Signing off November in style with a massive Saturday of racing from all around the country. There’s Stakes racing at The Valley, with the McKenzie and Carylon Stakes set down for decision over the course of a 9-race program. Rosehill likewise has black type on the cards, with the Festival Stakes and Starlight Stakes as their feature races. The feature in Doomben is R8, with another Listed event to take place. Meanwhile, Adelaide hosts its fifth consecutive day of racing, with Morphettville taking centre stage. In the west, it is another G1 day of racing as their carnival enters full swing, with the G1 Winterbottom Stakes to be contested by the locals and interstate raiders. Early markets say that Trekking will be very hard to beat for the Godolphin army. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has identified his five best of the day below.
Moonee Valley R4 #3 Wings Of Pastrami $5.50 at PlayUp – Fifth up here, coming off a gallant effort at Flemington behind Power Scheme, finishing only 0.4L in what was a strong Bm90 race. Got forced very deep on the turn, and kept fighting hard through the line, running the 2nd fastest last 200m split of the race. Power Scheme has since finished 2nd in a G3, so the form is stacking up. Drops back to fillies and mares grade bm78, which is a huge drop in class, and she should be peaking now. Should push forward from the wide draw and sit handy to the speed, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of tempo in the race so this shouldn’t be too hard to achieve. Thought she deserved to be closer in the market to the other favourites. Selections: 3-8-5-9
Moonee Valley R5 #6 Ilovethegame $6.50 at PlayUp – Thought the fresh run of Ilovethegame last start was outstanding, and far better than what I was expecting of the horse. Jumped and landed straight on the bunny over the 1200m, and managed to stick on very well through the line. Set to be much fitter and improved here second up, and from barrier two should be able to land on speed again and control the race. Drops in weight which will help, and D Oliver has decided to stick with the ride. Think we are getting a very generous price and wouldn’t be surprised to see him turn the tables on the opposition. Selections: 6-4-5-8
Moonee Valley R9 #5 Sondelon $14.00 at PlayUp – Great each way bet here in the last, for a horse who comes here first up off the back of some very impressive jump outs. He has had two jump outs in preparation for this run, and has won both of them, none more impressive than the most recent one over 900m where he kept finding the line from the lead under a strong hold. His first up form is very strong, and although this 1200m distance is probably short of his best, I expect it to be very genuinely run which should make him particularly strong in the closing stages. He has drawn awkwardly in barrier 10, but if he manages to push across and lead or sit handy without being caught wide, I think he gives a great sight. Selections: 5-6-2-13
Rosehill Gardens R1 #12 Hide Your Heart $7.50 at PlayUp – Was keen on this 2yo a few weeks back in a strong race, but it was scratched and possibly saved for this race. From the Bjorn Baker yard, this Sebring filly has showed very good talent in all three of her trials, including a trial win over Sliders who then came out and won the Max Lees classic at Newcastle, and also lines up in this race at half the quote of Hide Your Heart. She likes to get back in her work, and has been finishing off under urgings with an electric turn of foot. Carries only 55kg here, and although lacks race day experience over a few rivals, I can see her being v very competitive. Selections: 12-6-5-3
Rosehill Gardens R6 #10 Bonvicini $4.40 at PlayUp – A horse from the Maher & Eustace stable who has been angling towards a win this entire preparation, all off the back of a great 3rd when fresh in the G2 Lets Elope in Melbourne. Three subsequent runs have all been strong, but has just not been able to break through. Now, at the peak of her prep, she comes down to Sydney and strikes a very winnable Listed race with only 53kg on her back. After what she has been racing in this prep, that is an unbelievable weight advantage. Drawn perfectly in barrier four, K McEvoy takes reigns, I think she is hard to beat here. Selections: 10-9-6-3
Ascot R9 (G1 Winterbottom Stakes) #1 Trekking $2.20 at PlayUp & Box Trifecta 1/7/12/16
