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.
Toowoomba Race 5 Tip #2 Whitewater $2.60
Located in the Darling Downs region, Toowoomba always puts on a great meeting this time of year.
I have decided to focus my attention on the Garden City Guineas, where the favourite looks mighty hard to beat.
This David Vandyke 3YO gave us a sneak preview to his chances last start, when motoring late to finish second behind the very smart Startantes.
He showed at the end of that clash that this 1625M trip will be more to his liking.
He ran past Bulloo, who he meets again here and that runner was scratched on Wednesday to be saved for this feature.
Bulloo’s connections must fancy her chances, which gives us an air of confidence that he can get the job done.
Jockey Ryan Maloney will look to sit midfield in the run and work him into some open space in the straight.
He'll have the superior finish and can score his second win from four career starts.
Sandown Hillside Race 5 Tip #6 Cherry Tortoni $3.50
Under-rated gelding who is going to love the wide-open spaces and long run in at Sandown Hillside.
He went down to his main rival in this, Harbour Views, in a photo first-up at Flemington.
On that occasion, Cherry Tortoni was trapped wide and tracked Ayrton throughout the race.
He managed to get past him but was bloused in the final stride. He meets Harbour Views 1.5kg better and from an inside draw, he’ll get a kinder run.
With Elephant making the pace, this looks tailor made for Cherry Tortoni
Rosehill Race 8 Tip #1 Anamoe $2.00
As James Cummings said during the week, the Golden Rose ”is a good horse’s race.”
There is no reason to doubt him either, as he knows better than most how to win it.
This year looks to be no different, with the class horse Anamoe carrying the weight of the grandstand.
Last run fresh up over the shorter than suitable 1200m, Anamoe got the job done.
He did it with arrogance as well coming off a setback, not fully fit, and very much cuddled by J Mac.
He beat a rock hard fit In The Congo in the process, who was coming off a last start win.
Despite the moderate tempo, the gun Godolphin colt came over the top of them to add further merit to the victory.
The longer 1400m chute at Rosehill on Saturday gives J Mac a chance to slot in with cover from barrier 8.
If he stays out of trouble, expect him to be winning for the blue army.
Belmont Race 2 Tip #1 Red Fifty Three $2.30
Was there ever a chance that Grant and Alana Williams would name a horse after Australian Basketball Royalty Damian Martin that wasn't a gun? I think not.
On debut, he was smashed in betting before getting the job done comfortably. He then drifted at his second career start, but jumped to the front and never looked like losing.
The 3YO gelding has been strong through the line at 1200m at both career starts and the step up to 1400m looks to suit this horse.
From barrier 1 here, expect Red Fifty Three to kick up and lead comfortably. In a race lacking any real tempo he should be able to lead and win.
If he happens to fall short, I'll be putting on a defensive display similar to Damian Martin locking up Casper Ware.
Goulburn Race 2 Tip #8 Sarsen $5.00
This colt looked good late in the first trial, making ground behind Cork Harbour.
At the next trial, he found himself towards the back of the field but he was behind Stay Inside and Giannis, who have good ability.
The third hit-out was average to the eye, but he was soon put out to the paddock which suggest there was an issue.
The most recent trial suggests suggests he's come back in good order, matching motors with Antonio Giovanni, who went to the races and ran second in a field I believe will measure up form wise.
One to follow with confidence.