Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Friday’s racing taking place at Gulfstream Park, Kranji, Pakenham Park and Muswellbrook.
Gulfstream Park Best Bets
Race 1 (Maiden Special Weight)
COUNTERSTRIKE (1)
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
From a perfect gate, COUNTERSTIKE looks the ace in the pack. He wasn’t in any way fully tuned up on his debut over course and distance early last month but made a race of it with Fancy Liquor. The son of Street Boss has improved mentally for the outing and can deliver.
Race 6 (Maiden Special Weight)
FELIX THE FOX (1)
Trainer: Claude McGaughey
Jockey: John Velazquez
Plenty in this have good form to bring to the table but the value lies with FELIX THE FOX. The grey son of Tapit has been a beaten favourite on his last two starts but the losses sustained on him when he failed to hold Bold Luminaries over course and distance at the end of last month can be recouped. His trainer and jockey are operating at high strike-rates.
Race 8 (Allowance Optional Claiming)
FRENCHMAN STREET (3)
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: T Gaffalione
When delivering over course and distance last time FRENCHMAN STREET was making it a third triumph from his last four outings. The Malibu Moon gelding has been training like a horse that can add this to his laurels and enhance his trainer’s chance of topping the standings here.
Race 9 (Allowance Optional Claiming)
MONEY MOVES (1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Luis Saez
While respect is given to both Soros and Edge Of Fire the one to be on is MONEY MOVES who can prove a topically-named winner of one of the day’s highlights. The Candy Ride colt was backed to odds-on when scoring on a sloppy track on his introduction and will have learned plenty as he defends his unbeaten record.
Kranji Best Bets
Race 2: SPORTSCASTER (2)
Trainer: M Walker
Jockey: V Duric
The draw has been kinder to SPORTSCASTER in this Class 5 on Polytrack than on his previous outing when he manfully touched it out from a wide draw and almost pulled the race out of the fire. If getting out, in the same manner, should be hard to catch. He should find Scooter the main stumbling block. The latter dominated weaker opposition when scoring last time and has to be taken seriously.
Race 7: GLASGOW (2) (Each Way)
Trainer: Stephen Burridge
Jockey: S Noh
Having performed creditably in his 4yo Group campaign, GLASGOW should be primed to put one on the board after two readying runs this season. His trainer adds headgear in the form of blinkers and a pacifier. He should see plenty of real estate from his berth one off the rail, while his is his optimum trip.
The ones for the exotics could be Minister, who also takes a class drop after a couple of promising barrier trials, and Wolf Warrior.
Race 8: MADE IN RUSSIA (1)
Trainer: D Freedman
Jockey: R Maia
Unlucky to not nearly win last time when meeting all kinds of traffic problems, MADE IN RUSSIA can make amends in this 1600m Class 4. The Wild Bunch found 1600m a bridge too far last time and could be the hare he has to gun down off an enterprising ride, and with a traffic-free passage that can happen.
Race 9: CHALAZA (5) (Nap)
Trainer: Stephen Burridge
Jockey: M Rodd
Having hit the woodwork the last twice this is another good opportunity for CHALAZA, who is, proven in this grade, to shine. The set up of the race should play to his strengths, as a strong pace looks on the cards, and he’s closer with a powerful finish.
Pakenham Park Best Bets
Race 1: INZAGHI (4)
Trainer: Anthony Freedman
Jockey: J McNeil
Fresh from a break INZAGHI holds the cards in this fillies’ maiden and can favourite backers off to a perfect start in the opener. Her trainer removes the blinkers evident for her last start 33 weeks ago.
Race 5: TOUCH OF MINK (3)
Trainer: C Maher / D Eustace
Jockey: J McNeil
This distaffers’ handicap can go to TOUCH OF MINK whose career record of $221,000 has almost repaid her purchase price. She comes here off the back of a nice win at Canberra and should enjoy the track, trip and ground.
Race 7: OLD HEAD (2)
Trainer: Patrick Payne
Jockey: M Dee
Connections of OLD HEAD opted to go for this maiden plate in favour of four other races and the hint should be taken. The NZ-bred gelding has pleased in his trials and just gets the nod over market rival Majestic Missile.
Muswellbrook (NSW) Best Bets
Race 4: GREAT DANGER (3)
Trainer: Kris Lees
Jockey: S Clenton
A wide drawn should not prevent GREAT DANGER from landing one of the least competitive handicaps on the card. The selection’s excellent gate speed can get him into a stalking position early, and if displaying the same turn of foot evident at the business end of his first outing this prep he should prevail.
Race 7: KEN’S DREAM (2)
Trainer: Ciaron Maher / David Eustace
Jockey: L Day
The featured Muswellbrook Cup can fall to 6yo KEN’S DREAM who is perfectly drawn but just needs to show he can handle easier ground. The son of Dream Ahead went close last time at Canberra and this five times winner looks a more reliable proposition than likely favourite Shock Alert who has to overcome a potentially impossible draw in 18.
Race 8: THE LAUNCHER (5) (Each Way)
Trainer: Melanie O’Gorman
Jockey: S Clenton
THE LAUNCHER is enjoying a bountiful season and went within a neck of making his latest start at Tamworth a third success. He’s got a good draw three off the fence which Is not the case with Absolute Trust so the big danger is Whiteley who competes with blinkers removed and should finish off his race strongly.
