It’s beginning to feel as though the world is returning to some normality. The NRL is back on, the AFL not far behind, and we are treated to another great Saturday of racing around the country. The Brisbane carnival continues to power on, with a big day of racing at mainly G3 and Listed level. The highlight looks to be the G3 Fred Best Classic, with a number of exciting 3yo’s going toe to toe over the Doomben 1350m journey. Over in the west, Belmont hosts a G3 program with the Belmont Sprint, and the wizard William Pike is on a double figure chance! Racing also from Caulfield and Morphettville, while down in Sydney, Rosehill will be hosting the Listed Lord Mayors Cup over 2000m. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has provided his thoughts on that very race, alongside four other best picks for the day, so have a look below.
Caulfield R5 #7 Gododdin $4.00 at PlayUp – This Godolphin galloper looks very well placed here at Caulfield today, coming off a very strong run last start at Flemington. She carried 60kg and sat on speed without cover, and was just nailed late by a horse with low weight who had the drop on them all. Rock hard fit now is Gododdin, and drops 4kg off that last start effort. She maps well from barrier 7 handy to the speed, which should be a bonus today since the rail is out 9m. A proven winner at Caulfield, she can turn the tables. Selections: 7-1-2-6
Caulfield R7 #6 Sikorsky $2.30 at PlayUp – Comes here fourth up off the back of a very dominant win at Flemington over the mile last start, and there is nothing that tells me the result will be any different today. Sticks to the 1600m journey, where he is now two from two. Technically comes up in grade here to a BM84, but strikes a pretty soft race and D Oliver sticks aboard. With any luck in running from barrier 10, he looks very hard to beat again. Selections: 6-8-13-11
Caulfield R9 #2 Carzoff $11.00 at PlayUp – Leaning for value in the lucky last of the day, and have found Carzoff at double figures who looks over the odds. He was good last start in the Super Titus race, and meets a number of key rivals here again today. He had an interrupted run in the straight, forced to duck and weave through horses and was still strong through the line. Drops 1.5kg here today thanks to the claim, which gives him a good weight swing on the rivals. Gets a lovely run from barrier four, and with any luck getting clear in the straight again, he should be right in the finish. Selections: 2-10-8-6
Rosehill R7 #18 Bottega $3.80 at PlayUp – Coming here rock hard fit off a good win in lower grade last start, he was dominant and no doubt it would have been a massive confidence boost to get his first win of the prep. Two starts back in the G3 Packer Plate, he finished behind Kinane, who was ultra dominant that day, and has since run very well in Brisbane in harder grade. Back up to 2000m here for Bottega looks no issue, and the wet track likewise is easily handled by this colt. Gets in with 54kg on the minimum, and can find better going where it counts thanks to the wide draw. Selections: 18-10-4-1
Doomben R1 #10 Gin ’n’ Bitters $3.30 at PlayUp – Comes here third up into the prep, and started her career with three straight wins, proving she is a horse with some great ability. They decided to test her last start in the Listed Chief De Beers, and she did not finish very far away at all, proving her worth at that level. Comes back to benchmark grade here, and is exceptionally weighted after the claim, only rising 1kg off her last run. Sticks to the 1000m which suits, and should have no issues around the Doomben circuit. Selections:10-3-13-7
