3 minute read

We only had the one runner go around for us at Morphettville Parks last week following the scratching Royal Island.

Unfortunately the Each Way Play – Conduction – could finish only fourth at the odds of $7.50.

This week we get onto the bigger Morphettville circuit where the track is rated a Slow6 and the rail is in the normal – or – true position.

The weight-for-age Spring Stakes is the main event on the eight race card which will also see the running of the Grand National Hurdle over 3500m on the ‘inner’ Morphettville Parks circuit.

The Ken Sweeney-trained Riziz looks the one in Race 7, the Spring Stakes, especially with his fitness edge over Happy Trails who is returning following an injury enforced break.

Riziz looked good winning in Listed company on Adelaide Cup day back in March before Sweeney sent him for a freshen-up.

He returned from that break with a weight adjusted Timeform performance of 110 when running third behind Smokin’ Joey in the Group 1 Goodwood over this course and distance on May 5.

Following that run he ventured to Melbourne where he disappointed up the straight at Flemington on May 24 before another a freshen-up. He then finished third in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes behind Lord Of The Sky at Caulfield on July 5.

Upon returning to Adelaide, Riziz was given an easy trial over 1000m at Morphettville last Friday, winning his heat in 1min 02.83 secs which should have him well primed for the Spring Stakes.

The danger looks to be Happy Trails who is coming back to racing following a 287 day break.

He ran a first-up fifth in this race last year before progressing to four Group 1 races in Melbourne which culminated with a narrow second to Shamus Award in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley last October.

He also trialled at Morphettville last week, finishing a close second in the time of 1min 04.31 secs.

Earlier in the day, Brimming, in Race 5 the Farrell O’Neill Handicap, a Benchmark 82 race over 1600m, appeals as each-way value.

Trained on course by Gordon Carter, Brimming has won three of his last four outings on a steady rise through the classes.

He was successful at Balaklava four runs back then was dropped in trip at Gawler where he finished out of the money.

He has relished getting back up in journey since with another victory at Balaklava before scoring over 1800m here on July 19, albeit narrowly.

While it’s a rise in grade for the son of Bramshaw, Brimming will drop 3kg in weight with the engagement of apprentice Caitlin Forrest who has been aboard the gelding at his last two victories.

It is an open race with On A Dream, Redeem Bounty and Pit Boss also having claims, so on an each-way basis Brimming does make appeal.

Good luck and good punting.

Play Of The Day: Race 7 #2 Riziz @$3

Each Way Play: Race 5 #2 Brimming @$5.50