Racing in South Australia returns to the Morphettville Parks circuit this Saturday.
The track is currently rated a Soft 5, however, the forecasted rain could see conditions worsen to a Soft 7 or even Heavy 8 by race day.
The rail is out 8 metres from the 1000m to the winning post, which often suits on-pace runners but still provides fair ground when wet.
With the majority of recent racing in SA run on Good tracks, Heath Pope is treading carefully and focusing on horses offering each-way value.
Those proven or expected to handle the sting out of the surface are in Pope's line of sight.
Here are his top plays for Saturday:
Heath Pope has locked in some exceptional each-way value at Morphettville.
Land his early prices for this week & subscribe to his tip package now!
This lightly raced four-year-old from the David Jolly yard showed promise during his first campaign and looks to have come back in great order.
He went straight into the blackbook off his eye-catching first-up run over 900m.
In that one, he settled back from a wide draw and rattled off the meeting’s fastest final sectionals to finish third.
Rises slightly in trip to 1000m, which looks ideal, and drops 2kg in weight.
With plenty of speed up front, he’ll get his chance to storm home late.
At the odds, he’s a great each-way play.
Rated Price: $5
Bet: Each-way
One of the most honest horses in work, Even Sharper keeps putting in without quite getting the rewards, with two narrow runner-up efforts leading into this.
He boasts a strong record at the Parks circuit (4 placings from 7 runs) and is a 1400m specialist.
He's finished in the quinella 6 out of 7 attempts at the trip, including both of his career wins.
Loves it wet, maps for the perfect trail just off the speed, and gets a couple of key gear changes.
In a race lacking depth, he looks very close to breaking through.
Rated Price: $3.50
Bet: Each-way
This underrated three-year-old was beaten just two lengths in the Listed Redelva Stakes behind subsequent Goodwood winner, Reserve Bank.
His last start Group 2 run was a forgive, and he now drops sharply in grade to BM66 company.
First-up, he beat the in-form Sir Now over this track and trip, and he now comes into this off a six-week freshen-up.
While untested on heavy ground, his breeding suggests he should handle it.
Drawn wide, but that could be no disadvantage in the conditions.
Rated Price: $5
Bet: Each-way
While she’s been costly for followers, Stratum Pride continues to run well without winning and looks ready to peak third-up.
She drops in grade here and finds a very winnable race, carrying just 53.5kg after contesting tougher races at her last two starts.
Has a terrific third-up and Parks circuit record, maps to settle in a lovely position, and steps out to a distance she’s crying out for.
Well overdue, but completely overlooked in early markets.
Rated Price: $10
Bet: Each-way
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