Gawler, Saturday, 8/7

Conditions - HEAVY

Race 1

5- CAPULET

1- SHADOWFAX

4- ON THE SCENT

A 2YO race over the 1200m to kick off todays program. They can be tricky races with these young horses on very heavy tracks so monitoring conditions. Visitor CAPULET looks the one to beat. She has been competitive in stronger races to this point of her 5 start career and has placed in her last 3. Looked to handle the heavy last start and should find this easier. The one to beat if she handles the conditions. SHADOWFAX & ON THE SCENT both debuted in the same race a fortnight ago at Morphettville finishing 2nd & 4th respectively. That was on a heavy track and they handled conditions fine that day so expect them to do so again. Giving SHADOWFAX a slight edge given I feel he is more advantaged from a wider barrier.

Race 2

4- METRO LEGEND

1- PICARGO

3- KEEP READING

METRO LEGEND & PICARGO have met twice this prep in both of their last starts, winning 1 each. PICARGO was the last start winner but he is getting right up there in the weights now and will give a 4kg swing to METRO LEGEND. Feel the race is going to again be between these runners who both run well at this track but slightly favouring METRO LEGEND with the weight advantage. KEEP READING has been around the mark this prep but hasn’t had much success yet. His best is more than capable and rising to the 1200m is ideal. Looks the main danger to the faves if he finds his best.

Race 3

3- RIALTOR

1- CASHIN’ CHEX

2- MONTEPULCIANO

RIALTOR finds himself in some very suitable conditions here today and feel that’s going to give him an advantage. To start, he has a super record on heavy tracks (3:2-1-0), but it’s the race map that looks his best friend here. He likes to push forwards and lead and there looks to be a lack of early speed in this race, so I’ve mapped him to lead this race quite easily and if he is given a soft time up front, on the heavy track they may find it very hard to catch him. CASHIN’ CHEX at his best is capable, he showed 3 starts back when running 2nd in an open handicap race that he is capable at this level now down slightly in grade. And then MONTEPULCIANO is in super form this prep having won 2 of his last 3. Expecting him to again be around the mark, but given he will likely be back in the field, he may have a big job to catch the runners at the front.

Race 4

3- DELIGHTFUL SHECKY

6- ZAC’S BACK

2- BUNJIL

DELIGHTFUL SHECKY has placed in his last 2 starts and if he can run up to his last start effort he should be every chance here. He looks to have a race map advantage over CHIPSON here today who defeated him last start. ZAC’S BACK was 4L behind DELIGHTFUL SHECKY last start, but with a bit more luck today he may be able to improve. A likely heavy track should also improve ZAC’S BACK’s chances. BUNJIL is a Victorian visitor from a smart stable. 2nd up today and his only career win so far came 2nd up last prep. Can likely improve with some added fitness now today.

Race 5

5- CAMPOBASSO

9- MALINONG CLUB

1- TOYETIC

If the track is definitely a heavy. I would be keen to back CAMPOBASSO who backs up today after running last weekend. He didn’t get a lot in his favour last weekend when the track eventually got an upgrade to a good. His heavy track form is much better (17:6-1-5) and he has a good (3:2-0-0) record over this track and trip. The early race tempo last week also did him no favours so expect he can get an easier run here today. MALINONG CLUB hasn’t managed to find anywhere near her best yet this prep, but she gets out to a staying trip which she looks like she has been looking for and given her fitness now comes at a good time. She has won 2/3 on heavy tracks and her best would be good enough here. TOYETIC is another runner who goes well over this track/distance (4:2-0-1). He will stay all day and is here on his home track. Wouldn’t surprise.

Race 6

1- JACKS ON ICE (BEST OF DAY)

3- LEGLESS LADY

11- ZARACE

If leading is proving to be the ideal position to be here today, JACKS ON ICE is another runner who should be hard to run down as he maps to find the leading position in running without too much trouble from barrier 1. He is in good form this prep having won 3/5. The risk might look like the 59kgs he has to carry, but 2 starts back he carried 60kgs on a Soft7 track for a win so expect he will be able to handle the weight. LEGLASS LADY was 3rd behind JACKS ON ICE last start when she was backed into fave before the jump. The risk with her today is that she may find herself right back in the field and needing luck to find a run. Her soft track form suggests she will handle a potentially heavy track so with luck late she may surprise at EW odds. ZARACE is another runner who wouldn’t surprise at a decent price as well. He is 3rd up into his prep now and has 3 3rd up wins in his career as well as multiple wins on heavy tracks.

Race 7

1- EXALTED FIRE

6- STORM HUNTER

11- GARRIRE

Thought EXALTED FIRE was a big chance to win last weekend but was scratched and turns up here today. Thinking again he looks a good chance in this after the good 1st up run. He is a winner here at the track and has a super record with Campbell Rawiller (5:1-3-1) who again rides here today. We have been on STORM HUNTER in his last few starts, but now that we get off, wouldn’t be surprised to see him finally get up and win. He has run 3rd in 5 of his last 6 starts and is a very honest type. The risk with him today is the wide barrier, but if the rail goes off badly, perhaps it will become an advantage. GARRIRE has placed in his last 3 including a 2nd over this same track/distance 2 starts ago. He was only 0.5L behind EXALTED FIRE last start who likely will jump as the fave so potentially is over the odds for this.

Race 8

1- LADY SIMONE

6- ALOTAFUN

5- MORE SUGAR

Expecting LADY SIMONE to find this an easier level race than what she competed in last week at Murray Bridge. She comes back to fillies and mares grade which will help and she gets onto a track where she has previously had good success. She has a (5:2-1-1) record here but also a (2:1-1-0) track/distance record. The risk with her is how wet the track gets as she hasn’t won on a soft or heavy before, but with good early speed and a middle barrier she should be in a prominent spot in running. ALOTAFUN showed her potential earlier this prep when she won in commanding fashion at Strathalbyn. Since then she has finished 6th, 3 times in a row but all of them not too far off the winners. She is only a lightly raced mare who has upside. MORE SUGAR wouldn’t surprise at a decent price. 2nd up and fitter now after placing when resuming at Balaklava. Up to the 1200m looks an ideal move now.

Race 9

4- MIDNIGHT RUSH (VALUE OF DAY)

11- PORTATION

6- TUPOLEU

Feel that MIDNIGHT RUSH could be forgiven for his last start a week ago. He had little to no luck when coming into the straight and was badly held up loosing momentum. 2 starts back when he was 1st up, he led them up and faded late but given he is 3rd up today, think that extra fitness should really help. He has early speed and the wider barrier will likely be a positive come the last race of the day on a heavy track. PORTATION looks the likely main danger to MIDNIGHT RUSH. He is lightly raced and has solid 1st up form (2:0-2-0) as well as an overall very consistent career record. He will likely take up the lead and is light at the weights. TUPOLEU won’t surprise at big odds here on a track that he has had good success at (3:2-1-0) over this track & distance and he is also 2/3 when on heavy tracks. He might give this a good shake at a big price if the track gets to a really wet level.

Quaddie

1,2,3,11

1,3,7,8,11

3,6,9,12

4,11

$160 = 100%