I’m heading to all points of the compass – well three different states anyhow – in search of spring winners on Saturday.
OUTRAGED (Ipswich Race 4 No 2)
Has been racing well and is over the odds in a field which has plenty of plodders. Likes the unique Ipswich track (three wins here) and goes into this with confidence high after coming from the back to win at Doomben last start. Has been no worse than third in six of his last eight starts and thrives when he gets up over 2000m. Admittedly meets Vassal (who he only just beat last time) worse at the weights and will have to come from the back again in a race where there doesn’t look to be much speed. But there are no superstars here and the price available for Outraged is extremely appealing compared to Vassal and favourite My Diamantine. My Diamantine won well last start but bookies are asking you to take $2.80 about a horse which has won just six from 55 starts. Puhleeze.
BET: EACH WAY
ODDS $6.50 @ Sportsbet, Crownbet, William Hill,
OUR BEEBEE (Ipswich Race 6 No 9)
Lightly-raced filly from the Rex Lipp yard that has some real upside and absolutely flies when fresh. Won three in a row in her last campaign before her form tapered off slightly but I’m hearing she has returned well and big things are expected. Will get well back from an inside gate but there should be an absolute stack of pace here which will allow her to settle back and then storm over the top of some tiring ones. Booking of jockey Jim Byrne a big plus this mare needs a calm hand who can be patient and watch for the gaps to appear late. Has won more than half her career starts and ready to add another win to her unbeaten fresh record (two from two).
BET: WIN
ODDS $5 @ Bet365
SHOGUN SUN (Rosehill Race 7 No 11)
Very rare I suggest a place bet as I don’t think it’s very Australian, but on this occasion I feel the $6.10 available for strong Queensland colt Shogun Sun to run in the first three in the Golden Rose is too good to ignore. Had two-year-old form which tied in with Houtzen and then has returned well as a three-year-old including an easy win against the likes of Addictive Nature at Randwick. Importantly, gets to 1400m for the first time in his career and he has been absolutely crying out for it. Got too far back behind Menari last time but was charging late and the extra 200m this time is absolutely ideal. This Written Tycoon gelding hasn’t quite worked out what it is all about (trainer Kelly Schweida has described him to me as ‘dumb’) but he has a huge motor and he will be running a hole in the Golden Rose at good odds. There is enough pace for him up front and he can hold a midfield spot from a decent draw.
BET: PLACE
ODDS $6.10 @ Ladbrokes
RAVI (Caulfield Race 8 No 6)
The Snowden team have felt for a while that this mare is of the highest calibre. Some different tactics last start proved a godsend and showed us just what she is capable of. Ridden positively out of the barriers, instead of being back near last as usual, and she showed a fabulous turn of foot to demolish her Group III Sheraco Stakes rivals. She has to step it up another notch as she has previously finished behind some of her rivals such as Fuhryk and Missrock. But a change is as good as a holiday and a more positive riding plan (well at least in the first half off the field, not back last) can make the difference. She goes well second-up and is ready to bridge the gap between potential and performance.
BET: WIN
ODDS $6.50 @ Ladbrokes (odds boost)
