BLOGS

Track – Currently Rated Good 4

Rail – +4m 1200m -600m; 6m Remainder.

Race 1: National Stakes 1200m

We kick off the day with a 2YO race over the 1200m with Balaabel the current $2.80 favourite. Xilong looks the leader here.

Blake Says: Absolute Flirt was a strong winner last start, maps to get a lovely run just off the speed here and there’s no reason she can’t win again. Balaabel was unlucky on debut behind Absolute Flirt. Will take big improvement from the experience and looks suited rising in distance. Hoping for a positive ride from the wide barrier. Can turn the tables.

Lachlan Says: Not keen to play a part in this but I didn't mind the debut of BALAABEL vs ABSOLUTE FLIRT. Just held up slightly at stages and rattled home with the fastest late splits to just miss. I think it can turn the tables on ABSOLUTE FLIRT but won't be diving in. LIL KONTRA has been up forever but is showing no signs of slowing down this prep. Looks the each-way value.

Race 2: AAMI Centaurea Stakes 2024m

We race over the 2000m here and Clearly currently heads the market at $3.20. Doesn’t look a whole of pressure here with the lead up for grabs.

Blake Says: Zero interest here for me, map looks very tricky. Remember the Name top pick but no betting interest.

Lachlan Says: Looks to be a standout in this race. CLEARLY. Import who's two runs in Australia have been excellent. Long way back last start, held up and charged through the line for 3rd. Flashing light on it! Stepping up to 2000m suits. SNOGGING ran well in the same race but was off and gone with momentum up while CLEARLY was still looking for runs. FLOP had no luck either but I'm worried she won't get the 2000m here and might just be a level below. CLEARLY the best for me.

Race 3: Queens Cup 2500m

Race for the stayers over the 2500m and Rockarral is the current $5 favourite in an open market. Valac and Nashville Sound look the main speed engaged.

Blake Says: Valac continues to race well without winning. Can lead here and will get his chance to breakthrough for a win this prep. Nashville Sound has been impressive this prep, this is tougher and is unproven at the distance but has upside. Don’t like to get involved in these staying races and that won’t change here.

Lachlan Says: No real great interests here. While SOPRESSA is struggling to find that SA Derby-winning form I thought the horse was full of merit at Warrnambool last start. CEDAR GRANDE came out and beat SAVVY OAK last start (which then ran 2nd in a Derby) and FUTURE SCORE stays all day. There's plenty of other chances but will having small bets on the three mentioned.

Race 4: TAB SA Fillies Classic 2500m

We race over the 2500m here once again, this time for the 3YO Fillies. Nordic Symphony currently heads the market at $2.30. Looks good pressure with many looking to be positive early.

Blake Says: Nordic Symphony looks the class runner here, if she runs the trip is clearly the one to beat but zero interest in the current price on offer and not willing to bet against her. Staying out.

Lachlan Says: NORDIC SYMPHONY is dual accepted but if she comes here she wins. Went around at $61 in an Oaks last start and was luckless not to be in the finish. Drops right back in grade here and draws to do no work. Didn't hate the run of MISS FIVEHUNDRED last start either. Was $51 to $16 on track and was just cluttered for moments and the wheels spun. Steps out to the long journey so will get plenty of time to wind up. Keen on NORDIC SYMPHONY to win with a small each-way wager on MISS FIVE HUNDRED.

Race 5: R A Lee Stakes 1600m

We are over the mile here and Fastnet Tempest is the current $4.20 favourite. Call Me Handsome can lead with All Too Huiying and East Indiaman handy.

Blake Says: Found this race impossible with many queries. East Indiaman top pick but happy to move on to the next race.

Lachlan Says: Tricky race and not keen to play in this one. EAST INDIAMAN is racing well and has been met with early support. Respect the move. BRING ME ROSES on form looks like she has turned up this prep but has the ability to surprise. MICA LIL last couple have looked poor on face value but gets to the mile and drops right back in grade. Might be worth a tiny bet at the price but nothing really stands out in this. Moving on.

Race 6: TAB Proud Miss Stakes 1200m

Good race over the 1200m with Lady Cosmology the current $4.40 favourite. Golden Lustre will be kicking up from the inside with Lady Cosmology burning across from out wide early.

Blake Says: Lady Cosmology was unable to cross them in the Sangster and I thought she stuck on strongly after a tough run. There looks less pressure here, she should be able to work across to lead or sit OSL and prove hard to run down.

Lachlan Says: PRINCESS OF QUEENS was heavily supported at a price in the Sangster but only battled on fairly. Respect the move and Jamie Kah sticks. LADY COSMOLOGY galloped strongly Tuesday morning but has drawn the car park and will have the work cut out from there. Same can be said for GOLDEN HALO who was backed at a price in the Euclase stakes and came home with some strong sectionals. Can make a case for that. SPLIT LIP was a good winner last weekend and must respect the powerful Will Clarken stable when they back them up. Happy to play GOLDEN HALO and SPLIT LIP at the prices but there is plenty of hopes.

Race 7: Goodwood 1200m

Group 1 Goodwood over the 1200m with Spright currently heading the market at $3.80. Looks good pressure with Valour Road, Inn Keeper and Cool Passion all looking to be positive early.

Blake Says: Spright was very impressive when breaking through for a deserved G1 win last start, there’s no reason she can’t win again but the current price on offer looks short with her racing pattern. Cool Passion was very good last start, can kick up to possibly lead here or can just take a sit off them and prove hard to hold out, top pick.

Lachlan Says: GYTRASH becomes my first ever G1 runner and it's been a pretty exciting week leading into it. Was there Tuesday morning for his main work and he galloped very well. Had the upper hand and his last 400m was terrific. He doesn't meet the G1 performed horses well at the weights (only 3.5kg better) but one thing is for sure with him, he tries his guts out. He's probably a season away from this level but I'm confident he will run top 5 or 6. SPRIGHT looks the one for me in this. Don't panic about the wide draw as the horse likes the clean air out wide and can rattle home with superior splits than the rest of these. COOL PASSION has the suck draw to get the cosy sit and be the first to look the winner in the straight. Don't write off BEHEMOTH either. He's only a 72 rated horse that snuck in the field with the race falling away but, this was his target all along and he draws to do nothing. Will be great to be a part of. Obviously my heart wants my boy to win but realistically I'm with SPRIGHT.

Race 8: BM 75 Handicap 1200m

We finish off the day with a race over the 1200m and its an open market with Indian Thunder the current $4.40 favourite. Prepare To Win could work across from out wide to lead here with Masipag and Musical Query handy.

Blake Says: Very tough race to end the day and one I’m not keen to get involved in. Vieira an interesting resumer but he usually doesn’t produce his best first up. Staying out.

Lachlan Says: Tough race to end the day with 18 runners in  BM75. To be honest I can't lead you into anything here. Good to see VIERA back at the races. Has a bit of talent. Probably won't win this but look for a nice run and an addition to the Blackbook. HARBOUR GREY trialled well and you would think the trainer wouldn't be over here for a clean out run in a 100k BM75 race. Other than that I can't really find much.

Blakes Overview

Best – R1 #7 Balaabel

Next Best – R6 #13 Lady Cosmology

Best Each Way – R7 #8 Cool Passion

Lachlan’s Overview

Best – R2 #1 Clearly

Next Best – R4 #2 Nordic Symphony

Best Roughie – R8 #5 Harbour Grey