We saw some massive scores last weekend thanks to Glory Daze ($39/$6.90) and Magnaspin ($74/$11) surprising us at big odds and with yet another Heavy 9 at Rosehill predicted we could see another weekend of 100+ points required to win! Outside of Rosehill we’ll be looking to the later races at Caulfield and Eagle Farm for our Saturday Showdown.
Caulfield Race 6 1600m BM100
Lims Saltoro $8/$2.60
This is a wide open race with 6 of the 11 runners in the $5.50 – $8 range outside of the favourite Jimmy the Bear who’s paying $4.20, so it’s not a race I’m really keen on the real roughies of which there aren’t many. Lims Saltoro comes to Australia obviously wanting further than his 1st up effort over 1400m where he was only 1.6L off the favourite Jimmy the Bear and I think there’s plenty of improvement to come as he steps out in distance. He boasts a perfect 2/2 at the Mile and 2/2 2nd up which reads well here. Whilst this won’t matter much to you guys, Jason Maskiell rode my 1st ever winner as an owner so I’ve followed him closely and I like him on horses that like to lead, which I think he will do here and I reckon he’s on the class horse and I’m happy to take the $8
Caulfield Race 8 1100m Bel Esprit Stakes
GeeGee Gemstone $34/$7.50
Sticking with the Tasmanian theme, I’ve watched this fella dominate our 2/3/4yo races here in Tassie and Stuart Gandy doesn’t send them over if they aren’t there with a chance to win. There will be plenty of speed on in this race and GeeGee Gemstone has 5 wins from 6 starts at this distance in Tasmania and 3 from 4 1st up. Anthony Darmanin our leading jockey knows him well and I’m happy to have him at $34’s watching for him late if the leaders set a nice hot tempo. Twin Perfection has been in my Blackbook for a long time and is also a good chance at $23’s and should get a run just behind the speed and will be finishing strongly.
Caulfield Race 9 1200m BM84
Talbragar $17/$5
Another blackbooker who’s had his issues, having only had the 14 starts for a 7yo he’s never gotten a good crack at a prep. Clearly has ability when right, he ran in a Group 2 last prep. Seemed to have come back in good order after 2 solid trials and a decent 1st up run beaten only 2 lengths. The favourite will be hard to beat here but we can’t be taking $4.20 on Dirty Grin for the showdown and Talbragar will be ahead of it, off the fence and with the 3kg claim sticking to the 1200m 2nd up should be able to handle a wide run so I’m happy to cross my fingers and hope things are all good with him and if he gets even luck will definately be somewhere in the finish.
Rosehill Race 9 1800m BM78
Good Prize $11/$3.40
Winning form is good form and this 4yo is looking to make it 5 wins in a row as he tackles his toughest race to date. Has proven he handles the heavy, as all his good form has come since he’s found soft/heavy tracks. They’re sticking with Coriah Keatings 3kg claim and I think the plan from the from wide draw should be to find a spot just behind the pace and on this heavy track by race 9 I’m happy to be on something that won’t get stuck near the rail. It’s a pretty wide open race and I think Cormac T could be hard to chase down if you are happy taking $6/$2.25 but I think Good Prize is a good bet.
Rosehill Race 10 1200m BM78
First Person $17/$5
This is a Mare in form and I’ve always liked to stick with them when they’re up and about. She’s proven herself in heavy conditions winning 3 of her 4 runs and also gets better further into her prep. My main concern is from barrier 2 if Kerrin McEvoy gets her stuck on the rail behind the leaders she might need some luck but it’s a risk worth $17-1 in my opinion. If this mare can get on the back of the favourite at the top of the straight and find a gap I think her fitness edge over Weeping Woman could see her finish off the better of the two!
Goodluck to everyone this weekend, remember, to win the showdown you’ll need some big priced winners, runners paying under $5 won’t cut it unless you’re going for the Jackpot (at least have a crack with 1 entry for a chance at that 100k+) and the smartest play is to have 4 x 25% entries over 1 x 100% ticket.
