Morphettville Parks
Race 1 – Almonti
Jockey – Jacob Opperman
1950m – Barrier 3
Four-year-old galloper Almonti gets out to 2000-metres for the first time when he crosses the border for today’s race. The gelded son of Dundeel was a strong winner at Swan Hill two starts back, before a sound effort from the back at Ballarat three weeks ago. Jockey Fred Kersley leaves from barrier three today and can let his galloper roll in the early parts, landing on or just behind the speed throughout.
Scratchings have claimed some of the early speed here, leaving Looking Suave and Holmes as likely go-forward horses, while Only Old Once can enjoy a soft trail just off the speed. This galloper made it two wins from four career starts when he was too good over a mile at Seymour last time out. Up to this trip looks okay and draws for every favour in the run. One of the dangers. Holmes is a model of consistency, but one win from sixteen starts is the obvious knock. Sure to be thereabouts again. Fair Legacy has won four in a row on the dirt at Port Augusta and has placed twice on soft ground. Next best in a race that falls away quickly.
Almonti strikes a suitable race today, suited out to 2000-metres and on a surface with plenty of give. All three starts this preparation have been good and he gives every indication he’ll relish the rise in trip. Strong each way claims.
Currently, Almonti is a $7 chance in the market.
Mildura
Race 2 – Chilli Tycoon
Jockey – Eoin Walsh
1200m – Barrier 4
Three-year-old filly Chilli Tycoon gets blinkers for the first time when she comes back to 1200-metres at Mildura today. The daughter of Written Tycoon hasn’t been able to make an impact in four starts this campaign, and needs to improve to feature in the finish this afternoon. Jockey Eoin Walsh leaves from gate four and can be positive in the early parts, looking to land outside or just behind the speed heading into the home straight.
Small field and not a heap of early speed to speak of. Hell Of A Gent may elect to punch forward from the inside and hold all comers out, while Mentawai and Lavader have the option to settle handy from gates two and three. Not much would surprise in this. Artpark finished alongside Dimora Queen on debut at Donald in May before being put away for a short spell. She resumes on the back of a Stawell jumpout win and the form around Dimora Queen is good for this. Hardest to beat. Wareo Road has been sound in both career starts and peaks third-up today. Similar Hell Of A Gent, who gets blinkers for the first time after a pair of sound efforts. Both with each way claims. Others not hopeless in a race with plenty to learn.
Chilli Tycoon gets her chance to improve in a moderate race, and blinkers going on should sharpen her up today. If she can find the right part of the track to run home, she can feature in the finish here. Each ay claims.
Currently, Chilli Tycoon is a $19 chance in the market.
Mildura
Race 2 – Zuri Platoon
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1200m – Barrier 6
Three-year-old debutant Zuri Platoon kicks off his racing career over 1200-metres at Mildura this afternoon. The gelded son of Grunt has had three recent jumpouts, the latest a good effort on soft ground at St Arnaud when crossing the line with a smart galloper. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from gate six in a field of seven and can look to find cover from the outset, peeling out to run on in the home straight.
Small field and not a heap of early speed to speak of. Hell Of A Gent may elect to punch forward from the inside and hold all comers out, while Mentawai and Lavader have the option to settle handy from gates two and three. Not much would surprise in this. Artpark finished alongside Dimora Queen on debut at Donald in May before being put away for a short spell. She resumes on the back of a Stawell jumpout win and the form around Dimora Queen is good for this. Hardest to beat. Wareo Road has been sound in both career starts and peaks third-up today. Similar Hell Of A Gent, who gets blinkers for the first time after a pair of sound efforts. Both with each way claims. Others not hopeless in a race with plenty to learn.
Zuri Platoon strikes a moderate race to begin his career, and drawing towards the middle of the track may be a good scenario today. His jumpout at St Arnaud was encouraging, and if he can find the right part of the track to run home, he can give this a shake. Each way claims.
Currently, Zuri Platoon is a $7.50 chance in the market.
Mildura
Race 3 – Zuri Miss
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1400m – Barrier 8
Four-year-old mare Zuri Miss is second-up and fitter when she treks north to Mildura for today’s contest. The daughter of Smart Missile was fair upon resumption over 1200-metres, the extra furlong in her favour today as she looks to show improvement in her second run at her new stable. Jockey Mitch Aitken leaves from the outside in a field of eight and can fond cover early, looking for the right part pf the track to finish over the top late.
Not a great deal of early speed on paper, perhaps Irlandais can use the inside to hold its position, while Exalted Joy and Chuckamicky can settle handy in the run from their wider draws. Moderate affair. Chuckamicky improved into the placings at Warracknabeal second-up and peaks for today’s race. On the quick back-up, any further improvement has her right in the mix. Dangerous Secret settled last over 900-metres when fresh at Mount Gambier, running on strongly in the closing stages to grab third on the line. Quickly up in distance but looks like she enjoy that. Each way claims. Hard to make a case for others.
Zuri Miss is capable of improvement up in trip today, and she’ll relish a return to a grass surface. This isn;t a strong race, and if she finds suitable ground to run on in the home straight, she can be right there in the finish. Strong claims.
Currently, Zuri Miss is a $3.50 chance in the market.
Mildura
Race 5 – Berry Foxie
Jockey – Mitch Aitken
1900m – Barrier 5
Four-year-old mare Berry Foxie is back in grade and up in trip at Mildura this afternoon. The daughter of Rommel has mixed her form in an interrupted campaign this time in, but an improved performance is expected back on a grass surface today. Mitch Aitken has drawn well in gate five and can let his galloper roll forward in the early stages, looking to land outside or just behind the speed heading into the back straight.
Early speed doesn’t look pulsating. Pulveriser gets blinkers on and may elect to roll forward from the inside alley, while Lord Cat and El Campeon can find forward positions in the run from their respective inside/outside draws. Even affair. Pulveriser ran on well behind Lotttaroc at Donald first-up in May before just missing at Penola next time out. He’s had a jumps trial in the interim, and the Lottaroc form has plenty of merit now. Hardest to beat. The Cassini has placed in both runs at this track, and looks ready for the rise in distance today. Should enjoy a soft run in transit and could make his presence felt late. Each way claims. So too El Campeon who is right back in grade for this. He’s likely a jumper in waiting but his best flat form has him right in this. Coraggio next best in this company.
Berry Foxie’s hopes will improve on a drying track, whether that eventuates is yet to be seen. She should be able to find a forward position in the run without spending too many tickets and have a kick left in the locker turning for home. Strong each way claims in a moderate event.
Currently, Berry Foxie is a $7.50 chance in the market,