Midweek racing comes around today for the final time in May, as we set out sights into the depths of the winter months. The racing is still very competitive, however, with a number of quality fields assembled today around the country. Sale, Strathalbyn, Canterbury, and Ascot are our venues today, as well as dual Queensland meetings taking place with Warwick and the Sunshine Coast. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby outlines his five best plays of the day below.
Sale R2 #9 Not For Izzy $2.60 at PlayUp – This Jason and Allan Williams gelding comes here fourth up into this career, coming off the back of a competitive second placing at Werribee earlier this month.On that occasion, he ran second to Blue Ocean, who has since gone to Flemington and run very competitively at benchmark grade. Clearly then, Not For Izzy is coming out of a strong form line which has since held up in higher grade. He maps very well from barrier two, and the wet track should be no issue based off his previous runs this campaign in very similar wet conditions. Craig Williams takes the ride and should give this galloper every chance, and i’m tipping he will be able to break through today. Selections: 9-10-3-4
Sale R4 #2 Beauty Supreme $3.80 at PlayUp – Comes here second up off the back of a very encouraging fresh run at Caulfield, that was on a heavy 8 over the 1000m. He opened big odds and was crunched in the market, and ran accordingly to go down by under a length on the line. Comes here fitter second up and way down in grade to a midweek bm64, where he should be very well suited. He likes the softer ground, and sticking to the 1000m journey should be suitable. The 60.5kg seems a big weight at first glance, but when compared to the field he looks to be very well weighted. Selections: 2-1-6-4
Sale R7 #4 Taberna $3.80 at PlayUp – This mare continues to race very well this preparation, forgiving a below par run two back where she was wide without cover. Her run last start behind Hapaira in harder grade was very good, and the 1300m that day is clearly short of her best. Fourth up now reaching her peak, she steps to the mile and should relish it. Well weighted after the claim again for rider Harry Grace, and she was fine in the soft 7 conditions last start, so similar wet track conditions here look to be no issue. Maps well from barrier four, and is down in grade, she ticks all the boxes. Selections: 4-3-9-2
Canterbury R4 #7 My Demetra $4.80 at PlayUp – This Snowden mare continues to race very consistently without winning this prep, and is coming out of strong form races. Her past two runs have been behind Petronius and Rocha Clock, two horses who look to be competitive in Saturday grade. She should be rock hard fit now deep into her campaign, and that will help her on the heavy conditions. Second up this prep she was placed behind Tricky Gal on a heavy, so I have no doubt she will get through the ground. Out in trip now should help, and she maps to find better going from barrier 12 in the run. Selections: 7-11-8-12
Canterbury R5 #1 Monsieur Sisu $6.50 at PlayUp – Thought we are getting a very good price about a horse that I know will be able to get through the heavy going very well. His wet track stats are the strongest in the race, with three wins and four placings on heavy going from eight attempts. In fact, his only career wins have come on heavy going. On his day, his best runs go very close in high level benchmark races, including sound runs this prep at BM88 level. Today, he faces opposition in BM64 level, which is a huge drop in grade. He won’t know himself down at this level, and even with the big weight he can be making a very strong case here. Selections: 1-8-5-2
