The Weight for Age championship of Australia will be slugged out at Moonee Valley this Saturday with Zaaki the hot favourite to take the title. Sydney will steal their share of headlines with the inaugural running of the $2million Invitation for fillies and mares at Royal Randwick – phenomenal money. At long last NSW Tycoons owners will be allowed back on track today (Friday) to cheer on their horse The Sherpa in the last at Scone. While Bellinger steps out on Monday for the Vic Husslers looking to build on the success of Team Captain who’s heading towards the Melbourne Cup carnival.
CAV SAY’S THE SHERPA CAN CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN
The Sherpa made history in The Racing League by being the first ever winner to salute the judge. To be honest his last start was below expectations but trainer Brett Cavanough put that down to the rain affected track. The Sherpa is currently a $16 chance at Sportsbet for the last race at Scone, with Cav telling NSW Tycoons owners “he’s got a good barrier, his work was very good so we should get a result” Cavanough said.
BET: The Sherpa – Each Way (Scone Race 8)
FREEDMAN’S STILL PRAYING FOR RAIN
Richard and Michael Freedman have been on their knees praying for some rain with their three runners at Royal Randwick all better with the “sting out of the ground” according to Richard. Queen Of The Ball (Race 1) “Is a very nice filly with plenty of ability, I would consider a great place chance”. Prime Star (Race 5) “Is another who’s best form is on rain affected tracks but he can run a hole”. Forbidden Love (Race 9) “She’s a real stable favourite and is not to be discounted, watch for her late in the $2million Invitation” . When asked for his thoughts on the Cox Plate, Richard said to keep an eye on Captivant at the juicy odds of $18.
BET: Queen Of The Ball – Place (Syd Race 1)
BET: Forbidden Love – Place (Syd Race 9)
BET: Captivant – Each Way (Cox Plate)
MARK NEWNHAM CAN WIN THE TATT’S CUP
NSW Tycoon’s trainer Mark Newnham has prepared Skymax (Race 7) to peak in the City Tattersall’s Club Gold Cup at Randwick. Skymax, may have been a little lacklustre last start finishing behind the placegetters, but he’s fit now third-up and can improve. Mark has Marway and Lord Olympus in the final event, both at double digit odds. Lord Olympus was heavily backed when winning last start and can win again.
BET: Skymax – Each Way (Sydney Race 7)
BET: Lord Olympus – Each Way (Sydney Race 10)
HEATHCOTE IS IN FOR A MASSIVE DAY
Rob Heathcote trained the mighty sprinter Buffering, but Saturday could be a career highlight for the likeable spearhead of the Queensland Rogues. Rob is down from Brisbane playing top grade in Sydney with Emerald Kingdom (Race 5) and Startantes (Race 9 Beaten last start by a very good horse, Emerald Kingdom has been heavily supported already on Sportsbet and can win. Startantes may be coming to the end of her campaign but with $2million on offer in the Invitation it’s certainly worth a throw at the stumps.
Bet: Emerald Kingdom – Each Way (Sydney Race 5)
Bet: Rayjen – Each Way (Brisbane Race 6)
BET: Danezel – Each Way (Bris Race 8)
BUSUTTIN & YOUNG YARD TO STAR
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young continued to make their mark with a nice book at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Building a fine reputation as a trainer of two-year-olds the Busuttin yard has Equivocal (Race 1) ready to perform first-up after a pretty impressive trial win at Cranbourne. He’s Exceptional (Race 4) appears to be over the odds at $15 with Sportsbet. He won well first-up, blotted his copy book last start by racing ungenerously but certainly has the ability to atone. Forgot You (Race 7) looks to be a good thing. Yes, he does have to run out 2040 metres but he can reel off some blistering sectionals.
BET: Equivocal – Each Way (Melb Race 1)
BET: He’s Xceptional – Each Way (Melb Race 4)
BET: Forgot You – Win (Melb Race 7)
COX PLATE DAY TINGED WITH SADNESS FOR CIARON MAHER
There will no doubt be plenty of mixed emotions for Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Only last week they were forced to put down last year’s Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet after a trackwork incident. The stable has Gold Trip in this year’s big race, a European raider having his first start in the country but not to be dismissed. I think their best chance is Floating Artist (Race 8) he won three straight, including a brilliant win at Sandown was a touch disappointing last start but prepared to forgive.
BET: Floating Artist – Each Way (Melb Race 8)
BET: Gold Trip – Each Way (Melb Race 9)
