3 minute read
Nine races are set to be run and won on the Morphettville Parks track this Saturday. The rail will be out 9m from the 1000m to the winning post and 6m the remainder.
The track is currently rated a soft 5 and with more rain on the way, we could be looking at a downgrade.
We've had a close look at all nine events on the card and our thoughts can be found below.
RACE 1 - 12:52AM: CANADIAN CLUB MAIDEN PLATE (1250 METRES)
Switch Hit endured a tough run here last start and stuck on gamely to finish fourth.
Off the wide gate, he was never closer than three deep and was always exposed.
It was a similar story for the gelding at his prior start, unable to slot in he raced outside the leaders and was only just collared right on the line.
He presents here at peak fitness and with luck in running, should prove hard to beat under Jacob Opperman, who stays in the saddle for Mitchell Freedman.
1 unit – SWITCH HIT
RACE 2 - 1:27PM: SPRING RACING CARNIVAL AT MORPHETTVILLE HANDICAP NMW (1000 METRES)
Mansiere comes off luckless run at Caulfield three weeks ago.
Taken back to the last off the wide gate, he never saw clear air at all in the straight.
He was solid to line at his prior outing in good company down the Flemington straight and won well when resuming at Sale.
The Brave Smash gelding has only recorded to two wins but he's certainly capable on his day and boasts solid form around him.
He'll relish getting back onto a track with some give and this looks an ideal race for him.
1 unit – MANSIERE
RACE 3 - 2:02PM: SPORTSBET HANDICAP NMW (1950 METRES)
Flamin' Romans is racing well and looks a very handy stayer on the rise.
The Ciaron Maher trained gelding proved superior at his second run back from a break, letting down powerfully over the final part to score comfortably over the 1715m at Geelong.
Up in grade and out to 2040m around the Valley last start, he was strong through the line despite a wide run throughout.
He should find this slightly easier and has drawn to receive all the favours under Todd Pannell.
1 unit – FLAMIN' ROMANS
RACE 4 - 2:37PM: SET A DEPOSIT LIMIT HANDICAP HANDICAP BM68 (2250 METRES)
Smiling Assassin is on the quick back up after stepping out over 2500m last Saturday.
He just wanted to lay in over the final part so the drop back in trip looks ideal, as does the drop back in grade.
The eight year old was victorious over this course and distance at his prior outing and lines up here hard fit.
With the rise in the weights, Garratt Lynch has elected to claim, securing in-form apprentice Rochelle Milnes to do the steering and take 2kgs off.
1 unit – SMILING ASSASSIN
RACE 5 - 3:12PM: ADELAIDE GALVANISING INDUSTRIES HANDICAP CLASS 2 (1250 METRES)
Quanah has made a flying start to his racing career with successive wins and looks well placed to make it three on the bounce.
An all-the-way winner over 1100m at Gawler on debut, he took the step to metro grade in his stride, showing plenty of determination to kick back once challenged and get the job done.
Both wins have been in heavy going so any moisture in the track will only enhance his chances.
Alana Livesey stays in the saddle, she'll take 2kgs off and from gate four she can press forward and control the race.
1 unit – QUANAH
RACE 6 - 3:47PM: SKYCITY HANDICAP BM78 (1250 METRES)
Sixteen Reasons loomed to win last start but just peaked on her run late, which she was entitled to do after racing wide throughout.
She's had no luck at all in recent runs, badly held up for most of the straight she charged through late to finish fourth three runs back and then blew the start at her following outing.
After giving them a big head start, she still managed run into second, beaten less than a length.
Back to 1250m here looks ideal and whilst she does rise again in grade, she gets in beautifully at just 52kgs with the Rochelle Milnes' claim.
1 unit – SIXTEEN REASONS
RACE 7 - 4:27PM: PHOTO FINISH REFUND HANDICAP BM78 (1400 METRES)
He's Beset bounced back to his best to record a dominant last start win over 1412m at Echuca.
The start prior he proved a touch disappointing at Caulfield but got a long way back and just had too much work to do.
A very handy galloper on his day, the former Kiwi has been racing in terrific form since arriving in Australia late last year and as he can still do a few things wrong, there's improvement to come.
The 1400m looks to be his pet trip and from the low draw he can make his own luck up on speed.
1 unit – HE'S BESET
RACE 8 - 5:04PM: THE FOTOBASE GROUP HANDICAP 0-64 (1000 METRES)
Palm of Jumeirah kicked off her preparation in style, recording a determined victory over 1000m at Murray Bridge.
At just her second race start, the Pride of Dubai filly let down strongly in the straight to reel in the leader, who'd given a good kick at the top of the straight.
She then stepped out over this track and distance where she proved disappointing but was found to have pulled up lame, so I'm happy to forgive.
The wide draw is a slight concern but she looks to have plenty of upside and with luck in running, can certainly play a part.
Lachlan Neidorf partnered her to victory first up and he goes back aboard for Phillip Stokes.
1 unit – PALM OF JUMEIRAH
RACE 9 - 5:40PM: GRAND SYNDICATES HANDICAP BM64 (1000 METRES)
I Catchem Fox has only had the three race starts but looks to have plenty of upside.
He didn't have the best of luck on debut and despite enduring a wide run throughout at his second outing, he let down strongly over the 1200m journey to salute.
Stepping out at Horsham last start, the son of Foxwedge settled back at the tail and had nowhere to go in the early part of the straight but charged late once clear to claim third.
Whilst this looks tougher, he looks talented talent and the way he hit the line last time, suggests the rise in trip will suit.
Kayla Crowther will do the steering and barrier five should see him afforded a kind run throughout.
1 unit – I CATCHEM FOX
