Saturday Best Bets - Feature Race Previews - NSW - SA - QLD 6/5/23

The spotlight gets shined on the Country's best provincial tracks this weekend with action at Gosford and the Sunshine Coast. This is on top of a brilliant meeting at Morphettville for the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes.

Mick Gannon and Luke Hovhanesian have run their eyes across the country, picking out their top plays for each respective race.

Sunshine Coast - Hollindale Stakes (1800m)

Mick Gannon Tip

It is hard to see a scenario where Zaaki gets beat, especially after his first-up run which showed he has returned in great order.

Now second up, he steps out to 1800m and is set to roll forward to find an uncontested lead. 

Looks like the class above.

Luke Hovhanesian Tip

Zaaki goes on top, but now at $1.70, there is very little meat on the bone.

I am happy to speck his stablemate Bois D'argent at the eye-watering $41/7 quote.

He ran a bottler at Rosehill on his Australian debut in 2022, behind Star Of India and Hezashocker.

He was quickly spelled after that effort, and while he did return with a flat run at The Valley in March, some horses just don't handle the tricky dimensions of the track. Willing to forgive.

Hezashocker would be a hard second favourite in this field and if Bois D'argent produces a run similar to his first in the country he will be right in the finish here.

He has had another freshen-up and is essentially going to tackle this first up where he flies (6:2-1-2).

Worth a few dollars each-way.

Morphettville - Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m)

Mick Gannon Tip

The market looks to have this spot on.

Bella Nipotina is a deserved favourite.

She maps a treat and will enjoy the sting out of the ground.

Zapateo is in career-best form and is ready to take on Group 1 company.

She loves rain-affected tracks and will relish the hot tempo. 

Luke Hovhanesian Tip

A wide-open Robert Sangster sees plenty of value on offer.

Ruthless Dame looks a big price off her last start Coolmore failure.

The market has appeared to reject her, but the form lines through her races are very strong.

Two starts back she was only nosed out by Sunshine In Paris.

The start prior she was only 0.6L off Jacquinot who is a bonified star.

Maher/Eustace have continued to keep her fresh throughout her prep and don't be shocked by a big run from the Filly.

I'm lovin'ya can also perform well at $26.00 following up on that blistering run two weeks ago.

The horse he beat in that event Seven Veils is very talented and I am trusting these form lines to stack up near the top of the 3YO field.

Draws soft, gets Zac Spain and will be growing wings late.

Gosford - Takeover Target (1200m)

Mick Gannon Tip

Shades Of Rose has been thereabouts in Group 1 company this prep and finds a very winnable listed race here. 

She's a Group 2 winner which gives her leading credentials coming into this race.

I suspect she'll relish the drop in class and make every post a winner.

Luke Hovhanesian Tip

Clemenceau has speed to burn and I expect him to be very hard to catch.

He has a great third-up record, draws well in barrier 6 and the drying track plays right into his hands.

If he finds the front he is going to give them something to chase.

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