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!
With the Spring Racing Carnival approaching, the racing is starting to heat up! Dual Group 1 winner BEHEMOTH resumes in the Group 3 Spring Stakes at Morphettville and he looks ready to go first-up after a nice trial. LA MEXICANA was beaten in a tight photo when resuming last start and can make amends in the Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield. MAHIS ANGEL ploughed through the heavy conditions at Morphettville recently and will get conditions to suit once again this week. He can give punters a winner early on in the day 😍.
TIGER OF MALAY resumes after a let-up in the Up and Coming Stakes at Kembla Grange and the 61kgs looks too big an impost against some likely improvers. PROFIT good without being great at his last few runs and the even money on offer for him at Eagle Farm looks under the odds while STRATHMORE ROSE will need to reverse a poor second-up record to get the prize at Belmont ❎.
Good Luck Punters!
Morphettville R3 – 1. Mahis Angel @ $1.70 😍
MAHIS ANGEL has been a dominant winner of his last two including a 3+ length win on a heavy 10 at his last start (below) when he powered through the conditions while his rivals struggled. Back on a heavy track again this week and only going up half a kilo in weight he looks very well placed in the expected heavy conditions. The Travis Doudle trained 6yo won’t be a big price, but he will be winning. The best bet of the day.
.@DoudleRacing galloper Mahis Angel closes the card impressively with Paul Gatt aboard ✅ pic.twitter.com/Dr1fgYAVeh
— Racing SA (@RacingSA) July 10, 2021
BET ON MORPHETTVILLE RACE 3 HERE:
Morphettville R6 – 1. Behemoth @ $2.10 😍
Dual Group 1 winner BEHEMOTH resumes in the Group 3 Spring Stakes and will be hard to hold out. He was a strong winner of the Listed Durbridge Stakes earlier this year (below) at his most recent first-up run and the 1200m this week looks ideal. The big boy has trialled well and looks set for a big Spring. Expect him to be too good for his rivals.
https://twitter.com/pedigreeupdate/status/1355392328379162625
Caulfield R9 – 7. La Mexicana @ $2.40 😍
LA MEXICANA chased strongly to narrowly miss first up, beaten by an Olly peach aboard PLAQUETTE (below). The Anthony & Sam Freedman trained mare is two from two second up and star hoop Jamie Kah retains the ride. The step up to 1200m for the Listed Regal Roller Stakes looks ideal and she has won at the track and trip before. I’m on.
Great race! 📸
Plaquette went through along the inside and nailed La Mexicana on the post. @godolphin pic.twitter.com/pzLmz91AWt
— Racing.com (@Racing) July 24, 2021
BET ON REGAL ROLLER STAKES HERE:
Eagle Farm R4 – 3. Profit @ $2 ❎
The Anderson trained PROFIT looked set for a good campaign winning first-up when well supported over 1400m. However, he hasn’t looked like winning in his most recent runs in tougher company and gets back into an Open handicap this week. Jaden Lloyd takes 3kgs off and the 1600m should be more to the 5yos liking. Expect him to settle well back before powering home. Can he win? Of course. Am I taking the short price that he will recapture his best form? No thanks! He looks under the odds.
BET ON EAGLE FARM RACE 4 HERE:
Kembla Grange R8 – 1. Tiger of Malay @ $2.60 ❎
The first up TIGER OF MALAY finds himself in an easier race than his recent attempts and punters have not missed him in early betting ($3 – $2.60). The Richard and Michael Freedman trained 3yo colt ran in a number of the feature 2yo races, with his best result a 3rd in the Group 1 JJ Atkins Plate in Brisbane at his last start before spelling. On paper, he brings the best form into the race. He will need to carry 61kgs in his first 3yo start. How much have his rivals improved since their 2yo runs? I’m taking him on with the big weight.
BET ON UP AND COMING STAKES HERE:
Belmont R5 – 5. Strathmore Rose @ $2.70 ❎
STRATHMORE ROSE was narrowly defeated in the shadows of the post first up when well backed and has only finished out of the money once in her last eight runs. Interestingly connections have replaced a senior jockey with apprentice Madi Derrick who takes 2kgs off. The Roy Rogers trained 4yo is ultra-consistent and will try her heart out. BUT, all four of her wins have come at the Albany track and she has flopped at her previous second-up runs. Not for me this week.