AUTUMN MARCHES ON

G1 Australian Cup at Flemington is the main race this Saturday though there are two Group 1s at Rosehill in the Vinery Stakes and Tancred Stakes.

For the Greyhounds Heats of the Golden Easter Egg will be run at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

Friday night sees Harness racing from Terang for the Pacing and Trotting Cups whilst the Gold Bracelet, Crown and Tiara are run at Bathurst on Saturday night.

FRIDAY FILL-UP

Cranbourne Friday – 1300m (R5 7.45pm) – No.6 LADY SADLER $2.40

LADY SADLER returns from a 21-week lay off and will get the blinkers back on as she looks to get back in the winner’s circle. She’s had her best showing when racing at 1400m and below having never placed at the mile or above, so this is perfectly within her wheelhouse. The McDonald camp have given her the best possible chance first up with three trials in the lead up to build fitness, finishing second on the Southside track here in her most recent two weeks ago.

PRICE GUIDE

Flemington Saturday – G1 TAB Australian Cup 2000m (R8 4.15pm)

The progressive BIRDMAN opened a narrow favourite but has seen plenty of support in the early betting. He has quickly worked his way into Australian Cup contention after hitting his stride perfectly so far this campaign with back to back wins in the Blamey and Peter Young Stakes, flying home on both occasions while posting race best closing splits in the Blamey. He had APULIA behind him on each occasion, beating him by more than two lengths at this track over the mile before holding him out again over 1800m at Caulfield in their most recent start. Now stepping out to 2000m, the favourite maps to get a soft enough run from barrier five and with plenty of tempo up front, his turn of foot and current form make him one of the clear horses to beat.

Winning both runs this prep, TOM KITTEN has resumed in terrific order after taking out the Kevin Heffernan Stakes first-up before proving too strong again in the All-Star Mile, taking it out for the second year in a row. That run was full of merit as he had to build into the race from a long way out and still found enough late to go past his rivals in fast time. The rise to 2000m is no concern given he’s already won at the trip, and third-up his fitness shouldn’t be an issue. The wide draw is the clear knock, especially if he ends up posted without cover or forced to drift too far back early, but if Craig Williams can slot in somewhere midfield with a touch of cover, he looks one of the main threats to the favourite.

There are no real map surprises around PRIDE OF JENNI, with the star mare almost certain to roll forward and try to turn this into a true staying contest. Her All-Star Mile return suggested she’s come back well, setting a strong tempo as usual and refusing to fold when challenged, only going down narrowly to Tom Kitten and Evaporate late. She may get a little pressure from JUST FINE in the gate next to her out wide with both rolling forward, trying to cross and take up handy positions, but she still looks the clear leader. If Damian Lane is allowed to dictate at her preferred rhythm, she can make this a proper test. As always with her, if the chasing brigade leave their run too late she can pinch the race before they know it.

Ready to peak third-up, LEICA LUCY looks the horse who could easily be charging into the finish if the tempo is strong enough. She was solid first-up in the Futurity before hitting the line strongly in the All-Star Mile, where she recorded the best final 200m of the race but wasn’t able to push for the minors after settling well back and giving the leaders a big start. That run had plenty of merit and the step to 2000m now looks ideal but would need something to really go her way to take out anything more than a spot in the minors as she still looks for her first win on Australian soil.

Rosehill Saturday – G1 Tancred Stakes 2400m (R8 4.35pm)

The market will centre around AELIANA, who comes here off a deserved Group 1 win in the Ranvet Stakes and now gets to 2400m, a trip that she’s had Group 1 success at in the past, taking out the Australian Derby at Randwick last year. She had already returned in terrific order this campaign with back to back seconds behind star mare Autumn Glow in the Apollo and Verry Elleegant putting a gap to third on both occasions. She settled just off them in the Ranvet, travelled keenly enough early, then peeled out and kept finding through the line to reel in Lindermann late. The obvious query is the seven-day back-up, but she maps to get another economical run in transit and with James McDonald sticking, she looks beautifully placed to take the next step.

Returning to Sydney again, DUBAI HONOUR won this race last year before backing it up with an outstanding second in the Queen Elizabeth behind Via Sistina, and that form alone gives him enormous appeal. While he resumes here off a 14-week break, he has a solid fresh record and his Rosehill credentials are already well established, having won both starts at the track at Group 1 level. His recent overseas form has remained strong enough too, with placings in quality races at Kempton, Longchamp and Baden-Baden, and he rarely turns in a poor run when placed correctly. From the draw he may need a bit of luck finding the right spot in a race that does not look overloaded with tempo, but if Tom Marquand can get him into clear air at the right time, his class and toughness make him a major player again.

Fresh off a first-up win in the Sky High Stakes, VAUBAN looks a real threat with the Waterhouse & Bott runner now rising to 2400m second-up. He sat outside the speed in that first up showing and proved too strong late, beating SOUL OF SPAIN by just under a length in a performance that suggested he has returned in excellent order and still retains plenty of his staying quality at his age. That latest clash with Soul Of Spain reads well enough for this, especially given he did the work on speed and kept going, and the step to a mile and a half should suit far better. He has always looked a horse who builds through his campaign and his Melbourne Cup sixth in the spring was full of merit, with him spotting weight to the five in front.

Wentworth Park Saturday – G1 Golden Easter Egg Heats 520m (R2-R10 from 7:43 pm)

Series favourite CUMBRIA JACK is expected to make light work of his opposition in Heat 7 (R8 9:56 pm) starting as $1.45 favourite having won 4 of his last 5 including the Richmond Derby. BLACK MYTH WAVE looks the most likely challenger but is drawn poorly and Tasmanian APPENZELL has form but is having his first look at Wentworth Park.

CONSIGLIERE won the New Sensation Final and was placed in G1 Australian Cup Final and lines up as favourite to win Heat 6 (R7 9:34 pm) but this looks like a tougher assignment with G1 placed ACCREDITED on his inside in Box 1 and VISTA WEIRD who was runner-up to MISS ENVY in G1 Rookie Rebel in Box 3.

HE’S A PEARL and OFF THE CHART look set to battle out Heat 2 (R3 8:03 pm) with both in good form, but He’s A Pearl holds slight favourtism given the better box draw and vacant box on his inside.

ERIZA SPARKLES is another on the second line of the series futures book but the Dapto Megastar champion faces a tough race against SECRET BANDIT and GOLD FORCE in Heat 4 (R5 8:52 pm).

Australia Cup runner-up SLICK SPLITS should win Heat 8 (R9 10:19 pm).

HARNESS HIGHLIGHTS

Bathurst Saturday – Gold Crown Final 1730m (R7 9:28 pm)

TAKE THE MIKI is undefeated in his two starts and should be helped in the emergency fails to get a start and he beat JACWILL KID at Melton in their only meeting. Jacwill Kid clocked a faster time as a surprise winner in the heats and has the pole.

GOCCIADORO start at very short odds in both his starts and had to do too much work early when going down to ATOMIK CRUNCH in the Heats. They both have to overcome second row draws here which is reflected in their odds.

Bathurst Saturday – Gold Coronet Final 1730m (R8 9:59 pm)

CEE CEE IN PARIS dominated Heat 2 winning by 28m but must start from the second row here. However she is in good form and looks the one to beat.

The main threats are also off the back row with IM HAVINTOTROT victorious in the Heats over GLADIATRIX looking the main danger. Whilst there appears to be excuses for NOTANOTHA NAUGHTY who finished well back from Cee Cee In Paris when starting as the very short priced favourite.

They might all be chasing DEEP LOVE who has been strong across his past three outings and has the advantage of the front row.

WE CAN’T WATCH

Rosehill Saturday – G2 Neville Sellwood Stakes 2000m (R2 1:05 pm) – No.2 BARNAVARA $1.65

The first group race of the day at Rosehill sees BARNAVARA open a very short favourite with the Irish import making her first start for the Waller camp. When we last saw her she was taking out her Group 1 win at Longchamp over this same distance and looks to have everything in the kit bag to succeed on Australian shores. The reviews from James McDonald have been glowing and she’ll make her own luck as she likely leads them out.

Albion Park Saturday – Open Pace 2138m (R4 8:17 pm) – No.1 LEAP TO FAME $1.04

Not much more can be said about the Miracle Mile Champion and “Larry” should be far too strong for this lot.

CODE BREAKERS

Thoroughbred Best Bet:

Doomben Saturday – 2200m (R6 4.08pm) – No.9 LOVEY DOVEY $2.80

LOVEY DOVEY has been racing well in her most recent starts winning back to back starts at Ipswich in January followed by a narrow second at Eagle Farm when unable to reel in the leader on a Heavy 8. She finished second again on a Soft 7 as favourite last at the Gold Coast when missing by a head and on a firmer track I think she can keep this run going. She’ll get back in the field once again but looks well suited to run on here.

Greyhound Best Bet:

Wentworth Park Saturday – Golden Easter Egg Heat 9 520m (R10 10:42 pm) – No.6 TAORMINA $2.30

TAORMINA is somewhat of a Wentworth Park track specialist and will benefit by having a vacant box inside her. She had a smart win over SUMMER QUINN two starts back and I expect she can repeat that performance here.

Harness Best Bet:

Bathurst Saturday – G2 Gold Chalice Final 1730m (R5 8:06 pm) – No.6 HOLLYWOOD STRIP $1.55

HOLLYWOOD STRIP has won 9 from 9 including G1 NSW Derby and was a dominant winner of his heat. He is starting at a short price but I feel he will be hard to beat and should stay undefeated.

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