Spring racing / Steve Mcghee / 02 November 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

The rest of the card on Melbourne Cup day with some punting pointers for bettors.

Race 1-Listed $100,000 AGL RENEWABLE ENERGY STAKES (1000m)
 
SHAAHEQ is on debut from the David Hayes stable and they are famous for their juvenile plunges, so be alert for the late support. INDULGENT is in a very savvy betting stable and the cross between sire Stravinsky and a Danehill dam has been shown to produce winners. She was an easy trial winner in early October. INDIGO won a trial well a fortnight ago, and being drawn the rail on the flat side that should work as a good guide in a mostly inexperienced field. SKYEWITHDIAMONDS has an astute trainer and the booking of Kerrin McEvoy is an interesting sign,
 
Race 2-$100,000 SCHIAVELLO PLATE (1700m)
 
BUBBLE BELOW had no luck with room last start in a Listed mile for mares won by Lady Lynette, and  that is the key form line for a race like this.  She has blinkers on for the first time and the rise to 1700m looks ideal for this off-pacer mare that has never gone a bad race lifetime. BASHFUL GIRL actually beat home Bubble Below by one spot last start and must be included. Has won up to 1700m. LAMARR finished seventh in a Listed race for mares last start, which Bashful Girl (fifth) and Bubble Below (sixth) both ran well in, and actually started equal favourite. Michael Rodd is back aboard on Tuesday and the mare won third up at the mile last campaign for him. BEAUCOUP was not that far away last start in a different race won by Lady Lynnette and suited here. Craig Newitt goes with this mare, after riding her and Bashful Girl last start, so respect his judgment.
 
Race 3-$100,000 LAVAZZA A MODO MIO (2800m)
 
COURTNEY is a well-travelled mare but she can stay and likes ground with cushion in it, so 2800m here under handicap conditions from a good draw with Glen Boss atop points to her finishing first or second. Her fourth two starts back at Randwick over 2400m at G3 was a major pointer for this, as Boss was aboard for the first time and gets back on here. Last year in this very race under 53kg she finished second to a Bart Cummings runner (Dandaad) and should form the quinella with that stable again. THINK MONEY is still a maiden but has won over 200K. Her trainer Bart Cummings wanted to run her in the Melbourne Cup but it is hard to get a maiden into certain qualifying races, so she will jump favourite in this. Michael Rodd takes the mount from a good draw.
 
Race 4-Listed $150,000 HERALD SUN STAKES (1400m)
 
ORTENSIA was a good thing beaten last start at G1 under WFA conditions,, when she got out  late into the clear.. If the mare from her good draw had been able to hold up the trail (the winner of the race Apache Cat got this spot and came through along the fence to score) then she would have won easily. At her previous outing, when fresh up and starting favourite, she ran a good sixth here at Flemington down the straight track in the G2 Gilgai (1200m). It is impossible to see her beaten against her own sex at 1400m. DANEHILL SMILE ran a ripper fresh up at Caulfield hitting the line nicely late, and from a soft draw should show improvement on a more suitable bigger track. Corey Brown goes with this mare over Symphony Miss giving bettors a hint.
 
Race 5-$100,000 SCHWEPPES TONIC 1000 (1000m)
 
DEFINITELY READY is a looker and goes fast, plus the unbeaten gelding  has yet to be asked to find top gear. Look out when they keep the throttle open all the way to the post, as he has run some slick time already. First look at Flemington on raceday. DANCESCAPE might off some value; she's freshened up just a tad, and the filly is suited by the 1000m here along with 53kg. And this is her most helpful draw this campaign. TARIKS goes best freshened and at this track with senior rider Danny Nikolic atop can only help matters.
 
Race 6-Listed $150,000 LEXUS HYBRID PLATE (1400m)
 
MIRACULOUS MISS has a terrible draw here but as a backrunner it may not be such a disadvantage. She has caught the eye a couple of times this season and been beaten by bad draws and/or track bias. If they go hard she swamps them. SO ANYWAY was game in defeat last start under 59kg and before that finished a good fourth in the G3 race that Headway finished second in, so from a good draw here must improve her chances. KANZAN finished an eyecatching third last start and is a lightly tried looker that will enjoy the roomier Flemington track , PASS THE PARCEL has a soft draw here and did okay last start, plus she too should revel in the bigger course.
 
Race 8-Listed $150,000 JOHNNIE WALKER STAKES (1800m)
 
MAJESTICAL wilted last start from close on settling down, as the heavy track and 58kg combined slowed him down like an anchor. He is drawn well for a horse that was at one stage on a Cups path. STOKEHOUSE was not suited by the slow footing fresh up two starts back and wilted last start under 59kg but drops 5.5kg here third up, He has won at Flemington before and is unbeaten in two attempts at the 1800m plus he goes best in front. MISSION CRITICAL after two runs in from a spell does look nicely weighted and drawn in this. The 1800m and Flemington is perfect.
 
Race 9-$100,000 MSS SECURITY SPRINT (1200m)
 
MINNESOTA SHARK was tardy fresh up then recovered into traffic but didn't get much room. . The straight track at Flemington should help if they go quick. ROCK HOME LATE is a fresh up specialist and drawn the ace, plus is already a course winner. HERE DE ANGELS goes quick and will try and run this field out of breath. His last start win under 59kg was ridiculously easy and although up 1.5kg here he is the one to catch.. Bettors please take not that this sprinter is better around a bend. BOCUSE was plunged fresh up but got home too late over the 1000m but the extra 200m here is his best trip. He has never encountered the straight track at Flemington before, but is a second-up specialist, with three wins and a fourth in four runs in that state. AHDASHIM got blown away last start  by Here De Angels but is1.5kg better weighted this time and better drawn.
 
Race 10-$100,000 THE TAB BIG6 (1400m)
 
HUXSSEN has been a huge video tip in each of his four runs this campaign, which have all come at G2 or Listed level, so back to this grade has lengths over these on ability. The ace draw is no help here for a natural off pacer, so it will make for an exciting race, but given a fair crack at them this gelding will win. He's unbeaten at the 1400m in three attempts, and Matthew Allen is the right man for the job, with a record of four rides for three wins and a fourth. ROYAL STRIKER  improved last start at Caulfield and is third up here from a good draw, so should be spot on. SILKY SMOOTH finished one place behind Royal Striker last start, so must go into the mix, but do consider that he has another awkward draw here and is  3.5kg worse at the weights compared with Royal Striker, even though Flemington is more his go.