Kick off your weekend with our Saturday best bets, highlighting the key runners to help you find an edge!
GLASGOW LASS (5) looks a big winning chance second-up for Matt Laurie.
She had no favours at Caulfield over 1200m last start, posted wide and settling a long way back before charging late into third behind Custom.
The extra trip looks right up her alley, and a more positive ride from Logan Bates could make all the difference. She handles wet ground, gets weight relief with the claim, and looks ready to give this a proper shake.
| 5. Glasgow Lass (2) J: Logan Bates 59kg 9x0x3T: Matt Laurie | |||
| Second-up today. Last run 3rd of 10 at this track on July 25 over 1200m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Custom carrying 58kg at $26. At only start last preparation 10th of 14 at this track on May 9 over 1100m, slow going 9 len behind Swift Force with 59kg at $7.50. Nice return and looks a big chance up in trip. | |||
HE’LL RIP (8) has been threatening to win one for a while, and this looks another suitable set-up.
The seven-year-old son of Hellbent was runner-up in a similar race over this track and distance in early June, and he has backed that up by placing again at Caulfield and Sandown.
He comes in close to a month between runs, but a recent straight trial here should have kept him ticking over nicely. He loves wet ground, and with Blake Shinn going on and 3kg less in the saddle, he gets his chance to finally knock one off.
| 8. He’ll Rip (1) J: Blake Shinn 55kg 74233T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin | |||
| Racing well recently. Comes off a 31 day let-up. At the latest run made ground from midfield; 3rd of 14 at Sandown-Hillside on July 15 over 1400m, on rain affected going; 2.25 len behind Kahhof carrying 58kg at $7. The run before that 3rd of 14 at this track on June 27 over 1400m, slow going 1.5 len behind Coeur Volante with 54kg at $11. Shinn takes over from the inside, he’ll take beating. | |||
William Pike heading across the country for the Peters-owned COSMIC CRUSADER (7) is hard to ignore.
The six-year-old gelding by Maurice was excellent first-up in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield, settling back before peeling into the race around the turn and putting them away by 2.5 lengths.
He looked like a horse crying out for further off that win, and he gets that now second-up. With only 0.5kg more to carry and the option to settle closer from the wider draw, he looks very hard to knock.
| 7. Cosmic Crusader (8) J: William Pike 59kg 112×1T: Andrea Leek | |||
| Second-up. First-up after eight months favourite; won by 2.5 len in the G3 Bletchingly Stakes at this track on July 25 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Winnasedge carrying 58.5kg at $3.60. Previously second-up favourite; scored a big 8 len win at Belmont Park on September 20 over 1650m on a soft track defeating Sensessional with 54.5kg at $1.24. The one to beat based on that latest effort. Dominant in Melbourne debut and should only be better at this trip. | |||
CENTRAL EUROPE (3) resumes for Chris Waller with James McDonald staying aboard, which is an obvious positive.
The promising Frankel colt was beaten as favourite in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes during the autumn, finishing a length away in third behind Warwoven after finding the line well over 1200m.
Kicking off over 1100m looks a suitable starting point, and with two quiet trials under his belt, he should be ready to run well fresh.
| 3. Central Europe (6) J: James McDonald 57.5kg 23xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign third of 9 at this track in the G3 Pago Pago March 14 over 1200m, 1.0 len behind Warwoven with 56.5kg at $2.20. On debut second of 10 at Randwick in the G2 Skyline February 28 over 1200m, soft track; a nose behind Campione D’italia carrying 56.5kg at $11. This is an ideal race to kick off. Talented colt who will be warming up late. | |||
