Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing taking place at Geelong, Funabashi and Oaklawn Park.
More international tips for tomorrow:
Geelong Best Bets
Race 2: No12 – SACRED GODDESS
Trainer: Lindsey Smith – Jockey: Dean Yendall
SACRED GODDESS did too much too soon on her first run and was run down by Little Mermaid. Next time she stayed on for minor pickings at Terang. Beaten an aggregate of just 2.5 lengths in those races, she’s going to strip fitter and has a fine opportunity to break her maiden. SPANISH PEAKS and BACHELOR BARON are also entitled to get into it.
Prediction: 12-5-2
Race 8: No1 – AREE AL
Trainer: Levi Kavanagh – Jockey: Damien Oliver
AREE AL improved for first time blinkers when returning from a five month break to finish second at Sandown-Hillside, finishing well and beaten just a head by Beauty Bolt. Having broken his maiden first time up at Cranbourne last August he placed in four of his next five starts in 2019. He looks to have benefitted from his break and is ready to win again. SAVEYOURENTHUSIASM can threaten if getting a tidy break, while recent scorer EDINBURGH has strong claims.
Prediction: 1-9-5
Funabashi Best Bets
Race 2: No9 – METCALFIA
Trainer: Masashige Honda – Jockey: Yuma Sato
The Turtle Bowl filly METCALFIA has shown promise on both outings here and especially when returning from a four-month break to go down in a three-way photo to Paris No Honoo last month. ONE MONSTER was inches ahead on that occasion but I fancy the placings to be turned round. VICIEDO was further back but can claim minor money.
Prediction: 9-1-3
Race 4: No10 – MEISHO MINAMOTO
Trainer: Sinobu Sakai – Jockey: Satoshi Saito
Having looked a much-improved horse this year, MAISHO MINAMOTO can make this a second win from four outings in 2020. The 5yo displayed good track craft when scoring decisively over the course and distance early last month and went down by a narrow margin when going for a quick follow-up. He can show that those two quick races haven’t left their mark and overcome a difficult gate placing, with MANHATTAN SONG and MASSIVE APPLAUSE others to consider.
Prediction: 10-5-9
Race 5: No6 – COUP DE CHATEAU
Trainer: Seiji Sakai – Jockey: Masato Hayashi
With identical conditions to his authoritative win here in February and narrow defeat at the same track a fortnight ago, the stage is set for COUP DE CHATEAU to rule the roost in this. He’s found his form with a vengeance and can have the upper hand over WEDDING PHOTO and RYUNO FLICK.
Prediction: 6-12-7
Race 7: No4 – QUICK WORKER
Trainer: Norifumi Mikamoto – Masakazu Kawashima
The recent consistency of QUICK WORKER makes him the most reliable play in this Class 2. The son of King Kamehameha couldn’t maintain his forcing role over course and distance, getting grabbed close to the line, before finishing a four lengths third to Yoko with more patient tactics employed. He’s shown he can operate both ways and may be able to resist likely market leader TOMIKEN MISTERIO with SUNDAY STREET a lively outsider.
Prediction: 4-3-6
Race 9: No4 – VIVANT FILLE (Nap)
Trainer: Taito Mori – Jockey: Hiroaki Shina
Having possibly been made too much use of when caught be Suzuno Chelsea it’s no surprise to see Mori giving VIVANT FILLE a minor tug on the distance ladder, as it was over this 1600m that the Gold Allure filly destroyed her foes by six lengths on comeback in mid February. From a perfect slot in the barrier she looks set to dominate her opponents and rates the best bet on the card. TROPEXIENNE is one to tread carefully with, and can earn.
Prediction: 4-7-5
Oaklawn Park Best Bets
Race 4 (Claiming): No6 – STAYTHIRSTYMYAMIGO
Trainer: Genaro Garcia – Jockey: Fernando de la Cruz
A dual scorer as a juvenile and at 3, STATHIRSTYMYAMIGO is 1-1 in her four-year-old career with a win that sets a target for the others to aim at. The daughter of Stay Thirsty can build on that Claiming success at the beginning of the month with FIGHT TO GLORY looming as a real danger, given that she finished first and second on her only two starts and is entitled to progress. SWEET TATUM should also be included in exotics.
Prediction: 6-4-10
Race 6 (Allowance): No2 – SAVEDBYANANGEL
Trainer: John Henry Prather Jr – Jockey: Joe Talamo
The distaffers feature can go to SAVEDBYANANGEL who has placed in two identical races since breaking her maiden. She’s shown consistency throughout her short career, has a good gate with a top navigator in the irons and has to go well. LIL TATER steps up after opening her account here the other day and is respected while JERI BELLA landed a Waiver Claiming here in February before getting into the money in am Allowance and is also respected.
Prediction: 2-6-9
