Morphettville
Race 9 – Prairie Flower
Jockey – John Allen
1200m – Barrier 5
Four-year-old mare Prairie Flower crosses the South Australian border this afternoon, returning to Morphettville in search of an elusive fifth career win. The daughter of Star Turn has raced well without breaking through this preparation, finishing close up in good form races since resuming in December. Jockey John Allen takes the ride and will find himself with cover in the second half of the field, working to the middle of the track to run on late.
The field has been hit by scratchings, leaving nine runners to contest the benchmark-64 contest in the last on Adelaide Cup day. Wonderful Rayray and Dunmaghlas will roll across and look for the lead from outside draws, with Katim’s Club to punch through and hold the inside from the outset. This could set up a gun trail for The Great Baby in barrier three, who hit winning form before spelling in September. He’s first-up today on the back of a trial win and should get all the favours in the run. Winning chance. Dunmaghlas absorbed plenty of pressure up front last start to fight back and win at Strathalbyn, and gets the services of an in-form Jamie Kah today. Up in the weights but will be in this for a long way. Each way chances to Wonderful Rayray second-up today, and Katim’s Club, who rarely puts in a bad one.
Prairie Flower is as honest as they come, and enjoys racing in the expanses of the main Morphettville circuit (6:2-0-2). She’ll get her chance to run on in the home straight, the booking of Johnny Allen a positive move in the quest to breakthrough here. Strong claims.
Currently, Prairie Flower is a $4.50 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 6 – Il Bello Beals
Jockey – Melissa Julius
1200m – Barrier 2
Three-year-old galloper Il Bello Beals has his second career start today, looking to improve from an inconspicuous debut at Bendigo a fortnight ago. The gelded son of Rubick looked better in a recent jumpout, and a better effort is expected on his home track this afternoon. Jockey Mel Julius leaves from an inside draw and can hold her spot in the front half of the field early, looking to lob on the back of the leaders heading into the home bend.
Discreet Affair and Universal Harmony will roll forward from the centre of the line to contest the lead, the latter coming through a strong form race behind Fury at Sandown last time out. He had jumped out well prior to that effort and should get every chance from the front today. Hardest to beat. Hellfire Miss is third-up and gets blinkers on for today’s race. Back to 1200-metres looks to suit, and she could get a lovely sit on the leaders throughout. Strong each way claims. So too Simplicity who wasn’t far away fresh, while Discreet Affair can improve second-up today.
Il Bello Beals will get every opportunity to show improvement on his home deck today, drawn to get a nice run behind the speed throughout. He’ll need to improve lengths on his first-up effort, but he has the scope to do so and can do just that today. Top four chance.
Currently, Il Bello Beals is a $71 chance in the market.
Ballarat
Race 9 – Parori
Jockey – Eoin Walsh
1000m – Barrier 6
Last start maiden winner Parori stays at 1000-metres today, jumping quickly to benchmark-64 grade on his home deck. The daughter of Star Witness led and was brave holding on at Terang last start, with both placegetters running well in the past week. Jockey Eoin Walsh leaves from gate six of eight and can let his mare roll early, the chute start at Ballarat giving runners a chance from any barrier.
Steel Jimmy will jump fast a search for the lead in the early stages, resuming from a spell on the back of good jumpout form. He won his first two career starts on the poly here last preparation, taking on stronger company at Caulfield before heading to the paddock. If his early form translates to the turf track, he’ll take catching today. Toompine and Governor will push forward, both resuming from a break today, while A Good Yarn is always thereabouts early in his races. Lady Of Light maps for a better run today than his first-up effort, where he was trapped wide but still hit the line well. She’s consistent in this grade and can’t be ignored. Each way chances to Toompine and Governor, while A Good Yarn has struck winning form in lesser grade of late.
Parori has the speed to go with the frontrunners early and will be full of confidence after his maiden win a fortnight ago. She does jump sharply in grade, but the form around that win has been solid, and she should get every chance in the run here. Each way claims.
Currently, Parori is a $15 chance in the market.