Abbreviated format this week people for reasons that I won't bore you with but the full, comprehensive blog will return next week.
I'm going to concentrate on Brisbane but the Scone meeting is a cracker with five Listed races plus the $500,000 Inglis Guineas (same prizemoney as the Doomben Cup - WTF?). Two Listed races at Flemington too highlighted by the running of the Andrew Ramsden Stakes over the Melbourne Cup circuit and over in WA the weight-for-age sprinters will tackle the Group 3 Roma Cup at Belmont.
LOOKING FORWARD
Who's hot?
Glen Boss has bagged four winners and a placing in 10 rides since last Saturday. He rode a treble at Sandown on Wednesday and claimed another winner the following day at Bendigo. In the last 12 months he has ridden more winners at Flemington (22) than any other jockey. The next best is Craig Williams on 16.
Doomben
*** The track is rated a Dead 5. ***
Doomben Cup (Group 1, 2000m, w-f-a)
* Ginga Dude scratched
Dr Stats Ph.D. Says: Foreteller.
Only one mare has won this race in the last 30 years. 14 of the last 15 paid $13 or less. Eight of the last 11 winners came via the Hollindale Stakes and six of those ran a place, including the last three in a row.
Lights Of Heaven seems to thrive in Queensland and who is to say she can't do it again. Foreteller looked the unlucky runner behind her after getting back and wide in a slowly run race. Lamasery was also good and has a sense of timing about him (his last two third-up runs have resulted in 2000m victories). Beaten Up will benefit from his first run past a mile in this country but could be looking towards the Brisbane Cup maybe? Hippopus is drawn to get a good run and the three-year-olds seem to be winning everything.
Lights Of Heaven seems to thrive in Queensland and who is to say she can't do it again. Foreteller looked the unlucky runner behind her after getting back and wide in a slowly run race. Lamasery was also good and has a sense of timing about him (his last two third-up runs have resulted in 2000m victories). Beaten Up will benefit from his first run past a mile in this country but could be looking towards the Brisbane Cup maybe? Hippopus is drawn to get a good run and the three-year-olds seem to be winning everything.
Locky's Selections
5 Lamasery
4 Foreteller
9 Lights Of Heaven
4 Foreteller
9 Lights Of Heaven
The Roses (Group 3, 2000m, 3-y-o fillies set weights)
* The emergencies are all scratched
Express Power will start favourite and did look good winning two weeks ago and if she can repeat that performance she probably wins again. Dear Demi looks juicy odds for a filly of her calibre but the 20 barrier is a concern with a short run to the first turn. Gondokoro looks like she'll stay all day but will probably be better in two weeks time in the Oaks when they step across the road to the broader expanses of Eagle Farm. Zombie Dancer and Dolphus the best roughies after OK runs at the Gold Coast a fortnight ago.
Locky's Selections
4 Express Power
1 Dear Demi
5 Gondokoro
1 Dear Demi
5 Gondokoro
Fred Best Classic (Group 3, 1350m, 3-y-o set weights)
* Noogoora Burr, General Exhibit and the bottom three emergencies are scratched
Pretty keen on Platinum Kingdom each-way here because I think he's got out to a silly price. He's won eight from 16 so he knows how to find the line. Unlucky last time at Hawkesbury when he didn't get clear running room in the straight. Academus looks the obvious threat. He was super impressive in the Gold Coast Guineas and the step up to 1350m should suit. Al Aneed has to be included because he wasn't far away in that same race. Leaving Sizzling out because I think he goes better at Eagle Farm. Boban is another I could entertain because I can't forget his devastating win at this track and distance this time last year and he has finally found some form again at the right time.
Locky's Selections
9 Platinum Kingdom
4 Academus
13 Al Aneed
4 Academus
13 Al Aneed
Other bets
Solzhenitsyn (Doomben Race 4 No. 2) gets one last chance despite his poor showing last time out. On his best form he would smack this lot.
Miss Steele (Flemington Race 1 No. 11) is the street corner tip this weekend and has been the subject of heavy support. Always wary when the money comes for one from the Mick Kent yard.
Fontelina (Scone Race 5 No. 5) ran well in much better quality races during the Sydney Carnival and the trainer and jockey combined to win last Saturday's Group 1 in Brisbane. Stick with them.
Shannara (Scone Race 6 No. 2) is ready to win after three runs back and Darley do have a habit of winning races they sponsor. Goes well at this track.
Flying Snitzel (Scone Race 7 No. 12) is a horse I am convinced is better kept fresh and kept to the sprinting distances. Has had a freshen-up and drops back from the mile to the seven furlongs.
Miss Steele (Flemington Race 1 No. 11) is the street corner tip this weekend and has been the subject of heavy support. Always wary when the money comes for one from the Mick Kent yard.
Fontelina (Scone Race 5 No. 5) ran well in much better quality races during the Sydney Carnival and the trainer and jockey combined to win last Saturday's Group 1 in Brisbane. Stick with them.
Shannara (Scone Race 6 No. 2) is ready to win after three runs back and Darley do have a habit of winning races they sponsor. Goes well at this track.
Flying Snitzel (Scone Race 7 No. 12) is a horse I am convinced is better kept fresh and kept to the sprinting distances. Has had a freshen-up and drops back from the mile to the seven furlongs.
LOOKING BACK
Eagle Farm
BTC Cup (Group 1, 1200m, w-f-a)
Dr Stats Ph.D. Says: Rain Affair. 2nd. $1.50 place
Apologies for the bad tips in Brisbane last weekend but I don't think anyone could have forseen the track going from a Dead 4 to a Heavy 9 in the space of half an hour.
Locky's Selections
7 Better Than Ready (3rd) $2.30 place
1 Buffering (4th)
3 Temple Of Boom (11th)
Champagne Classic (Group 2, 1200m, 2-y-o set weights)
Bound For Earth the horse to follow.
Locky's Selections
3 Hooked (4th)
1 Octane Flyer (7th)
4 Vilanova (2nd) $2.90 place
Morphettville
Goodwood (Group 1, 1200m, set weights plus penalties)
Dr Stats Ph.D. Says: Yosei. 10th.
Well done to Ben Melham on his third Group 1 winning ride in a fortnight.
Locky's Selections
7 Facile Tigre (15th)
1 Moment Of Change (5th)
5 Galah (8th)
Other bets
Last week I wrote:
Sysmo (Eagle Farm Race 6 No. 14) has been scratched from the Lord Mayors Cup in Sydney to tackle the Chairman's Handicap in Brisbane. Last start sixth behind Kelinni in the JRA Plate on Doncaster Day is good enough form for a race like this. Comes from an in-form stable who last Saturday delivered two winners and four placegetters across three states. 3rd. $2.10 place.
Sysmo (Eagle Farm Race 6 No. 14) has been scratched from the Lord Mayors Cup in Sydney to tackle the Chairman's Handicap in Brisbane. Last start sixth behind Kelinni in the JRA Plate on Doncaster Day is good enough form for a race like this. Comes from an in-form stable who last Saturday delivered two winners and four placegetters across three states. 3rd. $2.10 place.
Someday (Eagle Farm Race 8 No. 6) has five wins and three seconds from nine career starts. He's a winner. I like following winners. The Kelso Wood stable is flying too with 23 winners from 74 starters this season (31.1%). 2nd. $2.30 place.
Drago (Rosehill Race 1 No. 1) is going to start odds-on but he's a horse I've been spruiking and tipping in this column for a few weeks now so I have to stay solid. I think he'll develop into a Derby hope next Spring so he'd want to be taking care of this lot. 1st. $1.30 win.
Forarainyday (Rosehill Race 8 No. 17) caught the eye first-up when flashing into third behind Arinosa and Miss Stellabelle in the Sapphire Stakes. Has never won second-up but hasn't missed a place either. Guy Walter and Blake Shinn are coming off good success in the Sydney Autumn carnival. Each-way. 3rd. $2.00 place.
Imoto (Caulfield Race 2 No. 8) has been well tried in early markets and looks primed for this after two runs back. Has had three starts at the trip for two wins and a luckless close-up third last time out. Won over the mile third-up last preparation. 1st. $2.60 win.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
These are some kick-ass seats.
- Abraham Lincoln, Ford's Theatre, 14 April 1865
- Abraham Lincoln, Ford's Theatre, 14 April 1865
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