3 minute read

The Robert Smerdon-trained Ability has had very few opportunities to show us just how well named he is but he should get his chance at Flemington on Saturday.

Ability has been to the races eight times, winning twice and making his way into the race report on three occasions with tales of woe - including his most recent two runs.

That leaves him hard to assess. We have to be wary that the 'unlucky runner' can be over-bet next time out but with a horse like Ability it's easy to think that there is plenty more to come.

Two key profiles point to him being right up to winning a race like the one that he contests on Saturday.

Firstly, his SP profile. Ability has been hard in the market every time he has been to the races and at the top of betting in his latest couple. Secondly, his ratings profile. On Timeform ratings Ability sits atop the field he faces on Saturday - and with that great promise of more to come.

Further to that the race looks to pan out for him. He gets an ideal blending barrier down the straight, appeals as being better drawn than his key market rivals, and he has a top draw blending jockey to do the steering.

We mark him a $2.80 chance and early markets are letting us bet up at bigger quotes.

Click here for TopBetta's early markets

For an each way play we will look to race 8 where Award Of Merit is trading around the $8.00 mark early doors.

The Melbourne Mail zoned in on Award Of Merit when he was beaten last time, and on face value that effort was plain, but times from the race pointed to excuses that were not obvious at first glance.

Put simply, they went too slow and he was outsprinted from the corner before picking up late in the piece and running right through the line.

His Adelaide win came in strong overall time and he is clearly a better horse with momentum off a true tempo. Today's field looks to provide that form him and we are keen to give him another chance - particularly at the odds on offer.

THE MELBOURNE MAIL

Bet Of The Day: Race 9 #6 Ability @ $3.50

Each Way Play: Race 8 #13 Award Of Merit @ $8.50