International Racing: Australia – 08 August 2020

Best
Bet: PLETTO (Race 2)

Value
Bet: PEARLS AND PRAWNS (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 6 – 9).

Cost: R135.00.

Race 2

Two
5yr old mares may battle it out for top spot here and complete the exacta, but
the top pick goes to the ultra-consistent PLETTO, who is yet
to finish out of the first three places in all of her seven runs to date. She
won her last start over this c&d by almost three lengths and has her peak
outing today. Despite being drawn out at gate eight, she is taken to be the
best bet on today’s program. BEDOUIN BELLE steps up in distance after three solid efforts over
five furlongs. She was staying on well in her last outing and on that effort,
she should not have an issue with going the extra furlong. SEA WAR returns from a 13 week rest, but did win
his only barrier trial to prove his well-being. He did not quicken in the
closing stages of his last start over this trip when missing out on his
hat-trick, that after posting two wins over 1100M. From a handy gate two, he
should be involved in the finish here.  

Race 6

This
looks a tricky race to open up the Jackpot and some caution is advised. LEADING GIRL is
a 5yr old mare taking on the boys and has her first run since a lengthy 62 week
break, but she finished second in her barrier trial to confirm her fitness. She
drops in trip after winning her last start over a mile, but she had finished
second, a head behind the winner in her penultimate outing over this distance,
so this should not present a problem. NERODIO was only run out of it late before finishing
second in his last outing over this c&d. 0.8L off the victor. He gets to
jump from gate four and could be the biggest danger to the top choice. DOUBLE BUBBLE is also a 5yr old
mare who is seldom far off the action and ended up eighth in her last start
over five furlongs, but just 2.8L back. She has drawn a tad wide at gate eight,
but nevertheless should be included in all bets. BEL MY PAGO is a
6yr old mare who has finished second in her last two runs and was just a half
length back in her last outing. Her draw three will do no harm.

Race 7

PEARLS AND PRAWNS is
a 6yr old mare taking on males, but she was a jump to wire winner of her last
start over the c&d. She won by a cozy one and a half lengths that day and
is likely to adopt similar tactics here. She has gate seven and looks to be the
value in the race. WE’VE GOT DREAMS is a 4yr old filly who has won three of her last five
runs. She finished third last time out over this c&d and should put in
another honest performance today, starting from draw five. MONEY MATTERS returns from a 23 week rest, but did
win his barrier trial, which is encouraging. He is drawn one inside the latter
and drops in trip from the mile of his last start victory before the break. If
not finding the trip on the sharp side, he should be right up there when they
hit the line.

Race 8

TIFF HAS SPOKEN has consistent
formlines to his credit and was making good late progress when second over the
1300M at this track last time out, just a head off the winner. He has a handy
three draw and could be the one to side with here. PLAYING MARIKA is a 5yr old mare
taking on boys, but she showed marked improvement when finishing third last
time out over seven furlongs. She gets the blinkers re-fitted for today’s run
and if these make her concentrate all the way down to the wire, she could
threaten the top pick. DARK MISSION is
a 4yr old filly who steps up in distance from the six furlongs of her last
outing when 2.6L behind the winner. She has her peak run here and will have to
negotiate a wide draw of eleven, but she should be doing her best work late.

Race 9

QUEEN TAKES KING is a 4yr old filly
taking on males. She renews her rivalry with SOWAR today after finishing 1.3L in front of him in
their last clash over this c&d. She is 1.5kgs worse off at today’s weights which
should bring the pair closer together, but she is still preferred here as she
stayed on well that day and has a slighter better draw. The latter was making
good late progress in that contest and we can expect a close tussle as the two
fight it out right down to the line. BOMBAY STYLE missed out on his
hat-trick last time out when 2.4L behind the winner over a mile. He had won his
two previous starts over that same distance and takes a big step up in trip
today. He does not have the best of draws at gate eleven, but he may well be
looking for this greater test of stamina and as such should not be overlooked
here.