3 minute read
Last week we got the chocolates when Sandhill Warrior landed the prize in the final event of the day.
On Friday $5 was offered before he ran as a $3 favourite, so it was good to get a small prize.
We did think Riziz was a little short in the market on Friday in the feature race, the Penny Edition Stakes and he was rolled as an odds-on favourite.
However Gris Caro, which we threw out as an each-way play, couldn’t do his part, but he ran on soundly and is well worth following in the weeks ahead.
This week the Irish jumping jockeys are in town for a hurdle and a steeplechase at Morphettville where the track is rated a Dead4 with the rail out six metres from the 1200m to the winning post and then three metres for the remainder.
The jumps races are always a good spectacle but they are not betting races and it looks a skinny meeting in trying to find a winner.
Light It Up in Race 7, the After Party Highway Hotel Handicap over 1200m, looks the best bet on the day.
Prepared by Ryan Balfour on course and to be ridden by Adrian Patterson, Light It Up has three wins and seven minor placings to his credit from 14 career starts.
Two starts back he contested the Group 3 Spring Stakes, finishing second behind Riziz, beaten three lengths, in weight-for-age company.
Two week ago he dropped back to a Benchmark 82 race and under the guidance of apprentice Caitlin Forrest scored a solid one-and-a-quarter length victory over the same course and distance as he lines-up in on Saturday.
This time he contests a Benchmark 90 race and rises 1kg in weight with the senior rider going on board.
It looks a winnable race for him and he should be tough to hold out.
In-form mare Miss Wynette should give a great sight in the final event, the Mac Just Over Don’t-Drive Handicap over the 1600m journey.
The Tony McEvoy-trained four-year-old was successful over the same course and distance a fortnight ago in a Restricted 72 grade race.
This time the daughter of Magnus rises to a Benchmark 82 class race, but comes down in weight from 56kg to 54 kg.
Dom Tourneur had the ride on the mare two weeks ago and Jason Holder takes over the reins on Saturday, so there won’t be anything lost on that front.
From barrier three she should get a good run in transit and prove hard to hold out at the finish.
Good luck and good punting.
Play Of The Day: Race 7 #6 Light It Up @$2.80
Each Way Play: Race 8 #8 Miss Wynette @$4.40