Placing a bet on a favourite – some punters can’t get enough of them, while others steer clear of them. Racing writer Justin Devine looks at some of the more fancied runners for this weekend’s horse racing and decides if he loves them 😍 or if he should leave ❎ them!
Winning form is good form and three last start winners look capable of going on with the job this weekend. SHOOTING FOR GOLD is a sprinter who looks well above average and is unbeaten second-up. He should have no problem getting the prize at Eagle Farm. EXPAT led all the way in heavy going last start and can repeat that effort this week aided by the 2kg claim for Tom Sherry at Randwick. SOUTH PACIFIC broke through a much-deserved victory last start and looks a stayer with plenty of improvement left. He will be too strong for his rivals at Flemington😍.
LA CHEVALEE has been an expensive horse to follow in recent weeks with three placings and no wins this prep. She will find one or two better than her again at Randwick. DEGRAVES was very green when winning on Australian debut and that behaviour is a worry and he looks under the odds at Flemington. LALA’S FOLLY is likely to settle well back along the rails in Adelaide which is a concern on the leader biased Parks circuit. I’m happy to take him on! ❎
Good Luck Punters!
Eagle Farm R2 – 2. Shooting For Gold @ $1.80 😍
SHOOTING FOR GOLD made it five wins from nine starts with a strong win first up and will be better for the run. He is undefeated second up and has drawn to get a soft run in the race for Baylee Northdurft. Expect him to power past his rivals in the run home. The best bet of the day.
BET ON EAGLE FARM RACE 2 HERE:
Randwick R9 – 1. Expat @ $3.10 😍
EXPAT jumped to the front and gave nothing else a chance when winning last start in heavy going and looks capable of doing the same this week. The Newnham trained filly will only carry 1kg extra ths week after the claim and meets a field containing the “usual suspects”. She jumps to the front and they wont catch her. I’m on.
Flemington R8 – 3. South Pacific @ $2.05 😍
SOUTH PACIFIC was never in doubt when winning over 2540m last start, bringing up his first Australian win in the process. He was strong to the line and looks ready to step up to 2800m this week. The Maher and Eustace training combination are the best conditioner of stayers in Australi and leading jockey Jamie Kah retains the ride. He ticks all the boxes.Yes please.
BET ON FLEMINGTON RACE 8 HERE:
Randwick R4 – 8. La Chevalee @ $3.10 ❎
LA CHEVALEE has recorded three placings this prep and is “almost there” for a win. She has drawn to get an economical run from gate 1 and she steps up to 1800m. Is she a non-winner? She hasn’t won past 1400m so far in her career and looks under the odds for mine. Pass.
Flemington R6 – 8. Degraves @ $2.70 ❎
DEGRAVES was well backed on his Australian debut for Team Williams and won despite racing very greenly in the run home. He will be better for the experience BUT this is a harder assignment and his bad manners are a concern. The 4yo is the best horse in the race but can Will Price get his mind on the job? I’m not taking the short price to find out. No thanks.
BET ON FLEMINGTON RACE 6 HERE:
Morphettville Parks R6 – 1. Lala’s Folly @ $3.50 ❎
The Hickmott trained LALA’S FOLLY has been in moderate form of late and has come up as a $3.50 favourite in early betting markets. From gate 1 he is mapped to get settle well back in the run, which is a worry on the Parks circuit as is the 60.5kgs he will carry after the claim. The stable may be flying, but LALA’S FOLLY is well under the odds. I will be betting around him!
BET ON MORPHETTVILLE RACE 6 HERE: