Best Bets
Veteran stayer Like A Carousel will go around in a two-mile hurdle race at Ballarat this afternoon and will be difficult to beat. The Helike gelding ran a credible race in the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) in March before returning to the jumps at Pakenham in April for an easy win. This race is no harder and I like that Ken Keys has elected to trial the horse between starts to keep him ticking over for this.
Septango is yet to post a race win, but he is rock-hard fit and will be tough to beat on the Sunshine Coast this afternoon. The Sepoy gelding will take up the running in this small field and in a race that doesn’t look like it has too much pace, he’ll give them something to catch. Trainer Kris Lees has an excellent record when he travels horses north and this looks like terrific placement.
O’reilly Cyrus has produced a number of strong performances throughout her entire racing career and finds herself in a very winnable race on the Sunshine Coast this afternoon. The O’reilly mare has typically raced in tougher company than this and will take plenty of improvement into what is a second-up assignment. A rise in trip is ideal and she’s drawn perfectly into a small field. On class, she is certainly the horse to beat.
Best Each-Way Bet
Gid Up Strop will carry winning form into this afternoon’s Parkes Cup and is a live chance at each-way odds. The Pendragon gelding took a prominent position in running last time out and was too good for his rivals at the Sapphire Coast. Remaining at a mile looks ideal and with only 54.5kgs in tow, he should be fighting out the finish.