Ofcourseican is value in a wide open Sheraco
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SR 2: (9) DAL ROMMEL - No horse has been going better on the provincial circuit than this strapping 5yo from the John McNair stable with three impressive wins up to 2100m from his last four starts, his sequence broken by a second over 1900m at Canterbury. Made light of 59.5kg at last week's Wyong carnival to win with ease and comes back to town well placed with a handy 5.5kg drop in weight and a good draw to enjoy a soft run. Meets tougher opposition but his form and fitness has him placed in the right race at the right time.
SR 3: (12) STATE GRADE - Comes from a smart Victorian stable known for successful Sydney raids and he looks to have been well prepared for this 1500m event after three 1200m starts in Melbourne where his efforts have been excellent against strong fields. This trip should be perfect for his fourth run back as he had strong form up to 1700m last season and it's significant that he has a past winning rider in Glen Boss back on board to take full advantage of his rails draw.
SR 4: (6) OFCOURSEICAN - A wide open Sheraco Stakes will offer great value, none better than this big mare who is ready to perform strongly first-up from a spell after her recent Randwick trial placing in heavy going. She's good fresh, has an excellent Rosehill strike rate and a jockey who knows her well. Appeals as the one who will be ridden quietly from her inside gate and saved for a big finish in a race where the speed will be hot from the start.
ONES TO AVOID
SR 2: (2) THUMBTACKS - Rider lifted this consistent gelding to a narrow win over 1600m at Warwick Farm last Saturday when he was carrying the limit weight. Has to be a risk to repeat with a sharp 4.5kg weight increase over this extra trip against a deeper field.
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MR 3: (4) TANBY - He takes on some stayers going well but loved his charging third in the Testascana race at Caulfield. Like so many horses from this stable, they get better over the trip and gets quickly to 2500m suggesting he is hard fit. After a trial on Monday, he'll be ready to go and this distance is perfect. Might be a good Moonee Valley Cup trial or even a Metropolitan chance?
MR 7: (1) WHOBEGOTYOU - Not many horses are as devoted to Moonee Valley at the top level as him. In fact the Cox Plate is all is missing from his mantelpiece. He chases a trifecta of wins in this event and this is essentially the easiest of his three attempts. Showed in the Lawrence all was well and bad luck is probably his biggest danger.
ONES TO AVOID
MR 8: (9) KING'S ROSE - She won the Memsie but it wasn't a high rating race compared to previous years. In fact she should have been beaten but because she is in the Moody yard she'll be one of, if not the favourite. But this mares race has many chances with the Let's Elope form from last week looking good.
DOOMBEN - tips by Wayne Bristow
BR 5: (1) SHAMARDASHING - We've been on his tail all the way and now up to the 2200m, he should keep the roll going. He only scored by a neck last time because of the heavy ground and the fact backmarkers could not make up any ground all day. Has the same weight and this field is not better. Dam was placed in a Caulfield Cup so he can win again.
BR 7: (3) ALBERTON PARK - Here we have a hard fit mare taking on a few first uppers. She loves Doomben and given the pace looks to be on with Tafeer, Aladah and Sky Effort, she can run home hard over the 1200m. Having Colless down to 54kg is also a good indication too that she is in the right fettle. We might catch Funtantes a run short.
ONES TO AVOID
BR 2: (1) ANYWAYS - Got away with grand larceny up front last week. He goes up 2kg even after the claim but loses the leading jockey for an apprentice. Belltone is flying at the moment and even though it is up to Open grade, could easily transfer that form against Anyways who has to give him weight.
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AR 2: (1) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - With Peter Moody's skill at placement, this looks a perfect opportunity for the colt to pick up a win interstate. The brother to several good horses including G1 winner Sky Cuddle was consistent in his first prep without much luck. He can whatever track conditions are thrown up and we might get a decent price given the form of other rivals.
AR 4: (3) ELMS - Looked authoritative in winning at Swan Hill first up over the mile. Superbly bred by Zabeel out of the Canterbury Guineas winner Fine Society, he had a clean out trial at Cranbourne on Monday. Steven King has followed a few Melbourne rides to Adelaide for the weekend and he should position up from the good gate proving too good.
ONES TO AVOID
AR 5: (1) AND ROCK - No doubt off a Victorian win punters will be backing her. But she meets several competitive fillies in the Morphettville Guineas including the horse who was placed behind her Hurriyet (Samantha Miss' full sister) and was unlucky. And Tai Tai Tess has put three together so there is enough to risk And Rock.
