Oakbank , Saturday 8/4
Conditions - Soft
Race 1
11- QUEEN IN THE NORTH
1- FINGOLFIN
13- WHO’S AFRAID
QUEEN IN THE NORTH finished off very strongly last start at Murray Bridge to run 2nd. 3rd up and fitter today, she should get a suitable run for a backmarker as the race maps to be run at a good speed and she won’t have to improve much to be big chance. FINGOLFIN has placed in his 2 runs for a new stable and looks close to a win, he is dual nominated over this weekend so may not run here yet, but represents good value for a runner who has shown good signs in races and at the trials. WHO’S AFRAID ran well last start in a good level maiden race, gets in at a light weight here today, does come back in distance though which is a negative but potentially better suited coming back if she pushes forwards and races on the speed.
Race 2
7- ALPINE FLYER
8- SHEZ BETTY
2- BUBBLE OVER
ALPINE FLYER resumed at Morphettville a fortnight ago and ran into all sorts of trouble down the straight when she couldn’t find any clear running space and it inevitably cost her a placing in the race. Expecting a big improvement 2nd up now, she has won her previous 2 2nd up runs in her career. She also goes up to the 1400m which suits and gets onto a soft track which is what she has produced her 3 career wins on. If she finds a clear run she should prove hard to hold out. SHEZ BETTY has produced 6 placings in 7 starts this prep. She gets in very light at the weights after the apprentice claim which should help her produce a fast finish. Might need some luck but does have a very big finish. BUBBLE OVER was 2nd last start including beating home many that are in this field for today. She has had 3 good runs this prep and expect her to push forwards from a good barrier.
Race 3
1- VALIDATED
8- I’M A DEXSTAR
6- SIXTEEN REASONS
Hard to look past VALIDATED who looks a horse with some serious potential. He has won both starts this prep, he now goes up to the 1400m which we haven’t seen yet, but you would suggest the way he has been finishing off over the 1200m, he will be hard to hold out here. I’M A DEXSTAR wouldn’t surprise at good odds. Last start he went back in grade at Pt Lincoln and won quite easily there. He will push forwards from a good barrier and gets in light at the weights so may take catching. SIXTEEN REASONS is still a maiden runner, but hasn’t run many bad races to date yet. She was impressive recently in a trial here proving she will handle the track which is a big positive.
Race 4
5- PLAISIR
6- ACE ATTACK
2- PORT ROYAL
PLAISIR put in an uncharacteristic bad performance last start but want to forgive him for that. Looks every chance here today, he is light at the weights and will push forwards and control the race. He has a very good record here at Oakbank (4:0-1-2) he should be a big improver today. ACE ATTACK has the benefit of being trained here at Oakbank, it is somewhat of a Horses for Courses track so given his super record here, he needs to be respected as you know he will probably handle the track better than any other. PORT ROYAL found a very winnable race last start when taking out The Streaky Bay Cup. This is harder today, but his form prior to that was good and up to the 1900m will suit him.
Race 5
3- VERIMLI
6- ICHIBANSAN
2- CLEVER MAN
VERIMLI is a big watch in this race for a new stable. He comes across from Victoria with some very strong form lines including placings in both last years Mornington & Bendigo Cups. It’s a messy race to map but he looks a likely leader and gets in at a light weight for a horse with good class. If the track is favouring leaders you feel he will be hard to catch if he is given his own way and it appears Anthony Darmanin is here to take the ride on a horse he has a good previous association with. ICHIBANSAN was a good winner last start at Morphettville when he was met with strong market support. Drawn well and should get a good run tracking the leaders, he is fitter now 4th up and looks every chance. CLEVER MAN was an impressive winner last week to win The Mt Gambier Cup. He is in super form and peaking in fitness, will appreciate the expected wet track and should be respected.
Race 6
1- PRINCE JOFRA
3- TWO TIMES TWICE
2- KINGSON
PRINCE JOFRA placed when resuming and will now be better suited 2nd up and going up in distance. If the track continues to get wetter, I feel he will tighten up in the market as he is well suited to a wet track. TWO TIMES TWICE Drops slightly back in grade after running 4th 2 weeks ago at Morphettville. With a bit more luck he should have at least run a placing. He is in form and fit now, expect he runs a good race again here and looks every chance. KINGSON will likely lead them up here from a good barrier. If it’s hard to make ground, he should prove hard to catch and won’t mind a wet track.
Race 7
4- STRUCK BY
6- SASKATOON
5- MY KHALIFA
This is a tricky little race due to the quality of the field and a lot of runners who are in form all meet. With STRUCK BY here, he is in good form having won 2 starts back but over raced last start which is probably what cost him. He gets in much better at the weights for this today and will get a senior jockey on which is a positive. He will likely push forwards and lead, should be in a strong position. SASKATOON has had a short let up since winning 4 of his last 5 starts. He has started to produce some very strong performances and will be racing in some sharp races during the group 1 carnival. But the small knock I have on him today is his race map, the wide barrier from the 1400m start isn’t ideal as he climbs the hill, he may have to work harder to find a position than what is ideal. MY KHALIFA found form when winning last start beating STRUCK BY. The 1400m is his ideal distance with a strong record over this trip (11:6-1-1) and he went on a winning streak last prep showing he is capable of winning multiple races in a row.
Race 8
3- TAUNTING
6- GAZE GRISE (VALUE OF THE DAY)
8- DARING MOVE
The feature race of the day today. Feel a lot of how the race goes will depend on what the track condition is and how it is racing. For that reason, I’m happy to have a 2 play on a pair of runners here. TAUNTING is 2nd up here today, he has previously gone 2/2 wins when 2nd up in his career and had a recent trial here where it looked like he handled the track fine. He has drawn a wide barrier, which isn’t a huge concern as from the 1100m start, he gets a long run to find a position. Think Jess Eaton will likely target the outside rail when in the straight given his likely position in running and that has previously been the better going. Don’t want to be loosing on GASE GRIZE though, who was 2nd in this race last year and impressively trialled here last week. She has shown she doesn’t mind this track. Drawn barrier 3, I map her not finding the outside run but to coming down the middle of the track in the straight, if we are wrong and the outside isn’t great, GAZE GRISE likely finds the best run and for that reason needs to be included. DARING MOVE is out of the same trainer/jockey combination that won this race last year. She likely can push forwards from barrier 4 which will give her options in the straight.
Race 9
9- SHOOTING FOR STARS (BEST OF THE DAY)
3- SABERMETRIC
12- HUNTLY LADY
SHOOTING FOR STARS debuts for the Clarken team here today. She trialled at the track last week and won that in really impressive fashion. She was caught wide down the hill but stuck on well to run away with it. Her previous form in NSW showed she handles a wet track as well. SABERMETRIC maps to push forwards and take control of the race, has raced well previously on a wet track so won’t mind the forecast conditions. HUNTLEY LADY is a tough backmarker type. She ran ok here is a recent trial and will be a big chance if there is a lot of speed for her. A small query is her form on the soft track but there has been good early money for her.
Quaddie
1,2,3,8
1,3,4,5,6
1,3,5,6,8,9,10
9
$140 = 100%
