International Racing: Wednesday 09 September 2020 – Australia

Eagle Farm

Race 5.
HOWWONDERFULLIFEIS and PIZONIE renew their rivalry here and a form reversal is a distinct possibility. The former finished a neck behind the latter in their last clash over this c&d, but is 2.5kgs better off at today’s weights. This should be more than enough for the table to be turned. The pair are drawn alongside each other so neither will gain any advantage there. INVINCIBLE GANGSTA followed up his penultimate run victory over five furlongs with a fifth place finish next time out over the same distance. He was just one length behind the winner that day, despite racing wide. He jumps from gate three and should be involved in the finish.

Race 6.
Two fillies and a mare look as if they can dominate the finish of this race and complete the trifecta, but the firm top choice goes to TAYELLA who has only had the two runs to date. She finished second over this trip last time out despite racing wide. This after she had ended up in third over five furlongs on debut. She gets to jump from a handy draw four and with the further improvement to be expected, she looks to be the one that they all have to beat. LITTLE RIVER made good late progress when finishing third on debut over five furlongs. She has a wide draw of ten to negotiate, but she would have learnt with the run under her belt and on that effort, she should be suited to the extra ground on offer here. LUCKY TIME is drawn one outside the latter, but has shown gradual improvement in her last two runs, finishing second in her latest over 1300M, just a neck behind the winner. She hung over the closing stages of that contest and should have finished closer as a result.

Race 7.
STAY SMART has cracked pole position and has consistent formlines to his name. He has his peak run here after a 14 week absence and did finish second last time out over 1100M. He is likely to turn in another honest performance and is taken to be the value bet on today’s program. MIDLAND had finished second twice in a row before winning his maiden race by three and a half lengths last time out over five furlongs when returning from a 15 week rest. He jumps from gate three and although taking on stronger today, he could emerge as the biggest danger to the top choice. HIGHLAND SON put nearly four lengths between himself and the opposition when winning last time out over five furlongs. He was returning from a 14 week break that day and is drawn one inside the latter.


Race 8.
This looks to be a tricky race to end off the Jackpot and some caution is advised. The narrow top pick goes to BROOKLYN STAR who is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys. She followed up her narrow penultimate run victory over 1100M with a second place finish over 1300M next time out, just a short-head back from the winner. She returns from a 27 week break, but she has had the benefit of a barrier trial. WOODLEY’S GOLD showed marked improvement when staying on well to finish second last time out over five furlongs, a head behind the victor. He is draw one outside the former and should be right up there when they hit the line. GRAND ZOU returns from a 29 week break during which time he was gelded, but he has had four barrier trials to improve his fitness. He will have to overcome gate ten, but gets the services of ex-SA jockey Robbie Fradd, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle. READY TO ROAM made late progress when fifth in his last outing over five furlongs. From draw six, he should be included in all bets.

Race 4.
RATHVILLY MISS is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has her hat-trick run here after winning her last start over seven furlongs by a head. She battled all the way down to the wire that day and there appears to be no reason to believe that she won’t enjoy going the extra distance today. She has gate five and is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card. KNOWITALL JACK was only outrun very late when ending up second last time out over this c&d, a neck behind the winner. He jumps from a handy draw three and will get 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice. LOVE SHACK BABY showed good improvement last time out when finishing second over seven furlongs when returning from a 15 week rest. He has drawn gate seven and will have 2kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming appie to aid his cause.

Race 5.
PLAQUETTE is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she showed marked improvement when finishing strongly to win her last outing over 1100M by a length. She was returning from a 20 week absence that day and the rest seems to have been just what she needed. She faces the widest draw of them all, but nevertheless should be right up there when they hit the line. HULK made good late progress to finish second in his last start over the c&d, one length off the victor. He has a wideish draw of ten, but still should be involved in the finish here. ASUDEM won his last outing over 1300M and was immediately rested for 26 weeks. He returns here after having had two barrier trial, winning the latest. He has a slightly kinder draw seven and should be respected in this line-up. AL MAH HAHA returns from a 22 week rest and has posted an encouraging barrier trial. He was seldom far off the action before his break, finishing a head behind the winner over seven furlongs before the rest. He has a wide draw of twelve to deal with, but should be doing his best work late.  


Race 6.
BIG PARADE has cracked pole position and has consistent formlines to his credit. He jumped awkwardly before recovering to finish fourth in his last start over 1100M when returning from a 31 week break. He stayed on well that day suggesting that the extra ground available here will be to his liking. He gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time and if these have the desired effect, he could be the one that they all have to beat. PLONKA has been scratched from the previous, perhaps on the basis that his connections believe that he will do better in this company. He has his second run after a 21 week break after finishing four in his comeback outing over 1100M and will jump from gate five. WANDER is drawn one outside the latter and followed up his penultimate run victory over six furlongs with a sixth place finish next time out over 1100M. He will get the services of a 3kg claiming apprentice.


Race 7.
DUBAI STAR has her second run after a 23 week rest, but showed solid improvement when ending up in third place last time out over six furlongs, just over a half length behind the winner. She tried to go from jump to wire that day and from draw nine here, she is likely to attempt similar tactics. ALCHERMES missed out on her hat-trick last time out when sixth over 1500M. She returns from a 17 week break, but has had the two barrier trials, winning the last. She has a handy draw two and drops down to what appears to be a more suitable distance. AVON RIVER has her first run after a 27 week break, but has had the two barrier trials to showcase her well-being. She had shown improvement in her last two runs before the rest and from gate seven, she should be included in all bets.  

Best Bet: AMERICAN SOUL (Race 6)
Value Bet: EUROTRIP (Race 4)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7).. – Cost: R90.00.