3 minute read

Not a good day on the punting front at Morphettville last week with Pistolier and Assertive Billy going by the wayside.

We go to Morphettville Parks on Saturday where the track is currently rated a Dead4 and the rail is out two metres the entire circuit.

The Listed Sportingbet Penny Edition Stakes over 1400m, Race 7 on the program, is the feature event and there is a short priced favourite engaged in last start Group 3 Spring Stakes winner Riziz.

While he looks the winner, the $1.75 looks a little short for my liking, especially for a horse that is yet to win at 1400m.

Former French galloper Gris Caro may be better option on an each-way basis, currently quoted at $9.50.

A former French galloper, Gris Caro has only had the three starts in Australia and has acquitted himself well.

He made a winning debut in taking out the Listed Balaklava Cup over 1600m before venturing to Melbourne where he finished second in the Group 3 JRA Cup over 2040m at Moonee Valley on September 27.

He then contested the Listed 1800m Victoria Plate at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day last year before being sent for a long spell.

Gris Caro holds a nomination for the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate later in the Spring and while he is yet to race at a trip shorter than 1600m, the 1400m after his break looks to be a perfect trip first-up.

A step up in distance should be ideal for Sandhill Warrior in Race 8 the Schweppes Handicap, a Benchmark 78 race over 1400m.

Sandhill Warrior resumed off a break with a good second behind Light It Up over 1200m at Morphettville last Saturday and will relish the extra 200m here.

Importantly Sandhill Warrior is unbeaten second-up following a spell, but in saying that this is his toughest second-up contest to date.

Jamie Kah takes the ride on the lightly-raced gelding and from barrier five he should get a good run in transit and be hard to beat.

Good luck and good punting.

Play Of The Day: Race 8 #3 Sandhill Warrior @$5

Each Way Play: Race 7 #3 Gris Caro @$9.50