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 last Group 1 of the year will be run at Ascot this weekend with WESTERN EMPIRE to jump a red hot favourite in the Kingston Town Classic. He looks like a potential star of Australian racing and should have no problems adding to his already impressive record. FRANKIE PINOT will get every chance to win at Pakenham with the postage stamp weight, while ZOUSTYLE will be too quick for his rivals in the George Moore at Doomben😍.
PERFECT ROUTE has found trouble at his most recent runs and looks a risk from the barrier 1 draw at Morphettville. The first up YULONG JANUARY will have his work cut out for him over 1400m first up and looks under the odds. ROUSSEAU has struggled to go the Sydney way in the past and is prohibitive odds at Rosehill with a big weight in what looks like an even race ❎.
Good Luck Punters!
Pakenham R5 – 7. Frankie Pinot @ $2.40 😍
FRANKIE PINOT has been a model of consistency in this prep with two wins and six minors from his eight runs. He always tries his heart out and gets in below the minimum with 51kgs after the 3kg claim for Madison Lloyd. He is beautifully placed and weighted to win. Yes please.
Doomben R9 – 5. Zoustyle @ $2.40 😍
ZOUSTYLE looked like a world-beater when winning his first six starts before frustrating connections with a number injury setbacks. He was brilliant when winning at the Sunshine Coast (below) at his first run for over a year and will improve for the hit out. He is three from three over the 1200m at Doomben and has a pull in the weights over his main dangers. I hope he can recapture some of his brilliant form this prep and expect him to be too good today. I’m on
ZOUSTYLE IS BACK 🔥🔥🔥 The @tonygollan sprinter first-up in over a year shows he’s still got it, claiming the Swiss Ace Plate in utterly arrogant style 💨 #QLDisRacing 🏇🏽 pic.twitter.com/QE8PFdBfJ8
— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) November 20, 2021
BET ON GEORGE MOORE STAKES HERE:
Ascot R8 – 7. Western Empire @ $1.40 😍
WESTEN EMPIRE is a star! It is that simple. The 4yo demolished his rivals when winning the Group 1 Railway Stakes last start (below) and will be even better over 1800m fir the Kingston Town Classic. The Peters/Pike/Williams team are looking to clean sweep the Perth Group 1s for the first time and bad luk looks their only danger. I can’t wait to see how WESTERN EMPIRE stacks up against the best in the Autumn.
Standby for the photo, but Western Empire looks to have held on in the Railway Stakes 😅 pic.twitter.com/YpWEz7DfUB
— Before You Bet Racing (@RacingBetAU) November 20, 2021
BET ON KINGSTON TOWN CLASSIC HERE:
Morphettville R2 – 1. Perfect Route @ $2.10 ❎
PERFECT ROUTE has endured a frustrating prep for connections with one win and some unlucky placings. He was held up for a run at a crucial stage last run and Todd Pannell takes the ride in a positive move. Gate 1 is a concern. Will he get stuck in the “coffin” and held up at a crucial stage? 60kgs is a big weight as well. Can he win? Yes. Will I be taking around even money? No thanks.
BET ON MORPHETTVILLE RACE 2 HERE:
Rosehill R6 – 2. Rousseau @ $2.60 ❎
The Waller-trained ROUSSEAU heads to Sydney after a successful campaign in Melbourne, where he recorded a win and a placing over 2040 at The Valley at his last two starts. He drops back in distance to 1800m today and jumps up in weight to 58kgs. He has never won going clockwise and I prefer to see horses going up in distance rather than dropping back. I will be betting around him.
Pakenham R8 – 1. Yulong January @ $2.60 ❎
YULONG JANUARY returns to the track after a 26-week absence and is the class runner in the race. He has won seven times over 1400m and takes on that trip first up with no recent public trials. He has one win from five first up runs and finished well back when first up over 1400m last prep. While he will win plenty more races, I’m not sure he represents any value this week. Pass.