It’s a bumper weekend of racing and it starts on Friday for owners of the New South Wales Tycoons with The Sherpa making his return at Scone. Friday night the speedsters will shine under lights at Moonee Valley with the running of the Group 1 Moir Stakes. The Group 1 action continues on Saturday at Sandown with the running of The Underwood Stakes. While at Rosehill Gardens it’s the Group 1 Golden Rose with Anamoe all the rage. Let’s try and find some winners from our TRL trainers.
THE SHERPA STARTS THE CLIMB
The Sherpa made history by being the first of The Racing League runners from any of the three teams to hit the track. He was second on debut before trainer Brett Cavanough took him to Brisbane where things didn’t quite go to plan. “Cav” reports The Sherpa has done well, but goes into this assignment without an official barrier trial. The 900 metres may be a bit short but from barrier two, he should get a nice trail and finish off well.
BET: The Sherpa – Each Way (Scone Race 2)
THE MOIR STAKES
With the AFL Grand Final taking centre stage on Saturday, it is now a tradition the Group 1 Moir Stakes is raced under lights at Moonee Valley on Friday night, even if the GF is being played in Perth. Two TRL trainers have runners in the Moir, Mick Price with the favourite Profiteer and Joe Pride with Ballistic Lover. “He’s a very face horse (Profiteer), he’s a very good horse” said Price who has no doubt Profiteer will lead and be hard to run down. Joe Pride stressed “Ballistic Lover is a last start winner but I do concede this is a tougher assignment” said Pride.
BET: Profiteer – Win (Moonee Valley Race 7)
PETER MOODY EARLY MARK
Vic Husslers trainer Peter Moody is looking to make a flying start on Friday night at the Valley and also Saturday at Sandown. Moods has Smytzer (Race 1) ready to run a bold race at double digit odds in those famous Makybe Diva colours. Smytzer only got going late last start when finishing on the heels of the placegetters. On Saturday, Diamonds In the Sky is down in grade, has a great barrier and the inform Brett Prebble to steer.
Bet: Smytzer – Each Way (MV Race 1)
Bet: Diamonds in The Sky – Each Way (Sandown Race 1)
CIARON MAHER STABLE ON FIRE
Sure they have a massive stable, but the Ciaron Maher/Dave Eustace combo have already trained 32 winners with a strike rate of 26%, that’s terrific going. Biscayne Bay (Race 4) had no luck last start after being trapped wide but her final sectionals certainly caught the eye the bigger track should suit. Dr Drill (Race 6) never runs a bad race and stuck on well last start after being caught wide, happy to back his courage here. Thought of That (race 9) is up sharply in grade, but has the ability to repeat his last start win.
BET: Biscayne Bay – Each Way (Sandown Race 4)
BET: Dr Drill- Each Way (Sandown Race 6)
BET: Thought of That – Each Way (Sandown Race 9)
GAI & ADRIAN TO CAUSE AN UPSET?
You would expect nothing else from champion trainer Gai Waterhouse when quizzed if In The Congo could upset Anamoe in the Golden Rose “Of course he can, no horse is unbeatable” said Waterhouse. In The Congo (Race 8) provided stiff opposition to Anamoe when they last met and will make his own luck again on Saturday. Maybe Gai and Adrian’s best chance comes with Entente (Race 4). He’s on a seven day back-up and has never been beaten third-up. Vangelic (Race 6) will give you a massive sight in the Golden Pendent, she has raced at the highest level and if left alone in front will be extremely hard to run down.
BET: Entente – Each Way (Syd Race 4)
BET: Vangelic – Each Way (Race 6)
BET: In The Congo – Place (Race 8)
TONY GOLLAN GOES BACK HOME TO TOOWOOMBA
Qld Rogues trainer Tony Gollan was born and bred in Toowoomba and he returns home this Saturday with the running of the time honoured Weetwood Handicap the feature meeting. “My best each way chance is Tambo’s Mate in the Weetwood, I think the track will suit him and he’s over the odds” said Gollan. “My best bet is Lyrical Girl, she’s worked fantastically well during the week and I like her a lot from the low draw” added Gollan.
BET: Lyrical Girl – Win (Toowoomba Race 3)
BET: Tambo’s Mate – Each Way (Toowoomba Race 8)
