International Racing: Stawell – Friday 22 May 2020

A small, but competitive nine-race programme is scheduled for Stawell on Friday. The best bet is TOTAL CRAFT in Race 2. She has been ultra-consistent having placed in her last four outings and shoulders a slightly lesser weight in this contest. She looks hard to oppose on form and can shed her maiden tag this afternoon. 

Other International racing tips for Friday
Vichy
Coffs Harbour
Geraldton
Canberra
Stawell
Cranbourne

Neil Morrice Tips

Best Bet: TOTAL CRAFT (Race 2) 
Value Bet: JUKILA (Race 5)

Race 1
INZAGHI is a filly taking on males. She disappointed last time out when strongly fancied but she brings the most consistent form into this race and will surprisingly have the tongue-tie fitted for the first time. MISCHEVIOUS LAD tired in his last start at Cranbourne to finish four lengths behind the winner. He should strip much fitter for this contest and could be the biggest threat to the top selection. SAMATAR gets the blinkers removed this afternoon and could have a say if reproducing some of his earlier form.

Race 2 
TOTAL CRAFT has been a model of consistency and looks the best bet on the card. The daughter of Starcraft hasn’t been too far off the winner in her last four outings and can exit the maiden ranks this afternoon. COWBOY made a fair debut in soft going and looks to have the scope to improve over the extra 100m on offer this afternoon. I DREAM OF JENA is another filly that brings consistent form into the race. She was making steady progress in the latter stages of her last outing and she should be doing her best work late once again.

Race 3
This is a very open contest and some caution is advised. DON’T MATTER is much better than his last two performances suggest and if recapturing some of his earlier form, he could represent some value in a race that is not all cut-and-dried. The son of Chatline has finished midfield in his last two attempts but has some attractive prior form that needs to be considered. LONROCK is still lightly raced and will likely start the race as favourite. He has shown some potential in his three starts to date and will likely settle just off the speed, he also has obvious scope for improvement. SHOWBAG shoulders a slightly lighter weight this afternoon and could run into the places.

Race 4
MARK THE HORSE has the speed to overcome his wide draw and should strip a much fitter horse in this contest. The son of Warrior’s Reward placed third at Bendigo, just five days ago, and looks the one to beat in this Maiden Plate. THINK NO EVIL has performed well in his last two starts and will have the benefit of jumping from a neat draw this afternoon. He finished third over this trip at Pakenham Park in his penultimate outing and must have claims based on that effort. SON OF SUNNY faces a tough task in beating the top selection but he finished not too far off the winner in his last start at Wangaratta and could represent some value in this contest.

Race 5 
JUKILA is the value bet on the card. He is in search of a hat-trick this afternoon and could be the one they all have to beat if he relishes the extra ground on offer. This will be the longest trip he has raced over but he has shown staying prowess in his previous outings, having already won over 2700m. The top rating CASTEL SANT’ANGELO will have his admirers as he meets slightly weaker competition. His form prior to his last run is very attractive and he should have no issues with the trip. REBEL WITH A CAUSE didn’t shape last time out on this track but that particular formline is worth following, as three horses have come out to win since.

Race 6
PEDDLER likes to race keenly in the early stages of a race and he should be right up there with the speed. He fought gamely last time out at Swan Hill to only get beaten in the closing stages and must be respected again in this class. ROYAL TYKE placed in his handicap debut in this class. He seems to enjoy the cut in the ground and with predicted soft conditions, he could be the biggest danger to the top selection. ARDEEO gets relief in the weights and if recapturing some of his form before the break, he could run into the places.

Race 7
The top rating NOVA WAY placed over this trip last time out when only tiring from the 150m mark and it is encouraging that Logan McNeil retains the ride for this afternoon’s contest. The apprentice allowance will surely assist once again and the pair can go much closer this time around.  LADY DELIGHT has a creditable victory on this course and also placed in her handicap debut. She can give the males a good run for their money. REWARDING RUBY is another filly that is taking on males and although she took some time to shed her maiden tag, she followed that win up with a decent effort and must be respected again.

Race 8
FRATELLO didn’t shape last time out against stronger but he has his third run after a rest and should find a swift form return back in this class. THE ENZO raced off the speed last time out to only go down three lengths at the wire. The chestnut is likely to adopt the same tactics and he should be doing his best work in the latter stages. DROVER’S YARN finished midfield last time out but he interestingly tries pads in front for the first time. If these have the desired effect, he could pull off an upset in this contest.

Race 9
CHASE AWARD is yet to run a bad race and he looks hard to oppose in this contest with the recent scratching of WHITMORE. The New Zealand-bred is the top-rated horse in the race and is likely to race up with the speed. He will surely put in another bold effort this afternoon. Seven-time winner OUR DEXTER finished just out of the money last time but if the veteran can return to his best form, he could be the biggest danger to the top selection. SUNDAY NIGHT TEA has placed twice over this trip and only finished three lengths behind the winner last time out. He cannot be ignored in this contest.