looking towards this weekend he has 2 wins and 2 seconds from 5 starts at the track. Furthermore, he has saluted 4 times over the distance.
Ryan Maloney can position him closer in the run from gate 4 and can use the long straight to overhaul them.
He looks well placed here and I expect him to be getting the money when all is said and done.
Caulfield Race 7 Tip #4 Chaillot $4.80
This lightly raced mare is one of the best of her sex racing.
She took her record to five wins from nine starts when she sprouted wings to grab Begood Toya Mother at Sandown Hillside over 1300m recording the fastest last 400m and 200m for the meeting.
From my assessed form I believe there is going to be good speed in this which will suit her.
She handles wet ground and can find the best running lane in the middle of the track by the later stages of the meeting.
The current price represents enormous value.
Eagle Farm Race 7 Tip #8 Georgie's Pride $ 2.50
Jim Byrne is riding in a purple patch winning at 35% in October.
He has a solid winning association with Desleigh Forster with a 22% strike rate and 6% ROI.
Georgie's Pride was excellent last start running 2nd beaten 1.55L.
She was first up for over 100 days and worked hard from barrier 8 to lead.
She jumped on terms but found herself wide early with 3 others inside her.
Byrne elected to kick up, recording a 10.31s split between the 1000m and 800m, letting her roll at a strong clip.
Her fitness gave out late, beaten by Say Haya who got the saloon run on coat-tails.
Back to Eagle Farm Saturday, where she is 5 from 8. The drop to 54kg is key to her chances, against the older colts and geldings.
Ascot Race 7 Tip #4 Stageman $4.00
Stageman returns after 2 years of heart break in WA feature sprints.
0.17 lengths off Celebrity Queen who is now a G1 winner, when he should have won. Then followed up by only being beaten 3 lengths off Elite Street in the Winterbottom when he never saw daylight.
Tactical Speed is his issue, hence the risk backing him. However, he was positioned handy in a recent trial and he was dominant in doing so.
My hopes rest on him settling handier here and moving forward.
Stageman has a good fresh record with 2 wins and 2 placings from 5 outings, including a first up win last prep.
This race contains speed with noted front runner Mervyn engaged who will run them along.
If Stageman can sit midfield within striking distance and get clear running he has proven he has the turn of foot to match it at our highest level.
This is Stageman's year, I am on at $11 for the Winterbottom and the assault starts today.
Bendigo Race 1 Tip #1 Kings Consort $ TBD
This colt by Ilovethiscity caught the eye in his first jump-out when making some ground in the straight at Flemington.
He did have some company, but they did put a gap on the other two runners.
The next jump-out he was ridden out but responded to this to beat home the recent winner of the Magic Millions debutant stakes in Kiki Express.
You would think this country two-year-old race should be slightly easier and I have high confidence this colt can kick off his campaign with a big win.