Fire up your Sunday punting with our Seymour Cup Day best bets, highlighting the key runners ready to help you end the week right.
YOUMZAA (14) showed plenty on debut at Bendigo, and natural second-up improvement can see her go one better.
The Matt Lawrie-trained filly finished second over 1100m behind Over The Bridge.
That form has since been franked, with Over The Bridge winning the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes.
Drawn well, Youmzaa should be able to lead for Patrick Moloney and prove hard to catch.
| 14. Youmzaa (3) Scratched: | |||
MELEK (7) looks ready to peak third-up after two runs back from a 39-week break.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding only just missed over this distance at Ballarat last start.
Caught three-deep from a wide barrier, he did well to finish a neck from the winner.
John Allen rides again, and a better run in transit can see Melek go one better.
| 7. Melek (4) J: John Allen 59kg 1×62 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today. First-up 6th of 15 in a Bm70 at Sandown-Hillside on September 2 over 1500m, slow going 6 len behind Veyepee with 57kg at $12. Last start 2nd of 14 in a Bm66 at Ballarat on September 18 over 2000m, nose behind Ragazzone with 59kg at $3.10. Rates highly. Looks ready to win from a good gate. | |||
PARCAE (14) made a winning debut over 1000m at Mornington, leading throughout to score by 2.5 lengths.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained filly had shown promise in jump-outs on soft and heavy ground before making her first race start.
She stays at 1000m and should be suited by the trip again.
Mick Dee can use his mount’s early speed to find a forward position and looks capable of building on that debut win.
| 14. Parcae (9) J: Michael Dee 56kg 1 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Getting off the mark on debut; favourite; won by 2.5 len in a Mdn-Sw at Mornington on September 17 over 1000m defeating Armorware carrying 55kg at $1.45. Far too good on debut and will be very hard to catch again. | |||
| 11. Storm Leopard (1) J: Daniel Stackhouse 54kg 13×50 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 12 in a Bm100 at Caulfield on August 29 over 1400m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Fancify with 55kg at $7. Second run from a spell failed to make an impression; 12th of 15 in a Hcp at Flemington on September 12 over 1700m, 7 len behind St Lawrence with 54kg at $2.60. Had excuses latest and can bounce back. | |||