ENGLISH (Randwick Race 8 No 9)
This Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott galloper wasn't my early Everest pick but I've changed my tune after watching this mare's scintillating finishing burst in the Group II Premiere Stakes. Sat a mile off them at the back and flew home, just failing to nail In Her Time who had a cushy run. Beat Chautauqua home by almost three lengths. Will be peaking here third up and has got out to juicy odds after drawing the widest barrier. But the gate may not be as bad as you think as a few speedsters here will break up the field, leaving English with every chance of slotting in with cover and running over the top of them.
BET: EACH WAY
ODDS $15 @ Ladbrokes (Powerplay)
PERAST (Caulfield Race 8 No 8)
Something of the forgotten horse (in the betting market anyway) considering he won the Guineas Prelude in tough fashion and will almost certainly be more suited by an extra 200m here. Importantly, draws a peach of a gate and will be in the first four in the run while others near the top of the market are likely to be giving him a big start. Is rock-hard fit and I still can’t believe he was within 6.5 lengths of the Golden Rose winner given the horror run he had that day where he had every right to drop out and run 15 lengths last. Has already proved he can do the job at Caulfield and the price is extremely attractive.
BET: EACH WAY
ODDS $10 @ Ladbrokes ($14 odds boost)
EGG TART (Caulfield Race 9 No 9)
I know, I know, things haven’t exactly gone right for this talented mare this campaign. First she got a long way back first-up in the Theo Marks and then an eye issue ruled her out of the Epsom. If she was right, I reckon she would have beaten Happy Clapper in the Epsom. And then in this race we would probably have been taking half the price she is. Gets up to a more suitable distance here and there is extreme talent there which was on show when she put six consecutive wins on the board. Just as importantly, gets in with a lovely weight (53.5kg) considering she is a dual Group I winner. Caulfield may not suit her down to the ground but I’m happy to have an each-way gamble at a very acceptable price.
BET: EACH WAY
ODDS $6.50 @ Neds,William Hill, Bet365 ($7 Sportsbet Power Play)
ILLUSTRIOUS LAD (Caulfield Race 10 No 5)
Reckon this Peter Gelagotis galloper is worth specking considering he has won three races first-up and also wasn’t far off the winner when resuming in the Group I Lightning Stakes back in February. I was also infused with confidence about this gelding when I spoke to the Gelagotis camp recently and they went out of their way to give him a big wrap. Trialled up well for this, gets a nice gate and is a tasty price.
BET: WIN
ODDS $9.50 @ Bet365 ($12 Sportsbet Power Play)
