Neil Morrice: International Racing – Tuesday 12 May 2020

Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Saint-Cloud  (Paris) and Will Rogers Downs (Australia) on Tuesday 12 May 2020. 

Race 2: No6 – CARTES
Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias – Jockey: Adrien Moreau

A class drop could be what CARTES needs to step up from his pleasing first outing of the year when in the money at Compiegne. The gelded son of German Derby winner Sea The Moon finished runner-up in two of his last three outings as a three-year-old, both at Deauville and gets the vote over SMART WHIP, who after seven months off could be in need of the run, as that’s how it’s been the last two times he’s resumed from a break. MISTER SMART was a winner when last seen but is in the veteran stage, leaving TOP BY COCOONING as potentially the value play in the contest.

Prediction: 6-3-10-5


Race 3: No12 – HURRICANE CLOUD
Trainer: Pascal Bary – Jockey: Pierre-Charles Boudot

Several of the top stables are represented in this 13-runner field of unraced maidens but I can pass on positivity behind HURRICANE CLOUD, a son of the mighty Frankel. The ground will not be as easy as was the case at Longchamp yesterday, making it a level playing field for some beautifully-bred individuals, and Hurricane Cloud is probably advantaged by breaking from stall one. Andre Fabre has three to conjure with, the pick being WESTEROS who is by Kingman out of a Sea The Stars mare. Looking elsewhere, any market support for VASCO DA GAMA would interest me, while WHAZE takes the eye on pedigree and enters calculations for trainer Freddy Head.

Prediction: 12-3-13-2


Race 7: No5 – DASSOM (Each Way)
Trainer: Anastasia Wattel – Jockey: Gregory Benoist

This is very competitive but for value DASSOM is a bet to get into the money. He’s done well for his young trainer, often surpassing his position in the market as when third on his last two outings at 18-1 and 14-1, while he was a 9-1 shot when landing his only success at Maisons-Laffitte just over a year ago. He’s done sufficient work to be fit to do himself justice. MISTER CHARLIE is one that can figure based on the good level of form he displayed before the cessation of racing. Chantilly scorer GLENORCHY could start from where he left off while another long shot of interest is ASTERIOS.

Prediction: 5-11-4-2


Race 8: No3 – ALFAREEQ
Trainer: Freddy Head – Jockey: Aurelien Lemaitre

There’s plenty of winning form in this conditions race with the unbeaten PORT GUILLAUME likely to head the market on the back of his successes for Jean-Claude Rouget at Cagnes-Sur-Mer. But there has to be a question mark about such form from a provincial track standing the test against colts such as ENZEL and ALFAREEQ. The Aga Khan-owned Enzel sported a visor when breaking his maiden here and now returns from six months off. The grey Alfareeq showed promise when second on his debut at Deauville and that was endorsed with victory over a longer trip at the same track at the end of February. In the silks of Sheikh Hamdan, he looks the one to beat.

Prediction: 3-9-2-4

Race 9: No5 – GEMCUTTER
Trainer: Andre Fabre – Jockey: Mickael Barzalona

Seven months is a long time in racing, and especially for a filly graduating from two to three through a European winter. This is what brings fascination to races like the Prix Durban, as VIENNE sets about trying to confirm her Compiegne superiority over GEMCUTTER from last autumn. On that occasion, the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Vienne responded to first-time blinkers to gain a clear cut win, but it remains to be seen which of them has done the better in the close season and whether the form will be confirmed over this slightly longer distance. This is not a two-horse affair either, as ANOBAR brings Listed-placed form to the table, while IRSKA made all for a debut triumph at Chantilly in March and on that evidence is the joker in the pack.

Prediction: 5-3-4-1

Will Rogers Downs Best Bets

Race 6 (Claiming): No10 – ANCONA
Trainer: Robertino Diodoro – Jockey: Ty Kennedy

ANCONA can further what has been a bountiful year with three wins, a second and a third from as many starts. She hasn’t looked back since being rolled as an 8-13 shot at Turf Paradise in February and is unbeaten at this track. The daughter of Gervinho has the outside post but finds plenty of speed around her, making it not the worst place to be. For leading trainer Diodoro she can soon get a grip and lead them home. Stablemate Right On By has attracted support in all three starts since her switch from Delta Downs. While she hasn’t managed a win she is remarkably consistent, having placed on all but one of her eleven races since joining the barn. Getting closer to a win race by race is Diamond Legacy, who should also take home a cheque.

Prediction: 10-8-9


Race 8 (Claiming): No6 – SHELL FIRE
Trainer: Karl Broberg – Jockey: David Cabrera

SHELL FIRE is on a recovery mission after failing to deliver as a 12-5 favourite over track and trip last month. The one time winner in 15 starts has knocked on the door this year, and since his move from Sam Houston is now ready to peak. He made a good fist of delivering on his first WR start when well backed, and that third placing to Its Yes begs to be improved upon. Whiskey Factor is hot off breaking his maiden here when backed as if defeat was out of the question. It might have been a weak race but so is this, and he figures to challenge the main pick. Daring Ego has improved race by race since coming off an eleven-month break, and with three second placings in five starts here, will surely go one better soon.

Prediction: 6-5-3


Race 9 (Allowance): No6 – SWEET CAROLINA
Trainer: Chris Hartman – Jockey: David Cabrera

The best race on the card can go to SWEET CAROLINA, who with two near-misses in as many starts in 2020 deserves a change of luck. By Candy Ride out of an A.P. Indy mare, she opened her account on second start when taking out a maiden claiming at Belmont, then ran into second moving up to allowance at Sunland Park. She debuts for a trainer that is striking at a rate of 60% with three winners from his five runners over the past fortnight. There’s plenty of quality in the outside posts with Always Inthe Munny looking to deliver for a new trainer after belying her odds of 16-1 with a near-miss at Sam Houston. Angel’s Cut has been running with consistency here, while Love To Learn defends a two-race unbeaten record as she steps up the class ladder.

Prediction: 6-12-9