The Adelaide Racing Carnival wraps up this Saturday at Morphettville with the feature sprint race, the $500,000 Group l Tapestry Wines Goodwood (1200m), which has collected a reasonably strong field considering that the BTC Cup is on at Doomben also. Heading the field is the talented but frustrating galloper Bel Sprinter, who has yet to really hit any decent form since his placing behind Lucky Nine in the Krisflyer at Singapore this time last year. Defending champ Platelet returns, and she will be asked to carry 57kg from barrier 17 (15 if the emergencies come out). Barrier 15 has only had once success in history, so nearly everything is against her. Other notable races on the card include the $150,000 Group lll Tapestry Shiraz R A Lee Stakes (1600m) and the $115,000 Group lll Sportingbet Proud Miss Stakes (1200m).
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Race One (12:25) : Darley National Stakes 1200m
Back Me: I don’t think this two year old race will last long in the memory bank. Going for a bit of value in the shape of. Was a drifter in betting on debut at Sale, and after settling last, she stormed home late for second. Steps up to Listed company, but this isn’t the strongest race going around, and with plenty of upside from the race day experience, I’ll be in her corner.
Big Danger: Sweet And Speedy won that race at Sale after getting a cheap run on the speed and dashing clear in the straight. The form out of that race, in my opinion, looks very strong, and certainly good enough for this. Stable is having a good run with their youngsters at the moment and is bred to handle the rain if it comes.
Roughie: Not A Happy Camper comes out of the same, and he made up good ground as well behind the winner. Wasn’t wanted in betting, but there were encouraging signs there to suggest she has her fair share of ability. In a very tough race, It wouldn’t shock me to see her in the finish.
Race Two (13:00) : Sportingbet SA Fillies Classic 2500m
Back Me: Putting Artistic Lass on top here. I thought her run in the Oaks behind May’s Dream was excellent considering she was last on the home turn yet hit the line better than anything else. 2500m is a big tick, should have scope for improvement, and perhaps she can sit a touch closer in the run. Looks very hard to beat.
Big Danger: Rezoned was desperately unlucky in the Oaks. There was a narrow gap and it was there for either her or May’s Dream, and the latter got it and won. Rezoned went to the line without really being extended, so she should have no troubles with the distance and should have some upside left in the tank.
Roughie: Every Faith was another eye catcher in the Oaks, like Artistic Lass, coming home from a long way back. Failed in the Oaks during the Spring, but appears now as if she’ll handle the trip, especially against this inferior lot. Bred to swim as well, so any rain won’t dint her winning claims.
Race Three (13:35) : SA Sprint Series Final 1100m
Back Me: Waddle your finger and hope for the best. Excellent Point was very good at his South Australian debut last week, swooping from the back and looking the winner until the eventual winner kicked back on his inner. Generally improves with the run under the belt and the likelihood of a firmer track will assist.
Big Danger: King’s Pardon was backed as if unbeatable when resuming at Oakbank and he never gave his supporters a moment of worry, sitting off the speed and pouncing quickly in the straight for a dominant win. Drawn poorly now, but tumbles down to the minimum here, has won second up before and can handle all conditions.
Roughie: Mitford Girl was a strong first up winner at Murray Bridge before running third on a bottomless Gawler surface, then storming home late for second to King’s Pardon at Oakbank. Meets that horse so badly at the weights here, but she is racing very well at present and cannot be overlooked
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Race Four (14:14) : Mittys Port Adelaide Cup 2500m
Back Me: Tricky race. Escado won the South Australian Derby in 2013 but hadn’t done anything great until last week when finding the line well late behind the flying Tooleybuc Kid at Caulfield. 2500m suits, drawn to get a gun run and Benny Melham gets back aboard. Hard to beat.
Big Danger: Shiny Buttons had a super Warrnambool carnival, winning on the Tuesday to gain a start in the Cup on Thursday where he was outstanding, coming from near the rear to run fourth to his stablemate, Akzar. Really starting to hit his straps now this prep and a possible trip to Brisbane could be on the cards if he runs well here. Genuine threat.
Roughie: Not sure what he has beaten recently, but the manner in which Terrific Flair has disposed of his rivals has earned him a crack at this level. He spanked them at Murray Bridge last start, and while it is a quantum leap in depth, he is in great form, as is the trainer and jockey.
Race Five (14:49) : Centaurea Stakes 2006m
Back Me: Great bet here in the shape of Miss Outshine Ugh…do we have to revisit last Saturday? It was going to be a case of how far 200m out, but she got caught up behind horses and never got a crack at them when she appeared to be bolting. Also accepted for Flemington, but I think the carrot of blacktype will see her run here, and I think she’ll go very close.
Big Danger: Star Fashion went very close to winning at Group l level last start in the Oaks, but couldn’t withstand the finishing burst of May’s Dream. Has always promised to win a nice race, and while she narrowly missed out last time, she gets a great chance here I think and looms as the one to beat.
Roughie: Special Miss has had two runs now under the care for Mick Kent. Looked as if she was going to win first up at Sportingbet Park but her fitness gave way late, then went to Kilmore for an easy kill and demolished her rivals there. Quickly up to the 2006m looks ideal, she has plenty of upside and that man again, Dean Yendall, is on board.
Race Six (15:24) : Tapestry Shiraz R A Lee Stakes 1600m
Back Me: Rhythm To Spare ran a couple of howlers in Sydney during their carnival behind Messene and Weary respectively, then appreciated a drop in class with a dominant win at Flemington on Anzac Day. This isn’t the greatest Group lll field ever assembled and looks hard to beat, although he would prefer some fine weather.
Big Danger: Gig ran two solid seconds behind Red Fez and Sistine Demon before contesting the Robert Sangster, and like most, she just couldn’t get into the race behind the tearaway leader and eventual winner in Driefontein. Drop in class suits, as does the rise to 1600m. Gets her chance for some blacktype.
Roughie: Danish Spy closed off her race really well late in the Queen Of The South behind Tango’s Daughter after settling near last in the run. Stepping up against open company is a slight concern, but she is in very good form and strikes a winnable race.
Race Seven (16:00) : Tapestry Wines Goodwood 1200m
Back Me: Can the fairytale of Miracles Of Life ‘Barbie’ have one final chapter? I think so based on how dominant she was last week against her own age, sitting outside a reasonable tempo before dashing clear in the straight and winning with plenty in reserve. There are horses in this race who have more ability than her, but I doubt there is one with as much heart. The wet track poses no worries, drawn beautifully to get the trail off Driefontein and is only half a kilo over the minimum.
Big Danger: A horse who hopes the rain does stay away is Unpretentious ho was a narrow third in that thrilling finish of the William Reid. He has always shown the ability, and promise, to win a major injury and other factors have held him back. From all reports, he is ticking over very nicely for this and despite winning 101 majors, Olly is yet to win a Goodwood. Gets his chance here.
Roughie: Going to give a sneaky blowout chance to Ready To Rip. Excellent first up run at Sportingbet Park when wide with no cover, then was well back at Caulfield in the Victoria Handicap, which was dominated by Jamie Kah and Sistine Demon. A fast run 1200m is his go, cherry ripe fitness wise, drawn to get a good trail, handles the wet and he won’t know himself with 54.5kg on his back.
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Race Eight (16:40) : Sportingbet Proud Miss Stakes 1200m
Back Me: The likelihood of a hot tempo will play into the hands of Miss Steele, who was outstanding in winning at the Valley last start, sitting back before poking her way through the field and unleashing a powerful finishing burst. Similar tactics will be used here, and will take a stack of beating if all the factors mentioned above eventuate.
Big Danger: Kneeling deserved another win and she got it, albeit narrowly, in the Wangoom after leading all the way. I don’t think leading is her go, so I’d like to see her chase something, like she did two back at Caulfield when beaten in a close finish. Provided she has taken no harm from the Bool, she’ll prove hard to hold out.
Roughie: Girl Guide has had an outstanding first prep, with the only blemish being a second, beaten a nose, at the Valley to The Bounty Queen. Going through the grades nicely and now gets her chance to put some blacktype on the board. Drawn well, Dunn rides and hopefully she can take cover from the barrier, because against this lot, she’ll need to attack the line in order to win, not fall in.
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Best Bet: Race Five Number 10 Miss Outshine
Next Best: Race Seven Number 19 Miracles Of Life
Best Roughie: Race Three Number 2 Excellent Point
Quaddie Tips (Races Five Through To Eight):
Leg One: 1, 10, 12, 16
Leg Two: 4, 6, 11, 12, 13
Leg Three: 5, 9, 10, 13, 17, 19
Leg Four: 2, 4, 8, 11, 16
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In the news:
Dwayne Dunn has waited 15 months to ride Gregers in Saturday’s Group One Goodwood at Morphettville.
Dunn won on Gregers when the filly made a successful debut at Moonee Valley in February last year before steering her into fourth at her next start in the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes.
But circumstances kept Dunn out of the running to ride the David Hayes-trained Gregers again with Chad Schofield, Kayla Nisbet, Michael Rodd and Craig Williams partnering the three-year-old in her subsequent runs.
Williams rode Gregers to third in the Group One Robert Sangster Classic last time out before heading to Japan for two months, leaving the mount open for Dunn in Adelaide’s premier sprint.
Dunn says a fitter Gregers can improve on her Sangster Classic performance in Saturday’s $500,000 contest.
“David said he took her into the Sangster a little fresher thinking that was the way to have her,” Dunn said.
“She probably lacked a little bit of fitness so she’ll improve from that and dropping a kilo in weight will only help her.”
Dunn said barrier five was perfect for Gregers and TAB punters agree, backing the three-year-old from $11 into $10 on Friday.
Darley galloper Sessions and local hope Essay Raider have also firmed from $11 into $10 while the Group Two Sportingbet Stakes winner Miracles Of Life shortened from $8 to $7 at her final start before she is sold at public auction.
Barrier five could be significant for Dunn, who will also ride Gregers’ three-quarter sister Girl Guide in the Group Three Proud Miss Stakes (1200m).
Girl Guide has won four of her five starts and booked a shot at stakes company with her strong win at Sandown on April 26.
“She doesn’t win by much but she puts them away,” Dunn said.
“She’s going so well that you have got to have a throw at the stumps in a race like this.”