A quality 10-race card has been set at Morphettville Parks on Saturday where it is Leon MacDonald Stakes Day.
We’ve analysed the entire meeting and offer our best bets below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – The Fotobase Group Handicap (1250m)
Merry Mac Boy is well-deserving of his status as a short-priced favourite in the first.
The I Am Invincible three-year-old won exceptionally well on debut at Pakenham a few weeks ago, leading all the way to score by 3.5L whilst clocking some slick late times in the process.
He’ll have no trouble finding the front again from gate 6, while you have to respect the form of some of Peter Moody’s younger horses right now.
Race 2 – UniQ Stone Handicap (1950m)
Back to 1900m on another rain-affected track looks ideal for Golden Crusader.
The Todd Pannell-trained four-year-old is two-from-three this prep after leading all the way to score b y half a length at Sandown over further a few weeks ago.
That win came in similar conditions and he has far less work to do the time around from a much better draw. With some relief at the weights and this race lacking any early speed, I think he just wins.
Race 3 – Spring Carnival at Morphettville Maiden Plate (1000m)
Difficult race, but there is good each-way value on Field Of Steel.
This son of Deep Field resumed off a month’s break to run second over the track and distance a couple of weeks ago after leading for most of the way.
His condition just gave way in the late stages, but on a shorter backup this time around and on another rain-affected track, he should be able to find the front again and make his own luck up front.
Race 4 – Happy 80th Nonno Pippo Handicap (1250m)
If Bubble Over can settle a little more handy she should be tough to beat.
John Macmillan’s mare made up big ground from the rear to run fourth over 1100m here a couple of weeks ago in much wetter conditions than this.
She’s drawn to get the run along the rail and gets in well with the claim.
Race 5 – Vale Bushy Trenowden Handicap (1300m)
Nottaris made up good ground to run a place at Balaklava a few weeks ago off a freshen-up, a run he can improve on getting out to 1300m now.
The Swiss Ace gelding has drawn to get a similar run in transit from an identical gate and he should be a touch fitter now on a shorter turnaround.
The blinkers come off, a soft track should be to his liking, and he should be saving his best for late.
Race 6 – Fresh Kitchen Solutions Handicap (1550m)
Competitive race with a case to be made for a few.
Ziggi Rocks is racing on a short backup once again after finishing a length fifth over the mile at Murray Bridge last week.
He was a narrow winner the start prior on the course proper in very wet conditions and now gets Ryan Hurdle back in the saddle looking to make amends. Barrier 2 should see him settle midfield and he’ll likely give an honest effort like always.
Race 7 – EMR Marble and Granite Handicap (1000m)
Whipcracker Way has made the journey down from Melbourne and has gone up a nice price at time of publish.
The son of Shamus Award filled the frame at Caulfield last month over a touch further and is worth forgiving on his latest run at The Valley where he was caught wide and probably a little too keen at the top of the straight.
He loves some sting out of the track and with three weeks between runs, I think he’s worth a look.
Race 8 – Grand Syndicates – Join Team Grand Today! Handicap (1400m)
Run and Tell doesn’t win out of turn, but this does set up quite nicely for him on the 10-day backup.
Jon O’Connor’s gelding led and won by over four lengths over the track and distance last week, and although this a tougher race, he only needs to hold that form to be a factor.
He ran a place on a quick backup last month and will appreciate another wet track with the apprentice claim put to good use. From the inside draw, I suspect he’ll go straight to the front again and give a good sight.
Race 9 – Listed Leon MacDonald Stakes (1400m)
Agreeable is worth forgiving on her first run for Will Clarken where she finished eighth in the Spring Stakes a couple of weeks ago.
The Sebring mare had plenty go wrong down the straight, only finding her stride over the late stages when the race was already over.
Off that, the rise to 1400m looks ideal, and she has run well on rain-affected tracks previously.
Race 10 – Vale Ken Smith Am (1250m)
This is wide-open, but Deevine does look a nice bet having won at Gawler two runs back over much shorter.
He went around on the course proper here a fortnight ago finishing second to Next Dimension in heavy conditions where he stormed the line late after getting back.
Wet tracks seem to be his go and it helps knowing Jason Holder has won on him twice previously.