The horses and this old has-been are having birthdays this week so I'm hoping the punting gods will be kind and we have reason to celebrate come Saturday night.
DIFFICULT TO GET (Rosehill Race 2 No 9)
I thought there was plenty to like about this three-year-old on Saturday. In her past two she's finished third behind Memes and In Times Of War and a close up fourth behind Kings Of Leon and Spending To Win. Tackles the older horses on Saturday but she'll be four herself in a couple of days and on Saturday drops sharply in weight after carrying 57kg and above in recent starts. There looks good speed in this race and I expect she will be able to cross and tag the leaders. Not many of her opponents have any upside so I'm happy to play her at decent odds.
BET: EACH-WAY
ODDS $7.50 @ CrownBet, Bet365
DANUKI (Caulfield Race 4 No 2)
I was reviewing Lankan Rupee's jumpouts and couldn't help but be impressed by the performances of this speedster. Danuki won the two heats I watched in easy fashion with the former Group I superstar chasing him and ridden along on both occasions. A bit more digging revealed Danuki has been given three jumpouts to ready him for his first-up tilt, compared with one last prep and he looked to go much better to the eye leading up to Saturday. Last prep he had form around Crystal Dreamer, he's got a solid first-up record and the 1100m trip has returned three of his four wins. He will take some catching on Saturday.
BET: WIN
ODDS $6 @ Sportsbet
BOLINGER ROSE (Gosford Race 6 No 6)
This speedy filly caught my eye when watching Le Romain trial recently at Newcastle. Bollinger Rose sped out of the gates to lead easily and was placed under no pressure in the straight when cruising into second place, 1-3/4 lengths behind Le Romain which was asked to stretch out in the straight. Finishing behind Bollinger Rose were stakes class mare Zestful and Saturday's Rosehill runner Parker's Piece – she trialled no worse than them. Trainer Kris Lees kicks her off in a 1000m maiden on Saturday which looks perfect and provided she's black odds, which I think she will be, I'll be on.
BET: WIN
SNIPPETS LAND (Rosehill Race 7 No 2)
You could make a case for most of the runners in the Winter Challenge as quite a few didn't have the best of luck in the Winter Stakes and there was just over two lengths from first to 11th. No leader this time which will play into the hands of Classic Uniform but I think the market has overreacted with him so I went looking elsewhere and came up with this Snowden galloper that went to the line in the Winter Stakes untested. He's a horse that can take up a forward position if needed and from the draw he should be able to bounce close to the speed and get a good run, probably behind the first couple of pairs. Confident he'll be in the finish and the double-figure odds are attractive.
BET: EACH-WAY
ODDS $13 @ CrownBet, Unibet
WILD 'N' FAMOUS (Rosehill Race 8 No 6)
Another race devoid of speed on paper and Wild 'N' Famous should be able to secure a run to give him every chance. His form this preparation was excellent prior to his flop on a heavy Randwick track last time. The Snowdens' have given him a five week freshen-up and a trial since and on Saturday he'll be back on the top of the ground. Two runs back he gave Pick Me Up 3.5kg and beat him home and on Saturday there's only a kilo between them and Pick Me Up is a $3.60 chance.
BET: EACH-WAY
ODDS $7.50 @ CrownBet
