Australian Racing – Friday 22 October 2021

Best Bet: ZOU DE MOON (Race 6)

Value Bet: TOTO (Race 7)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8).

Cost: R90.00

Race 5.

There are three unraced runners in the field, one of which, MR BURGUNDY has put in two very encouraging barrier trials, finishing second in the first and winning the latest, so keep a keen eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether the geldings connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for him or either of the other two runners should be respected.

Of the raced runners, two 4yr old and one 3yr old filly could dominate the finish and complete the trifecta, with the slight preference going to SHARKOSPHERE, who was bumped at the start, but then finished strongly to just fail to get up in the shadow, beaten a short-head when making her debut over six furlongs. She would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected and with having a barrier trial since that outing, she could find herself in the winner box at the second time of asking, jumping from gate seven.

I’M NOT SLEW stayed on well when having her first start, ending up in second place over five furlongs, a half length back from the winner, this after having had three barrier trials before that outing. She would have come on with that run under her belt and should enjoy the extra ground on offer here. Her draw five will do her no harm.

LADY MOFEED showed marked improvement in her last two runs, finishing second and then third last time out over 1100M, just a half length behind the victor. She returns from a 38 week break, but has had the one barrier trial and has her first outing for her new trainer. If fully settled into her new surroundings, she should give a good account of herself here, given her handy draw two and with having 2kgs taken off her back thanks to her claiming apprentice.

Race 6.

With the late scratching of one of her main rivals, the door may have opened for today’s best bet, ZOU DE MOON to chalk up her third career victory. She is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has only had the four runs to date, recording two wins and one second place finish, with her only unplaced effort being her penultimate start over 1250M. She put that disappointing run firmly behind her by winning by 0.8L last time out over six furlongs when returning from an 18 week rest. She finished well that day suggesting that she should enjoy today’s extra distance and the form of that race has stood up well with three runners out of that contest subsequently winning. From gate two, she could prove hard to topple.

BUBA is a 5yr old mare who’s last two runs have been solid, finishing third over 1500M in her penultimate start and second over a mile last time out, two lengths behind the winner, despite coming four wide into the home straight. She gets draw six and could be the biggest threat to the top choice.

HARLEM GROOVE won his penultimate start over 1300M and was then eased out of the race in his next outing over seven furlongs, failing to finish, but he has finished second in a subsequent barrier trial to showcase his well-being. From a cozy gate three, he will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways today.

Race 7.

Although TOTO is recorded as finishing fifth in his last start over five furlongs, he was just 2.3L back from the winner. He battled all the way down to the wire that day when returning from a lengthy 32 week absence and if showing the same determination here, he could be the one that they all have to beat. As such, he is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.

DEPLOYS ALONE had his consistency rewarded with a one length victory last time out over 1100M, notwithstanding being forced wide approaching the home turn. He kicked clear at the 175M mark and then held off all the late challengers over the closing stages. He faces a wide gate eleven, but on the plus side, he will have 2kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice to aid his cause.

VELORUM is drawn one outside the latter and had solid formlines to his name before being a tad disappointing last time out, finishing seventh over five furlongs, just under six and a half lengths adrift of the winner, but it should be noted that he did jump awkwardly that day. He has his first run for his new trainer and returns from a 37 week break, but has had the benefit of three barrier trials, winning the last two.

Race 8.

LADY RIVER is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she has consistent formlines to her credit and raced three wide into the home stretch before taking the lead at the 300M pole and only being run out of it close to home, eventually ending up in fourth spot last time out over six furlongs, 1.7L off the winner. She returns from a 13 week rest and has not had a barrier trial, so her fitness will have to be taken on trust. She will have to overcome a wide gate eleven, but nevertheless she should turn in another honest performance today.

BRAVE ENOUGH jumped awkwardly before finishing fifth in his latest outing over five furlongs, just under three lengths behind the winner, but that was at a stronger center and the form of that race has been franked, with three runners out of the contest subsequently winning.

FAATINAAT is another 4yr old filly in the race and stayed on strongly after being slow away and hampered entering the home straight to finish up in fifth place last time out over five furlongs, 0.8L back from the winner. She gets gate seven and should be included in all bets