Wednesday April 11
Plenty of Hillside racing lately, back onto Lakeside here with rail true. Can race fence and pace but not committing that way in advance.
BEST BET: SHERLOCK HOLMES R4 #1
BEST VALUE: BARTHELONA R6 #1
Race 1: 1-3-2
Going to start with a $1.4 favourite here but couldn’t touch it. GOLDEN SCRIPT should win off debut 3rd Hillside 1000m and looking for 1200m and lack of clear opposition. 2nd pick is TANTIVY who went off $18 on debut at Kyneton when ok just missing with not best of luck. But not flashing light stuff. MISS LOUISIANA trialled fairly. That’s the race. Move on.
SUGGESTED: If you like shorts, bet GOLDEN SCRIPT but as they say gamble responsibly.
Race 2: 2-1-5-9
HAWKSHOT won a Ballarat 1200m Maiden on debut in impressive fashion when $3 to $2.9. Doubt 1400m an issue. WILD PLANET brings Moonee Valley form from Chess Star race where it ran 2nd, THUNDERDOME (4th), GREEN IVY (5th). That form is ok. ONE BELT ONE ROAD can improve off a fair debut with Callow up.
SUGGESTED: Keen on HAWKSHOT.
Race 3: 2-3-4-7
Surprised how short RODIN’S DOLL is ($1.95). Yes is hard to beat off wins 1600m to 2000m but happy to try DIVINE COMMAND at $5 off two wins The Valley when leaving little to chance after luck has turned. DIAPASON might prefer Hillside but will like 2100m, THREE STRYKES has the Divine Command form to respect.
SUGGESTED: Just betting against favourite with Weir’s DIVINE COMMAND.
Race 4: 1-4-10-3
Liked SHERLOCK HOLMES fresh and don’t need to be Sherlock to like him against similar opposition including the vanquished DIVINE SANCTION (3rd) CORRS (2nd) and PEDRO XIMENEX (4th). ZOURKHAN has a few gear changes and is down from Sydney for Waller.
SUGGESTED: Elementary – stay with SHERLOCK HOLMES.
Race 5: 11-5-9-10
Impossible race, so many form lines – going DIAMOND BOW resuming off fair Cranbourne trial. Form measures up. GREY SHADOW was expected to win ($3.8 into $3.5) at Kyneton and did aftertardy start. UPTOWN GAL has a form profile too hard to decipher in distance range tests but has ability (and experience) and seemingly back well. BELLE XAAR is out to 1200m now which is a plus. CHATEAU GRIFFO in market after skinny $1.26 Mdn win. Probably in quaddie.
SUGGESTED: DIAMOND BOW then a wide quaddie..
Race 6: 1-12-7-4
Lost a bit of my value about BARTHELONA with morning favourite Andaz coming out but still very backable – yes no wins last campaign but competitive everywhere and claim helps. PERFECT STATUTE is fit, well and well in, PRINCETON SPIRIT (4th) resumed in race where Haski ran 2nd and then won well Saturday. Unbeaten before that. THINK BABE has been gelded, didn’t come up in spring, go back to 2nd SWORDS OF LIGHT – a must.
SUGGESTED: Seeking value BARTHJELONA.
Race 7: 3-11-1-10
Very even but ANCIENT ECHOES comes to town with great Weir provincial profile and has learned how to win this time in. Stick. STREEK SHEIK was good resuming and has never run poorly and doubt will here. REFLECTIVITY is the value from draw, forgiving a (0) off back of two wins. SILVERHAWK gets blinkers again off sound Mornington run.
SUGGESTED: ANCIENT ECHOES to remind us off Weir again.
Race 8: 5-13-7-6
Wide finish but keen on KILMACURRAGH who was able to win resuming and better at 1600m, always a likely talent. TRANQUIL MISS gets down in weights. Like her. Good threat. SAVAHEAT and PERUGGIA represent key Weir duo (CULLINGWORTH also appears). Respecting them.
SUGGESTED: KILMACURRAGH to keep roll going.
QUADDIE:
2-4-5-6-7-11
1-4-7-12
1-3-7-10-11
5-6-7-13
$240 for 50%