Rosehill
Race 1. 2. Ryker. This colt was no match for a couple of classy ones last week, and Gai’s horses historically have not run that well when she has been away as she is at the minute. But he has one thing in his favour. He has the blood of the author in his system. Yes this colt for some reason took a little chunk out of me at Tulloch Lodge last year! Apart from that he is fitter for recent racing and as long as the track is not heavy he is a good each way chance at $6.
Race 2. 4. Knoydart. A talented and consistent colt that is yet to run a bad race in eight starts. He was narrowly beaten at his last start and at $5 it is hard to see him missing a place in this race. He is tough and can do it at both ends. A real Saturday horse in that week in week out he will run pretty much to the same level.
Race 3. 7. Darciwood. This gelding ran a close third at his last start (Knoydart ran second) and before that he smashed a field of average gallopers at Geelong by 5 lengths. He clearly has class and ability and on the minimum he will certainly be hard to beat.
Race 5. 1. Kontiki Park. Another Waterhouse runner. Kontiki Park in six first up runs has recorded three wins and two seconds. He is almost bomb proof first up. Last time he was first up he won and beat Said Com in the process. Speaking of Said Com who is the favourite in this race; he runs on at 1300m and 1400m like he is looking for longer. But when he gets in longer races, he does not run on! Based on the fact that Said Com despite being talented is a non-winner, Kontiki Park might be the way to go here.
Race 6. 9. Sessions. A little bit of a boom horse that has talent personified. The colt has had four trials so he should be fit and ready to run. He has form around the likes of Catkins and Whitlam and he always runs well as reflected by his record.
Ipswich
Race 3. 6. Cape Kidnappers. Five starts for four wins and a second. Ipswich is notoriously leaderish and this potential star will be out in front. He is untapped and so very talented and most importantly is a winner. He has won on good, dead, slow and heavy and he just looks a clear class above his rivals in this race.
Moonee Valley
Race 1. 3. Prince Harada. Very impressive at his first start and his trainer Tony Vasil has uttered in the press that this colt may be better than his father, the multiple Group One winning Haradasun. Let’s hope he is because the ground is a little light for champs with all the recent retirements.
Morphetteville
Race 4. 4. Mr Lowndes. A pretty slow horse that has been running on really well lately. He does mix his form a little bit but he looks ideally suited at the 2500m.
By Zeb Armstrong
