It’s been a flat few weeks in racing, not counting the jumps at the Warrnambool Carnival that is. Poor attempted gag, sorry. Anyway, we are back with group one racing in Adelaide and a group two at the Gold Coast which boasts some quality horse flesh, so the lull is officially over.
THE BIG FIVE
- Gold Coast R3 No 4 – Impending $7k @ $1.70
- Morphetville R7 No 18 – Don’t Doubt Mamma $5k @ $8
- Morphetville R6 No 14 – Abbey Marie $3k @ $7
- Rosehill R5 No 1 – Sir Bachus $3k e/w @ $1.80
- Gold Coast R7 No 1 – Volkstok’n’Barrell $2.5k e/w @ $17/$4.80
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN OAKS (Morphetville, Race 6)
While the super consistent SILENT SEDITION has been a rock solid around the top of the market at $5, the best backed horse in the race has been the inexperienced Mick Kent runner, ABBEY MAREE.
With wins over 1400m and 1600m in her first two starts, the filly by Redoute’s Choice is bred to stay and should be able to see out the 2000m without too many issues. At least that’s what the punters are hoping.
She’s been $7 into $4.80 favourite. Breeding aside, a group one win stepping up sharply in trip at run number three would be one helluva training performance by Kent.
As mentioned, SILENT SEDITION certainly has her fans having taken out the AURARIA a fortnight ago, which is the traditional lead up race to the SA Oaks.
Sydney horse, BELIEVE, who ran third in the Sydney Oaks, has been specked at the $9.50 which was initially offered and is now around the $8.50 mark.
Former Peter Moody runner, PASADENA GIRL, now with David Hayes, was the notable drifter, out from $17 to $21 before firming back in to her original quote this morning.
BIG BET
ABBEY MARIE – $3k @ $7.00
ROBERT SANGSTER STAKES (Morphetville, Race 7)
It seems punters are happy to forgive the run of PETITE FILOUS in the ARROWFIELD a month ago with the Ciaron Maher trainer filly the best backed to claim a maiden group one win.
She’s been $7 in to $5.50 before easing slightly this morning back to $6.
The common trend in the early betting shows punters are keen to stick with the three year old sprinters with DON’T DOUBT MAMMA the next best backed and attracting a good percentage of money.
The filly, who stormed home to win the REDELVA STAKES a fortnight ago, numerous reasonably sized bets as well as one big one of $5k at $8; she’s now firmed to $7.
Sticking with the theme of younger horses proving far more popular than their older counterparts, MISS PROMISCUITY ($15-$21), PRECIOUS GEM ($17-$20) and PRIVATE SECRETARY ($17-$21) are amongst the notable drifters.
BIG BET
DON’T DOUBT MAMMA – $5k @ $8.00
HOLLINDALE STAKES (Gold Coast, Race 7)
He’s shown on both sides of the Tasman he can match and beat the best of the them so it’s no surprise to see Kiwi gelding VOLKSTOCK’N’BARRELL prove attractive to punters at double figure odds. Last year’s Rosehill Guineas winner, who was slightly disappointing in the Doncaster Handicap, has been $17 in to $10 and the really big mover as he sets his sights on the Doomben Cup.
While some are hoping for a blowout, many more are hoping race favourite HAURAKI does the job.
The John O’Shea trained gelding has been all the rage for the Hollindale, backed from $3.50 into $2.80 having been far from disgraced running seventh in the Queen Elizabeth.
Prior to that he was second in the Ranvet behind THE UNITED STATES and placed third behind WINX in both the Chipping Norton and Apollo Stakes. Very handy form lines indeed.
Solid Sydney form isn’t being entirely respected here though with OLD NORTH $5-$6.50.
IT’S SOMEWHAT, who finished ahead of Hauraki in the Queen Elizabeth was easy early, $11 out to $13 but has firmed in to $9 this morning on the back of some scratchings.
BIG BET
VOLLKSTOK’N’BARRELL – $2.5k @ $17/$4.80