Morphettville Parks Preview: Saturday 30/4/16
- Apr 29, 2016
- 13 min read
Picture: Atkins Photography
We're racing on the Parks circuit this Saturday (except for the Chairman's Stakes, which will be on the outer track) and it looks to be another really strong card. There are four stakes races on the card with two Group 3 races, the 2000m Chairman's Stakes and the 1400m Sires' Produce Stakes and two Listed events, the 1400m Nitshcke Stakes and the 1400m City Of Adelaide Handicap.
The track is rated a Good (4) at the time of writing, with some rain forecast for Thursday night and Friday. I wouldn't imagine we would be racing on anything worse than a Soft track, but it's worth looking at our previews with the fact it could be wet in mind. The rail is in the true position on the Parks circuit and is out +6m from the 1200m to the winning post, out +3m the remainder on the outer track.
Race 1 2400m Where's Lewy Grantham Handicap
No age restriction. BenchMark 90. No sex restriction. Handicap.
It's only a field of 7 here and of those Space, Stimulatte and Tunes should head towards the front early on.
Master Of Arts ran well in a strong 2000m BM90 at Mornington and then came to Morphettville and won well in a 2000m BM70. The drop in weight back to this class helps him here. It's the first time he's been out to this trip but he gives every indication he will run it out. He's also in at Warnambool on Tuesday so be aware he may not run here.
Bondeiger was 2nd in a Victorian Derby in 2014 but has struggled to get back to that type of form since. His 4.1L 4th to Amralah in the 2400m Herbert Power does read well for this and his run two back over 2000m in a BM90 at Mornington (beating Master Of Arts home) was very good. He was plain over 2000m at Caulfield last time out but perhaps staying at 2000m didn't suit there. Up in trip to 2400m here suits.
Rich River was good last start over 2500m when beaten 0.2L by High Church. That was his first go at this sort of trip and he ran well and must be considered again down in the weights.
Tunes was 3rd to Signoff (albeit beaten a mile) in the G3 Lord Reims over 2600m before running a brave 0.2L 2nd in the Adelaide Cup. After that he went to the 2400m Mornington Cup and was well back all the way. It's worth noting that he is 4:2-2-0 on the Parks track and may run well again here.
Flying Casino was terrible last start in finishing a 15L last over 2000m behind Killarney Kid. Before that he was racing well and his form at this distance (4:1-1-1) is good. Promote him if it is wet. Stimulatte ran nicely last start beaten 1.4L to Killarney Kid. The step up in trip suits him and he may be able to dictate terms from the front here. Space won well at Pakenham over 2500m but his runs either side of that were poor.
Advice: Master Of Arts looks to be a top chance if he's here. He gets every opportunity to run the trip out with the small field and light weight. The $7.50 they are offering for Bondeiger looks overs but you won't get that should Master Of Arts be scratched.
Race 2 1950m UBET Adelaide's Festival Of Racing Handicap
No age restriction. BenchMark 75. No sex restriction. Handicap.
Rooboy should cross from out wide and That's A Slab will likely push through from the inside. Freedoms, Almahstique and Zayak can all press forward too.
This looks to be a really open race with six horses under double figure odds. Have Plenty ran well when 6th beaten 4.4L to Mihany/Metro Cowboy and then drifted back and ran home well to finish 3rd behind two good horses in Master Of Arts/Sure You Can beaten 1.2L. He's ready to win now but carries 4kg more than the minmum.
Rooboy's 2nd's to Adirondack and Loncava were good before being okay when back in trip last time out. Back to this trip and with 51.5kg after the claim for Spain he looks the best chance of those that will head forward.
Joyful Journey is one of three Tony McEvoy's runners in this race and has claims. She was okay at her first two runs this preparation and her breeding would suggest that the rise in trip will suit her well.
Streaming By won a Class 1 over 2400m at Kembla Grange way back in October 2014 so this trip won't worry him. He's only had two starts since then, the latest a good effort 1st up over 1200m at Balaklava. He's up sharply in trip 2nd up but is a chance to run well again.
Zayak ran 4th in the same race as Have Plenty last time and was easily the best of the on speed runners. There looks to be pace in this race but he'll do no work from barrier 3 and can run well.
Almahstique was a good winner over 1700m at Gawler last start 2nd up and must be considered a chance on that effort. That's A Slab is racing well but I fancy this might be too hard. The same can be said about Freedoms.
Advice: Have Plenty brings the strongest form lines in to this event but has to give the others weight as a result. Watch Shamardal filly Joyful Journey out to this trip for the first time.
Race 3 1000m Serafino Wines Handicap (Heat 10 of SA Sprint Series)
No age restriction. BenchMark 82. No sex restriction. Handicap.
Plenty of speed in this with Jennyfromtheblock, Alabama Missile, Debeersonus and Classy Jack all capable of heading towards the lead. Lucky Symbol, Shaf, Deheiros, Stratumsphere and African Pulse can all settle handy too.
Shaf is absolutely flying and steps up in grade again here. His last two wins in BM75 grade have been dominant and he's drawn perfectly in 4 to get a good run behind the speed and be hitting the line late. Nielsen rides again and he is in blistering form of late.
Jennyfromtheblock won well at Moonee Valley over 955m first up and then ran 2nd to Tarco (since twice stakes placed) over 1050m. She failed in the Oakbank Stakes but many horses have failed at that track before and bounced back to win. She must carry 57kg after Spain's claim and has barrier 12 to deal with in a race with plenty of speed.
Lucky Symbol excels at 1000m and is first up after a short break (4:3-0-0 first up). He draws favourably in barrier 3 to get a good run on or just behind the speed and be hard to beat.
The key to Alabama Missile may be getting back to the Parks track where she races best (10:4-2-2). She wasn't beaten far in the Oakbank Stakes after settling further back than she usually does. Barrier 13 makes it a bit difficult in this however.
Deheiros is a very good horse, as his earnings of over $750k suggest, but he is 1st up after a nearly a year and may find this a bit short. If the speed is on up front as it looks like it may be he could be the one blousing them late, however. Usain Dane had some handy form as a 3 year old in Victoria before coming to the Stokes yard. He trailled quite nicely in preparation for this. Watch.
Advice: Winning form is good form and Shaf should be hard to beat again although he's up in grade. Big watch on Deheiros first up. If he's fit enough he is the best horse in the race and should be running home.
Race 4 1400m UBET SA Sires' Produce Stakes - Group 3 $120k
Two-Years-Old. No class restriction. No sex restriction. Set Weights.
With limited speed data available in this event it's difficult to predict the speed. Sweet Varden, Toyshop and Outback Rain could be amongst those vying for the early lead.
Smart Manoeuvre and Morvada were easily the best of the horses that come through the Breeders' Stakes on the 16th of April. That form looks decent. The race was dominated by those on speed and Smart Manoeuvre was clearly the best of the backmarkers. She shapes as though the 1400m will suit. Morvada was good as well and the trip should suit him also.
Flames Of Life was okay on debut. He looks a horse that will get further than this, but the 1400m looks ideal here based on his debut over 1050m. The race he came through was as strong as the Group race on the same day in my opinion. He's backing up after his first start which can bring a few undone, but he wouldn't be there if he wasn't right to go.
Sweet Varden was 3rd to Neapolitan two back and that horse has run well since. After that she was 2nd to Moqla. She's yet to run a bad race and the 1400m should suit.
Flying Jess ran well behind a smart one on the Synthetic track at Pakenham over 1200m last start. Toyshop ran well in what looks to be a strong Maiden and the 1400m should suit her here.
Billet Doux ran the fastest last 200m of the Breeders' Stakes even though he finished 9th beaten over 5L. It might pay to keep an eye on him out to 1400m.
Advice: Smart Manoeuvre looks hard to beat in this off it's good run last time. I think Flames Of Life might be the main danger at good each way odds.
Race 5 1300m MAC Drink Driving? Grow Up Handicap (Heat 9 Autumn Series)
No age restriction. BenchMark 82. No sex restriction. Handicap.
Speed should come from Ventic, Ample On Offa, Mullinger Lane and Anfitriona. Tycoon Queen and Chestnut Charlie can be handy too.
Chestnut Charlie was quite good first up over 1200m. He's a well performed horse and goes well at this distance (6-2-1-1) and track (11:3-2-3). From barrier 3 with 56kg after Jones' claim he's a top chance here.
Mullinger Lane was a good winner at Balaklava on the 13th of April over 1400m. He looks to have come back a better horse this time in and barrier 5 suits here. 0/5 on the Parks track is a worry but he gets his chance to change that in this.
Master Sommelier is having a very good preparation. He broke through for a win on the main track over 1250m in a BM70 and then ran very well when 2nd beaten 0.2L to Casino Wizard over 1200m on the 16th of April. Barrier 2 suits perfectly here and he should be able to put himself in a good position near the speed.
Bascule won two in a row over 1400m at Sandown, but I think they were flattering wins. In those victories he defeated stayers High Church/Master Of Arts two back and Tenacitus three back. Last time out he did run well when 2nd to Here To There though. He's freshened up and having his first run for Darren Weir.
Coachella was very good first up and then ran on well again second up behind Regal Magnus over 1200m. I don't think staying at 1200m second up suited her and the extra 100m helps here. Barrier 15 is difficult though.
Bradman ran on well behind Master Sommelier last time. He drops 5kg on that run and should be ready third up. Anfitriona was terrible last time but if she can recapture her form from her first up run when beaten 0.5L to Rough Justice over this trip then she is right in this. Tycoon Queen was really good behind Rationality and gets out to a trip she likes. Barrier 17 is no help. Fastcar is a chance on his last couple of runs.
Advice: A ridiculously open race here. The value could lie with Chestnut Charlie and Mullinger Lane. Both horses are drawn to get the right run to be winning and are weighted to do so.
Race 6 1400m HC Nitschke Stakes - Listed $100k
Three-Years-Old. No class restriction. No sex restriction. Set Weights plus Penalties.
There looks to be speed in this event. American Star, Attack The Line and Little Bita Spunk can go forward. Catch A Fire, Serenade and Battle Brewing can be handy also.
Rageese is a horse that has shown considerable talent in his career to date but has proven to be unreliable at times. He ran 4th in the Golden Rose beaten 2.9L, 3rd in the Stan Fox to Press Statement and 5th in the Caulfied Guineas but his first two runs this preparation were a 10th and 11th beaten a fair way both times. He was a dominant winner at his first start for Darren Weir third up and must be a top chance again in this. He has drawn poorly in barrier 13 though.
Serenade is a horse that has always shown ability and may be finally putting it all together now. After a top first up 5th behind Petits Filous she went to a Fillies & Mares BM70 at Ballarat over 1200m and was classes above her opposition. Everything I've seen from her suggests 1400m is perfect and I'm expecting a big run here. 54kg and barrier 6 is ideal.
Catch A Fire won the Group 2 1400m Angus Armanasco at Caulfield three starts back in dominant fashion against a quality group of fillies. She was disappointing in the Kewney after that but then ran well in the slower part of the track at Sandown behind Rageese/Demonstrate. She's poorly in at the weights and draws barrier 12 which makes it dificult for her.
American Star was super last start behind Don't Doubt Mamma/Miss Gunpowder when leading and fighting on to be beaten only 1.5L. On the back up and up to 1400m here seems to suit. He may have to go forward again from barrier 14.
Beautiful Flyer looks a really promising type and could easily go close in this. After winning an Open 3 year old race on Adelaide Cup Day she has run two very good 2nd's when poorly in at the weights. She carries 54kg here today and, unlike a lot of the fancied runners, has drawn well in barrer 4.
Advice: Rageese looks the class but he could find trouble from barrier 13 and $1.85 looks poisonous. Serenade is drawn to get the perfect run and if Rageese finds trouble she could be the one to upset the short priced favourite.
Race 7 1400m Holdfast Insurance City Of Adelaide Handicap - Listed $100k
No age restriction. No class restriction. No sex restriction. Quality.
Riziz should go forward from his good draw with Rationality, Mr Backchat, Kiss Me Ketut and Casino Wizard all able to press forward. There doesn't look to be a heap of speed here.
Rationality is backing up a week after her easy first up win over 1200m in Fillies & Mares BM80 grade. She was wide without cover and on the speed and won a lot easier then the 1L margin suggests. This is clearly a rise in class but she looks right up to this level. I like her at 1400m and she's drawn to get the gun run from barrier 7. 54kg helps her immensely also. In saying that, I tend to be very wary of horses on the back up after their first up run as it brings many unstuck.
Zebulon won over 1400m as a 2 year old beating the smart Profit Share and then ran 3rd to Crafty over 1600m. His last run was in February 2015 which was a 2nd in the Group 2 1400m Autumn Stakes at Caulfield. He trialled well in preparation for this first up attempt. He's a dual acceptor in Melbourne too. If he was to win this first up from barrier 11 it would be a great training performance.
Riziz was good first up and then drew two awful barriers and had bad runs in transit at his last two. Forgiving both of those efforts. He has a good 1400m record (4:1-2-0) and has drawn a good gate today in barrier 4.
Dylanson was a good winner second up over 1200m defeating Riziz and then ran 3rd in the 1600m CS Hayes. He was beaten for speed in the Manihi last time over 1100m. Back out to 1400m helps him here.
October Date has looked a good horse at times but he was bad first up. He gets the blinkers on today and may improve significantly.
Guest Of Honour is an interesting runner. He was a European horse brought out for the Cox Plate but went like a busted you-know-what in that race. He was since left here in the care of the Hayes & Dabernig team. His last start 4th to Nevis was easily his best in Australia but I think he's hard pressed to win this event.
Advice: Rationality looks a really smart horse to my eye. The race looks set up for her and the price looks good too but I'm cautious of the quick back up this early in her prep. Big watch on Zebulon if he's here. He's very smart and it may pay to have a saver bet on him.
Race 8 2020m Chairman's Stakes (to be run on the outer track) - Group 3 $120k
Three-Years-Old. No class restriction. No sex restriction. Set Weights.
The speed looks to be coming from Colonel Custer, Rong Door Reggie, Cheners and Duxeva. It looks moderate at best on paper.
Mail It In was clearly the run of the race in the Port Adelaide Guineas. He drew barrier 15 there and was 3 wide without cover for the first half of the race, then got flushed 4 and 5 wide coming to the 1000m/800m. He was the 2nd widest runner on the home turn and had no right to run on and be beaten only 2L into 5th. Prior to that he was a dominant winner to the tune of 4.4L over the mile. Unfortunately he's drawn 12 here so he needs luck, but if he gets it he will be super hard to hold out. He's by Reset so the 2000m shouldn't worry him either.
Another Leon Macdonald runner Royal Rumble was good beating the older horses in the CS Hayes three starts back. He was then unsuitably back in trip to 1250m and ran well, running 3rd to Illustrious Lad. Last start he went to the Vobis Gold Reef over 1600m at Caulfield and was stuck in the worst part of the track but was still good, finishing 4th beaten 2.65L. He gets to 2000m for the first time, draws barrier 3 and is bred to relish the 2000m.
Howard Be Thy Name had everything go right last start in winning the 1800m Port Adelaide Guineas, but he was strong through the line and won well. He was 2nd in the Tasmanian Derby over 2200m two starts back so the 2000m shouldn't be an issue. He draws barrier 7 and is every chance to win again here.
War Legend was 3rd to Howard Be Thy Name in the Port Adelaide Guineas. He settled back worse than midfield and tracked the winner all the way. He was left a bit flat footed when they sprinted but ran the fastest last 400m/200m splits of the race. He ran 5th to Tally in the Alistair Clark beaten 4.75L at his only go over 2000m.
Patch Adams cannot buy a good draw at the moment. He drew 17/17 last week in the Port Adelaide Guineas and tracked Mail It In everywhere throughout the run and finished 6th beaten 3.9L. He's drawn 14/14 here and it's going to be very hard for him again but he is racing well enough to be competitive.
Advice: If Mail It In had drawn a gate I'd be diving in to him here. Barrier 12 makes it hard for him but if he gets luck he can definitely win this. It looks a good race and watch closely for the future as we head towards the SA Derby.
Our Bets
Race 2 - Have Plenty - 1 unit win @ $4.80
Race 4 - Smart Manoeuvre - 1 unit win @ $3.20
Race 4 - Flames Of Life - 1 unit place @ $4.80
Race 8 - Mail It In - 1 unit win @ $5.50
*Prices are as they appear on Sportsbet at time of writing*
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