3 minute read

Éclair Samba got knocked-off by the ‘Weir-Machine’ last time and early betting suggests that it’s another from the production line that poses the biggest threat on Saturday.

We are siding up with the ‘form-horse’ against the ‘Weir-factor’, though, with Éclair Samba rating clear top on last start performances in race two.

Count Encosta is popular in early betting and fair enough, he’s always been a good talent and his form for Weir has been good, but he hasn’t done anything form-wise that he hadn’t done in the past and he’s still vulnerable to an improver.

Éclair Samba is that improver. He’s four from six beyond a mile, finishing runner-up in his two defeats, and has an upwardly mobile ratings profile.

$2.90 appeals as a good gamble.

In race six Felidea looks ready to mount a strong challenge and can be backed at $8.50.

That’s a good each-way play for a horse that showed himself in good form last time when without the best of luck at Sandown and has figures in the form book to give a race like this a serious nudge.

THE MELBOURNE MAIL

Bet Of The Day: Race 2 #3 Éclair Samba @ $2.90

Each Way Play: Race 6 #9 Felidea @ $8.50