2023 Clare Lindop Stakes Day Tips & Preview
Philonize can win the Manihi Classic. Photo: Jenny Barnes

2023 Clare Lindop Stakes Day Tips & Preview

Feature racing returns to Morphettville on Saturday, and the program is headlined by the Listed Clare Lindop Stakes.

With the major Adelaide Autumn Carnival races right around the corner, there is plenty to be learned from this weekend’s program, and you can find my complete Claire Lindop Stakes Day Tips below.

The Junction Handicap (1100m) – 12:02pm AEDT
No. 1 Harley'n'Rose

Harley’n’Rose puts his unbeaten record on the line in the first at Morphettville on Saturday, and he can continue his rise through the grades.

The Holler gelding showed promise at the trials prior to debuting and put the writing on the wall with an easy triumph at Gawler in January.

He’s been freshened since that effort, but will only improve for the experience.

Croser Handicap (1600m) – 12:37pm AEDT
No. 3 Thirsty Guest

I’m sticking with Thirsty Guest when he steps out on Clare Lindop Stakes Day.

Thirsty Guest broke his maiden at Gawler first-up this time and franked that effort with another nice win in BM62 company at Murray Bridge.

I thought he was decent when fifth in the Listed Morphettville Guineas last time, and he strips fitter into this weaker assignment.

Peter Elberg Funerals Handicap (1050m) – 1:12pm AEDT
No. 5 Joseylin

Joseylin has been a strong and consistent performer this time in and strikes another winnable race at Morphettville this week.

The Pride Of Dubai mare was an eye-catching winner at Cranbourne back in December, and with her runs spaced since, she’s filled the minors behind some good talent in Victorian metro company.

At peak fitness, I don’t think she’ll be offered a better opportunity to win a Saturday race.

Furphy Handicap (1200m) – 1:47pm AEDT
No. 1 Extra Mile

Extra Mile can make it two wins on the bounce when he steps out on Clare Lindop Stakes Day.

The son of Akeed Mofeed has improved with each of his three starts back this time, all similar races to this one, and he proved a length too good for them a couple of weeks ago.

He steps out this week in peak order and with even luck, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.

each way
Fleurieu Milk Company Handicap (2000m) – 2:27pm AEDT
No. 7 Isola Sacra

This looms as one of the most open races on the program and at publish, we’re faced with just under $6 the field.

Isola Sacra looks to have returned an improved horse this time, and she is going to be the one for me.

The Sacred Falls mare was an easy winner in BM58 company at Kyneton first-up this time, and she went within a nose of repeating the dose under the same conditions last time.

Fitter third-up, I think this looks another great opportunity for her, but we can have something on each way.

each way
Grand Syndications Supporting SAROA Handicap (1100m) – 3:07pm AEDT
No. 8 Bluegrass Bijoux

I’m going to have a small each way play on Bluegrass Bijoux in the sixth at Morphettville this week.

Bluegrass Bijoux has missed placing once in four starts back from a spell, winning at Wangaratta back in December, while returned from a freshen up to finish third in BM58 company last time.

I don’t have an enormous amount of faith in anything in this race, so the $9 about this mare does look a little bit of value (at publish).

Listed Manihi Classic (1100m) – 3:47pm AEDT
No. 4 Philonize

Into the black type, and this year’s Manihi Classic looks a great one for Philonize.

Philonize returned to the races for three-consecutive wins, all here at Morphettville before filling the minors behind Another Award and Outlaws Revenge in the Matrice Stakes last time out.

I’m confident she’ll take further improvement into this race, and she can record some deserved black type.

Grand Syndicates Handicap (1600m) – 4:27pm AEDT
No. 3 Eaglelou

Eaglelou has been knocking on the door of a win for a while and gets another chance at Morphettville on Saturday.

The Free Eagle gelding did strike at Gawler back in November, but he has incredibly finishing second in each of his last four starts.

He’s rock-hard fit, gets some relief in the weights and might not be offered a better opportunity than this.

Listed Clare Lindop Stakes (1600m) – 5:04pm AEDT
No. 6 As Time Goes By

As Time Goes By has only been denied by one at each of her two starts back this time, and I am happy to give her another chance in the Clare Lindop Stakes.

Incredibly still a maiden, the well-bred filly has missed placing on a couple of times in seven starts, and she has looked an improved type in races at Pakenham and Ballarat this time.

She’s drawn a peach, weighted well, and I firmly believe that she is up to this class.

each way
Goodwood Carnival At Morphettville Handicap (1050m) – 5:44pm AEDT
No. 8 Miss Roseiano

She failed to win at Pakenham when resuming, but I thought that Miss Roseiano did show some promising signs, and I’m expecting good improvement at Morphettville on Saturday.

The Exceed And Excel filly was excellent during her short two-year-old prep, and while she didn’t return to those heights in spring, she still did race fairly at points.

This looks about her level, and we can have an each way play at around the $9 mark.