Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Mornington, Will Rogers Downs and Funabashi on Tuesday 31 March 2020.
Mornington Best Bets
Race 4: NEW CHOICE (6)
Trainer: Carlo Vidotto
Jockey: Joe Bowditch
Placed in two of his six career starts, NEW CHOICE has shown sufficient of late to go out and break his maiden. His stable haven’t sent out a winner since mid-November but there’s much to like about him now racing out of the city. High Done could give them a target as was the case for his last race at Sale while first-time blinkers can inspire Alphaville.
Prediction: 6-1-3
Race 6: ONEIRA (6)
Trainer: Allison Sheehan
Jockey: Chelsea Hall
The hooded ONEIRA was the last winner for this stable at Geelong back in August and the mare gets a good chance of breaking the deadlock from a great spot one off the fence. She should enjoy a nice tow into the contest to avenge her narrow defeat at Bairnsdale, with Bellarine Beauty the main stumbling block to success.
Prediction: 6-1-4
Race 8: ARIGATO (8) (Nap)
Trainer: Shane Nicholls
Jockey: Jake Noonan
With Dratini and Admiral Michelle poorly drawn the safest option is ARIGATO coming back off a four-month break. The Nicholls stable is popping its corks this season with a dozen successes to add to the Futurity Stakes triumph of Streets Of Avalon. Jockey Noonan is also enjoying a bountiful campaign and the combination carries the best bet tag.
Prediction: 8-3-10
Will Rogers Downs Best Bets
Race 2: UNDIVIDED (4) (Claiming)
Trainer: Martin Lozano
Jockey: Jason Eads
UNDIVIDED was faced with some daunting tasks earlier in her career but showed she’s ready to put one on the board when second on her first start of the year over course and distance a fortnight ago. She’s earned on five of her last six outings and will surely go close if topping that run, as she’s fully entitled to do.
Prediction: 4-1-7
Race 7: CITY GONE COUNTRY (3) (Claiming)
Trainer: Ken Nolen
Jockey: Lane Luzzi
There was a lot to like about the way Ffurgie scored here a couple of weeks ago while Ancona also impressed with a deserved win and looks to be improving with racing. However, the value bet against them is CITY GONE COUNTRY who left the cash behind when narrowly missing out on her first outing for her trainer at Delta Downs at the end of January. She could easily progress from that on her first run here.
Prediction: 3-7-2
Race 9: OUR MUSICAL MOMENT (7) (Allowance)
Trainer: H Ashford Jr
Jockey: Ken Tohill
Winner of the Iowa Stallion Filly Stakes on final start last year, OUR MUSICAL MOMENT continued from where she left off by scoring at Sam Houston at the start of the month. She can maintain her unbeaten status in 2020 and make this card feature a seventh win on her sixteenth start. Reachreachreach and Lesley’s Song are also worth putting into the mix.
Prediction: 7-2-6
Race 10: SHAWN AGAIN (3) (Maiden Claiming)
Trainer: James Helzer
Jockey: Curtis Kimes
Four horses have a big experience edge on the others with SHAWN AGAIN the most interesting. He couldn’t quite convert when going off a well-backed favourite for his second run back from a break, but that should have blown away the cobwebs. Burbach is respected and can pose a threat if near his best, while Danzing River might have improved for a break.
Prediction: 3-8-7
Funabashi Best Bets
Race 1: TACK DO (5)
Trainer: Toshiya Yamamoto
Jockey: Katsumi Degawa
It was by the width of a well-smoked cigarette that TACK DO failed to hold off My Funky over the course and distance last month. The selection is threatening to win and preferred to Enfant De Dieu who can improve on his own near-miss last time. Kitasan Nagisa should also be played in exotics.
Prediction: 5-9-7
Race 9: TAISEI GREED (10) (Nap)
Trainer: Takayuki Yano
Jockey: Nobuhiro Yamada
Having blitzed his foes with a five lengths defeat of Surf Shaper over course and distance mid-month, TAISEI GREED is clearly in a good place and can now consolidate. Previously he finished strongly but too late over a longer trip (1500m), so there’s a versatile side to his make up. Surf Shaper might again have to chase his shadow, while Mode France could also get involved.
Prediction: 10-4-8
Race 10: EURIDICE (10)
Trainer: Mickaelle Michel
Jockey: Masakazu Kawashima
For a confirmed closer, the rail isn’t necessarily the best place for EURIDICE to be leaving the gate and his pilot will have to be on the case. However, with a reasonable break, he will be a threat to all at the end of the 1000 metres. He’s finished off both latest outings here with some gusto. Shudaika has been tried over varying distances and possibly didn’t stay when failing to get out of his own way over 1200m and should appreciate this cut back in trip. Break Free hasn’t shown much of late, but is better than those efforts indicate.
Prediction: 10-9-6
Race 12: CHEVALIER D’AMOUR (5)
Trainer: Mickaelle Michel
Jockey: Masakazu Kawashima
Superior track craft has helped enable CHEVALIER D’AMOUR to complete an impressive hat-trick and he seems just as good at 1500m or 1600m. He likes to stalk his foes before outstaying them whilst he has a turn of foot that he engages to lethal effect. King’s Mission went close here two runs back and has stable confidence behind him, while Niyodo Hunter could menace if overcoming a wide draw.
Prediction: 5-6-12
