It’s a massive G1 weekend of racing punters, and it all kicks off on Friday night with the running of the scintillating G1 Moir Stakes at The Valley! A few of Australia’s best short course prospects take each other on, and it looks to be a cracking race. On Saturday, there is G1 Underwood Stakes day at Caulfield, and G1 Golden Rose day at Rosehill. Toowoomba hosts their cup meeting, set to be run over 2000m in race seven. There is also the running of the inaugural Black Heart Bart Stakes over in Belmont, a fitting tribute to a great warrior from the West. Lewis Willoughby has done a lot of form, and found five bets to be having, see them below.
Caulfield R4 #6 Brooklyn Hustle $3.70 at PlayUp – Keen to be with Brooklyn Hustle here, who is third up and coming off two very strong runs so far this prep. First up she was a dominant winner over 1000m at The Valley, unleashing from the back with that explosive turn of foot that we know she has. She then went to the G2 McEwan over the same track and trip, and fought really hard through the line in behind Bella Vella. She ran an equally as fast last 200m sectional in that race, and was unlucky not to finish closer on the line. Third up, out to 1200m will really suit, and i’m keen to see her ridden positively from barrier two like they did last start. If Alfa Oro runs on Friday night, I think Brooklyn Hustle will be very hard to beat. Selections: 6-1-3-5
Caulfield R7 #4 Instant Celebrity $3.00 at PlayUp – Very excited to see this extremely promising South Australian filly make her Melbourne debut. She comes off a win that has to be seen to be believed, caught in awful traffic until the final stages where she rocketed home to win with an unbelievable turn of foot. The assistant trainer said in a post-race interview that she wasn’t even fully wound up, so expect her to be even more improved now fourth up, out to 1400m in Melbourne. This is undoubtedly her toughest test to date in G2 level, but this looks far from the hardest G2 event i’ve seen, and with any luck in running she can be winning this. Selections: 4-8-5-1
Caulfield R9 #8 Nonconformist $3.50 at PlayUp – Comes here second up off the back of a very encouraging return at Caulfield last start over the 1400m. He was ridden quiet from the wide draw, and only got into clear running in the last 250m. Once clear, he let down extremely well and went very close to winning, even being in front only a few strides after the line. Second up and fitter, stepping out to 1700m will be ideal. He is 2:2 on soft ground, and his first up run rated near his career peak, indicating he has come back in outstanding form. They may be more positive today from barrier 11, and I think he can be too sharp for his other main rivals that are looking for 2000m+. Selections: 8-4-9-19
Rosehill R3 #15 Star Karen $31.00 at PlayUp – A very speculative play here, but at massive odds I don’t want to let this horse go around without something of mine on. Second up here, first up last start at Rosehill she was ridden very negatively, taken straight to the rear and sat there. She peeled wide on the turn and loomed as a threat, but was not helped by the pattern of the race as it was very hard to make ground and the leader ended up being the winner. Second up out to 1900m, and only carries 53kg after the rise in grade. Her NZ form is good, and her trial leading into this prep was very strong. Drawn well here in barrier 5, that allows for a more positive ride. Selections: 15-9-4-14
Rosehill R5 #12 Marboosha $7.00 at PlayUp – Think you can be doing worse than having an each way ticket on Marboosha here in what looks an exciting Listed Heritage Stakes. Returns for her 3yo season, and a recent trial behind Wild Ruler (top weight), was seriously impressive. She finished only a lip behind in the trial, and lines up here carrying 4kg less than him on official weights. She comes through the Macroura form line of last year, which looks very strong for a race like this, and the 1100m distance is a great kick off point. Rachel King is riding in outstanding form, she draws a lovely barrier, and I can’t believe that she is going around at this quote. Selections: 12-1-2-10
