Morphettville
Race 4 – The Autumn Belle
Jockey – Craig Williams
2500m – Barrier 1
Three-year-old filly The Autumn Belle is up in trip and back in grade for the SA Fillies Classic at Morphettville this afternoon. The daughter of The Autumn Sun was forced back from the gates in the Group-1 Australasian Oaks last start, given no hope but running on soundly when the race was all over. Jockey Craig Williams has drawn much kinder in gate one today and can settle one or two pairs back with cover throughout the event.
Last start maiden winner Quadratic will bounce fast and put herself on the speed from a middle draw, while Positivity, Zambezi Khan and Harvest Moon won’t be far away on settling. Positivity ran well at her Australian debut in the Australasian Oaks, beaten under four lengths and giving every indication she wants more ground. A Group-3 winner in New Zealand, this filly was runner-up in the 2400-metre NZ Oaks and should get every chance from the gate here. Hardest to beat. Looks an even field from here, with each way chances going to Zambezi Khan, who was solid at Caulfield last weekend, and Gotta Go Guru, who is racing in good fashion. Other with minor claims.
The Autumn Belle has a touch of class on most of these and finally draws a good barrier in SA. She would’ve finished closer last start if not for a chequered passage, and the extra trip today looks to be in her favour. She’s nearing the end of her campaign, but anything near her best has her right in this.
Currently, The Autumn Belle is a $5.50 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 2 – Lubly Sing
Jockey – Jack Hill
1200m – Barrier 7
Three-year-old filly Lubly Sing resumes today at Donald over 1200-metres. The daughter of Lean Mean Machine was good on debut at Geelong in November before she’d had enough second-up and was sent to the paddock to spell. A pair of recent jumpouts have her ready for today’s race, jumping quickly on both occasions and sound through the line. Jockey Jack Hill rides from towards the outside and can be positive early, letting his filly roll and settling in the first half of the field.
A few first-starters so the speed map is unclear, however expect Dimora Queen to leave quickly from towards the outside, while See De Night can punch through from the centre of the line. Carat Time has drawn the inside alley and will find the leaders’ back from the outset, looking to go one better than a runner-up effort at Horsham last start. He was a short-priced favourite on that occasion and looks suited out to 1200-metres here. Hardest to beat. Dimora Queen had every chance from the front at Warrnambool first-up but was far from disgraced. The form around her debut run in October is strong for this. The race drops away a little from here, with Lotus Tower the pick of the debutants. He’s shown speed at the jumpouts and could be thereabouts.
Lubly Sing only needs to repeat her debut effort to be around the mark in this field. She’ll be better for the run and does strike a tricky draw, but no surprise to see her show up in the first four fresh.
Currently, Lubly Sing is a $23 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 2 – Yellow Rock
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 10
Toronado gelding Yellow Rock makes his racetrack debut over 1200-metres at Donald this afternoon. The three-year-old galloper has had plenty of jumpout experience, showing glimpses of ability and is ready for the rigours of raceday. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from an outside gate and will come out neutral, looking for a back to follow throughout and work into the race late.
A few first-starters so the speed map is unclear, however expect Dimora Queen to leave quickly from towards the outside, while See De Night can punch through from the centre of the line. Carat Time has drawn the inside alley and will find the leaders’ back from the outset, looking to go one better than a runner-up effort at Horsham last start. He was a short-priced favourite on that occasion and looks suited out to 1200-metres here. Hardest to beat. Dimora Queen had every chance from the front at Warrnambool first-up but was far from disgraced. The form around her debut run in October is strong for this. The race drops away a little from here, with Lotus Tower the pick of the debutants. He’s shown speed at the jumpouts and could be thereabouts. Lubly Sing next best.
Yellow Rock will benefit from the run and ne netter when stretched out over more ground in future starts. He’ll find a few of these too sharp at the trip, but look for him to be working home in the latter stages of the race.
Currently, Yellow Rock is a $26 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 3 – Ms Hubble
Jockey – Jack Hill
1200m – Barrier 1
Two-year-old filly Ms Hubble takes on the Donald 2YO Classic on debut this afternoon. The daughter of Deep Field has jumped out twice this preparation, sound on the synthetic before slowly away and tracking wide at Bendigo at her latest. Jockey Jack Hill leaves from the inside alley and will want to step cleanly to hold a position, looking to lob better than midfield with cover in the early parts.
Plenty of first-starters so the speed map is unclear, but Invinciboo was urged to go forward on debut after showing speed in his jumpouts, while Brazen Martini has the early toe to hold his position from a good draw. This galloper was impressive winning a recent Ararat jumpout, always travelling wide and running away from the field in the latter stages of the heat. He didn’t exactly break the clock but it was done under no riding. Can feature on debut here. The closing effort of Guerite at Warrnambool on a mad-leader’s track was excellent and she strips fitter for that debut run. Drawn wide and will get back again, but will get her chance to run on at this track today. Very open affair outside of these two, with each way chances to Supernima, who has jumped out well, Invinciboo, who can improve second-up, and stablemate Macocha, who just needs even luck from a wide draw. Others with claims.
Ms Hubble will improve on whatever she does today, improving from the raceday experience. She draws to get a nice run throughout, how she leaves the gates will be key to her hopes. A suitable assignment for her debut.
Currently, Ms Hubble is a $20 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 3 – Macocha
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1200m – Barrier 13
Promising filly Macocha is second-up and fitter when she takes on two-year-old company at Donald this afternoon. The daughter of Street Boss was just okay when resuming at Sandown behind a dominant all-the-way winner, having a jumpout between runs in preparation for today. Jockey Madison Lloyd rides from an outside gate and will likely be forced back in the early parts, looking for a back to follow into the home straight and hit the line late.
Plenty of first-starters so the speed map is unclear, but Invinciboo was urged to go forward on debut after showing speed in his jumpouts, while Brazen Martini has the early toe to hold his position from a good draw. This galloper was impressive winning a recent Ararat jumpout, always travelling wide and running away from the field in the latter stages of the heat. He didn’t exactly break the clock but it was done under no riding. Can feature on debut here. The closing effort of Guerite at Warrnambool on a mad-leader’s track was excellent and she strips fitter for that debut run. Drawn wide and will get back again, but will get her chance to run on at this track today. Very open affair outside of these two, with each way chances to Supernima, who has jumped out well, and Invinciboo, who can improve second-up here, and August Bonus, who won a recent Horsham trial. Others with claims.
Macocha’s recent jumpout was encouraging, sitting just off the speed and running through the line well behind a smart one. Today’s barrier may dictate this is how she needs to be ridden, though the opportunity to roll across early with Invinciboo may give Lloyd another option. Competitive race and with even luck she can be in the finish.
Currently, Macocha is a $7 chance in the market.
Donald
Race 8 – Riding High
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
2200m – Barrier 4
Veteran galloper Riding High gets blinkers back on for a run on the flat this afternoon. The ten-year-old son of Raise The Flag missed the Warrnambool jumps features due to foot soreness but has recovered well, and will use today’s race as a good hitout before returning to the obstacles in eight days at Casterton. Jockey Madison Lloyd rides from a good draw and can let her gelding roll early, landing outside or just behind the speed in the early stages of the contest.
Speed looks genuine with Celtic Knot, Gift Of Oratory and Sheer Lunacy to punch forward from the centre, while Walk In The Woods and Idon’tgetit won’t be far away throughout. Open, open race. Mo’s Stash will be off-speed and did everything but win at Horsham last time out. He loomed to win there but lacked a killer punch at the end, each way claims today. Idon’tgetit was solid from the back at Ararat in a good form race and the extra trip looks ideal for him today. Drawn for a soft run closer tot he speed here, will be strong late. Celtic Knot has hit a good patch of form, and Palentino Heights can improve back in grade. Both with each way claims. I could go on…
Riding High will take good benefit out of today’s run as he looks to the jumps next start. A few of these might be too sharp at this stage of his preparation, but he gets a lovely surface and fair track to build for next week.
Currently, Riding High is a $21 chance in the market.