Best Bets – Wednesday 23rd October

I really liked the way this SISU SPIRIT attacked the line on debut at Newcastle over 1200m. He wasn’t ridden like nearly all Waterhouse and Bott runners are, instead he was allowed to sit off the pace yet despite being rather green in the straight he knuckled down to his task late and failed by a nostril. May well lead this time and certainly is strong late. Have him and quinella with Leconfield who is ready to pounce.

We all know that horses run better for Joao Moreira than most riders so I’m banking on that here with NIGHT PEOPLE. He goes well this grade. He resumes here and may take up the early running with Joao holding him together. I think he can win this from Dramaticus who won only start in weaker maiden grade but looked comfortable.

I have a big concern about Lavalier’s ability to stay. We see that he is honest but I think once he runs past 1600m, he struggles late so I’m on OXFORD BLUE here. He’s on the way up and probably leads these. Won a maiden easily last start and is bred to run all day. I’ll quinella them both.

I’m always a believer that class wins races and as such old VOW AND DECLARE is the class horse here. He isn’t racing as he used too but he still has talent and he’s drawn perfectly too. The condensed weight scale suits and he is very fit going for his 4th Melbourne Cup start should he show up here. I like him to win from Muramasa who is in fine form.

Timing is everything and I think MODOWN being 3rd up in a Bm 78 is perfect timing over this trip. He is stakes placed in the past over 1600m and he has Blake Shinn to ride. Looks a great each way for mine.