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!
The Group 1 Railway Stakes has been dominated by the Peters/Williams and Pike combination in recent years and WESTERN EMPIRE can continue that dominance at Ascot this week. DUCHESS OF DORSETT looks the best of the day at the standalone Ballarat meeting, while the speedy MALKOVICH can reward his loyal followers with a win in The Warra at Kembla Grange😍.
MARABI returns to the track after a 35-week hiatus and may need the run at Ballarat over the 1100m. She looks under the odds. FLYING MISSILE and CHILL WITH TEEJAY haven’t been able to salute in recent weeks despite having every chance in the run. I will be betting against the pair at Morphettville and Ascot respectively ❎.
Good Luck Punters!
Ballarat R4 – 6. Duchess of Dorsett @ $2.10 😍
DUCHESS OF DORSETT is flying this prep with two wins and a third from three runs and looks well placed this week. She battled on strongly down the straight in the WHR Grand Handicap during Cup week (below) and Linda Meech has won on her before. She will box seats in the run and will only need even luck in running to get the prize. I’m on!
The future looks bright for It'sourtime. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/0vwsN5m4aM
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2021
Kembla Grange R7 – 3. Malkovich @ $2.20 😍
It has been a “nearly” campaign for the speedy MALKOVICH this Spring. The sprinter has been run down in the shadows of the post at both his Melbourne runs including a last start second in the Mumm Stakes (below). There was a big gap back to the rest of the field on both occasions. He makes his own luck in the lead and Australia’s best jockey James McDonald rides the 4yo for the first time. Now that is a positive jockey change! He can win The Warra. Yes please.
Halvorsen is back to his best! 💪
Another horse who loves the @FlemingtonVRC straight.
@GriffithsdeKock @RacingVictoria pic.twitter.com/d9eQHGnuBf
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 4, 2021
Ascot R8 – 16. Western Empire @ $1.80 😍
WESTERN EMPIRE made it five wins in a row with a dominant first-up win in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes last start (below) and the frightening thing for his rivals is that he has plenty of improvement left in him! The Williams/Peters/Pike team have made the Group 1 Railway Stakes their own in recent years and WESTERN EMPIRE may be one of the best gallopers they have had in some time. From a good gate and with 53kgs he will get all the favours in the run. He only needs even luck to add a Group 1 to his CV.
https://twitter.com/WorldRacing1/status/1454381044623360002
Ballarat R6 – 8. Marabi @ $2.30 ❎
The unbeaten MARABI returns to the track after 35 weeks and is undoubtedly the most interesting runner for the data at Ballarat. He has been scratched a couple of times heading into this run and has put away moderate opposition at her first three runs. Is she a star who will be too classy over 1100m first up? Will she need he hit out after a lengthy break? More questions than answers for me and I’m happy to bet around her this week with a view to her improving for the run. Not this week.
Morphettville R7 – 7. Chill With Teejay @ $3.20 ❎
CHILL WITH TEEJAY has had every chance when placing at both runs since resuming this prep and will once again go around at a short price this weekend. The 3kg claim will help but I’ve been burned already this prep. No thanks!
BET ON MORPHETTVILLE RACE 7 HERE:
Ascot R5 – 6. Flying Missile @ $2.60 ❎
FLYING MISSILE has been a tad expensive so far this prep, with a couple of placings when well supported. The Filly seemed to struggle running out a strong 1400m last start and drops back to 1200m for the Listed Placid Ark Stakes this week. I’m reluctant to back a horse dropping back in distance and this is a race with plenty of depth. She looks under the odds for mine.
BET ON PLACID ARK STAKES HERE: