Best Bets
Bequeathed is yet to break her maiden, but has returned to racing in competitive form this time and won’t be offered a better opportunity than she is in Race 2 at Mornington today. The Lonhro filly resumed for a credible third behind Moana Jewel over 1200m at Pakenham before racing fourth at Ballarat most recently. This looks to be a step back in quality and from barrier 7, Andrew Mallyon can find a position just behind the pace before calling on the filly’s turn of foot.
King has shown plenty of ability through his three career starts so far and while yet to post a win, finds himself in easily his easiest race at date at Newcastle this afternoon. The Written Tycoon colt was sound on debut in the Maribyrnong Plate in spring and was sent to the paddock after running fourth at Gosford. Having run well for second at Gosford first-up this time, he’ll improve drastically into this race and is clearly the horse to beat.
Godolphin filly Nipotina has not been seen at the races since January, but she is a proven first-up performer and has trialled well in the lead-up to her run at Newcastle this afternoon. Nipotina fly home to win a Gosford maiden race on debut before running on to finish a credible fourth amongst decent company at Canterbury, at her only other career start. With in-form hoop Tim Clark in the saddle, she can finish over the top of her rivals.
Best Each-Way Bet
The Wez Hunter-trained Stryking Miss has steadily built to the task this time and is ready to peak third-up this afternoon. The Stryker filly ran on well to finish second, despite jumping as favourite at Avoca last time out, but gets a big weight relief here and is drawn ideally in barrier 3. A step up in trip looks ideal and Stryking Miss can run a big race at double-figure odds.