MIRACLE MILE
What a race! The best I’ve seen for many, many years. It’s got it all. In the end, I’ve got with the one absolutely proven horse both at this level and around Menangle – BEAUTIDE. As much as he’s better over further than a mile, he’s been specifically trained for this and looked sharper than ever with a personal best 53.5sec last half winning last time. Drawn best of the big guns. HAVE FAITH IN ME is a stunning talent. He will need to a champion to win from the wide-ish draw in such a strong field, but just might be. LENNYTHESHARK finds himself still having to prove more despite fantastic wins in the Perth Inter Dominion and Victoria Cup. He’s gone to another level, but this will show what that level is. Don’t underestimate him. MY HARD COPY is the potential party pooper at big odds. Lethal sprint when driven quiet and the pace is hot throughout (which it will be here). ARMS OF AN ANGEL could be anything, but I’m willing to risk her if she’s going to try for an all-the-way win in such a hot race so early in her career. MONIFIETH follows any speed, draws well and could be placed at massive odds.
BEST BET: Beautide
VALUE BET: Monifieth the place
LADYSHIP MILE
The draw has changed this race with FRITH and START DREAMING drawing the two outside barriers. Remember even Adore Me couldn’t win this race from out there at her first attempt. Going with FIGHT FOR GLORY, who should get the right run. BERISARI was massive last week and is getting better with every run. FRITH is a genuine champ and cannot be discounted. START DREAMING is flying, but I can’t be on from the outside draw. NIKE FRANCO would nearly have beaten FRITH last time bar for skipping late. Keep her safe. BETABCOOL is underrated and will give cheek. JULIETTE BROMAC is Australia’s most-improved mare with a place hope.
BEST BET: Fight For Glory EW
VALUE BET: Something small BETABCOOL the win and JULIETTE BROMAC the place
NSW DERBY
DID we see a slight crack in OUR WAIKIKI BEACH’S invincibility last week when she just scrambled home in slow time in his heat? That’s what some rivals think, so it’s going to be game on. I tend to think he just did what was needed and go back to his best form to say he’s just better than his rivals. Think he’ll stamp his authority again. CANT REFUSE is flying. Would have seriously tested WAIKIKI if he’d got clear of a pocket earlier last week. KINGOFTHESTARS was superb last and draws well. ZEE DANA won too well and went too quick last week to dismiss even from the wide draw.
BEST BET: Our Waikiki Beach (in multis)
VALUE: Anchor Cant Refuse in quinellas and trifectas with Waikiki
NSW OAKS
AT first I thought OUR DREAM ABOUT ME could be vulnerable from inside the back row, but then I watched last week’s replay (again). Fillies don’t (and can’t) go any better than that. Her closing splits were nuts. She will just win again. ROCKNROLL MAGIC is class, went super last week and is second pick from DODOLICIOUS, who won the weaker heat very easily.
BEST BET: Our Dream About Me (in multis)
VALUE BET: Hmm. Think Rocknroll Magic will run second for your quinellas and trifectas.
BOHEMIA CRYSTAL FFA
Actually think SMOLDA can be beaten here. Sure he’s got plenty on them for class, but he’s had a big campaign and inside back row no help. He’s top pick, but I’d want much better than $1.30/1.40. OUR HI JINX is the value. Two runs since coming back to Team McCarthy have been excellent. Set for this and has the gate speed to use good draw. Surely OUR SKY MAJOR can and will improve from gate three? Can he find the front? MAJOR CROCKER has some class, but needs luck from the outside. MACH BEAUTY is getting better coming off a sit and got close to SMOLDA last week. EASY ON THE EYE can improve if he takes a sit.
BEST BET: Our Hi Jinx EW
VALUE: Our Hi Jinx EW
SUMMARY
BEST BET: R4 n5 Fight For Glory EW
VALUE: R8 n13 Claudys Princess
ROUGHIE: R5 N8 Our Hi Jinx
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