SATURDAY SET
FEATURES
G1 Thousand Guineas – 3. SKYBIRD – Rode for luck and got it at Moonee Valley but the win was of a good horse and maintained her unbeaten record. Will need some luck from the inside draw here but she easily looks the horse with the most upside and this a target.
G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes – 3. STRAIGHT ACER – Perhaps the run of the day last start in the Golden Eagle when back and wide on a fence dominated day. Super record at this trip and maps ideally with the in-form M Zahra hopping aboard. Quite keen on him running a race at $8/$9.
CAULFIELD Race 6 – 2. BRAVE MEAD – Giving another chance after he was somewhat disappointing at Flemington. Maybe didn’t see out the mile so back to 1400m a positive and just think he is a better horse than the favourite. Zahra gets back on and with good tempo here, he can finish over the top.
NEWCASTLE Race 1 – 1. GRAM & 4. EFHARISTO – Taking the Godolphin bracket here in a race that looks to lack substance at the top of the market. Gram has trialled up stylishly on two occasions and liked the improvement of Efharisto from his first to his second. The 900m perhaps against them but think the market has to congest and against 2 & 5.
NEWCASTLE Race 6 – 2. STOCKMAN & 5. STROKE OF LUCK – Another bracket play and keen to be with these two runners after good showings in the Rosehill Cup. That looks the clear lead-up and both horses unsuited there when racing away from the rails on the inside advantaged day. Both suited out in trip and good odds at $8 each of two.
NEWCASTLE Race 9 – 11. TAVI TIME – Trialled up superbly this preparation and was well backed first up when given a bye. This looks a real set up job for the Lees camp on the home track and suited out to the mile. Very keen.
NEWCASTLE Race 10 – 6. PHEARSON – Unlucky first up and then very good the other day at Goulburn when only just collared late by a good horse in Grebeni. Won’t get total control here but hoping can slide across from the wide draw and stalk 1 and 4 into the race. Going well. Won’t be losing on Marnix either who savaged the line first up and looks underrated by the market.
