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Plays of the Week
From tight corners to trick shots, these are the most exciting, silly and downright crazy plays in the sport world this week.
PT2M13S 620 349Race 1: Highway Handicap, 1200m
The Highway Handicap returns and this is a tricky way to start the day for punters. Circle Game finished her maiden racing campaign with a sixth place finish behind Alaskan Rose at Caulfield and Matthew Dale has an outstanding strike rate when he brings horses to the city. She is the horse to beat, but she will need luck from the inside gate. Touch Sensitive is coming off a win at Newcastle and she looms as the main danger, while her stablemate Murranji also has the talent to win this race, even if he doesn't win out of turn.
Class edge: one-time Cox Plate favourite Kermadec represents tremendous value in the All Aged Stakes. Photo: Vince Caligiuri
Race 2: E-Group Security Sprint, 1200m
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Santa Ana Lane was excellent last week in the South Pacific Classic and the ratings out of that one suggest it will be a very strong form race. He is the class horse in this field, Hugh Bowman sticks and he looks like one of the best bets of the day in Sydney. The X-factor in this race is Ammirata , which was sent to the spelling paddock after her win in the Belle Of The Turf Stakes in January. The Joe Pride stable is badly out of form, but she is a mare with a great deal of upside and should be in the finish.
Runs on the board: James McDonald and Old North after the dominant Tulloch win. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au
Race 3: Frank Packer Plate, 2000m
The Tulloch Stakes is always a key lead-up to this race and the 2016 edition will be no exception. Old North put a gap in them in that race and it is tough to see any of his rivals there turning the tables. He's Our Rokkii also brings winning form into this race following his breakthrough win in the Carbine Club Stakes, but this is his first opportunity at 2000 metres and he looks a good risk. Asinara is the other horse in the market and she did hit the line strongly in the Vinery Stud Stakes, but the $4.40 currently on offer looks a touch on the short side.
Race 4: J H B Carr Stakes, 1400m
This is a very open race and one in which I am keen to take on the favourite. Pearls produced a much improved effort to finish second in the PJ Bell Stakes, but that is not the strongest form line and she is far from the most consistent filly. A filly that stands out at a good price is Tap This . She beat a good field to win at Wyong last start and she is one of the few horses in this race that have any real upside. There is really not a lot between the other leading chances in the market and Lady Sniper , Denmagic , Tremezzina and Heartlings could all a factor in the finish.
Champagne racing: Jockey Zac Purton rides Yankee Rose to win the Sires' Produce Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au
Race 5: Champagne Stakes, 1600m
This is one of the weakest group 1 races that you will ever see. Yankee Rose is a very talented filly and she is far superior to any other horse in this field, but it is tough to dive in at $1.40 for a horse that has hoof problems. Prized Icon finally won a race last weekend and he has to be respected on the quick back-up. El Sicario brings New Zealand form into this race and his second place finish in the Manawatu Sires' Produce would be enough to finish in the placings in this race. There has been money for Obscura , but he hasn't done anything to suggest to me that he is capable of finishing close to a fit Yankee Rose.
Race 6: Hall Mark Stakes, 1200m
This is probably the most interesting betting race of the day. Speak Fondly had excuses first-up in the Challenge Stakes and her recent barrier trial at Randwick was blistering. She goes well fresh. Charlie Boy was outstanding first-up and Team Snowden have kept him fresh for this. He needs to be respected. Music Magnate will return to the races here after finishing his spring preparation with back-to-back wins. He has never won first-up, but his two recent barrier trials indicate he is ready to fire. Fast 'n' Rocking , Target In Sight , Bachman , Knoydart , Artlee and Federal are all more than capable horses on their day and can all be a factor with luck in running.
Race 7: All Aged Stakes, 1400m
Press Statement is a clear favourite, but he is unders at his current quote and it would not surprise to see him drift. His run in the George Ryder Stakes was good, but I still question whether he is good enough to win at weight-for-age. Kermadec is the class horse in this field. He had issues in the Doncaster and if he is fully fit here the $7 on offer is huge overs. Malaguerra is the X-factor in the race and he could be anything. Whether he is up for a race of this quality at this stage of his career is the question. English has been excellent in all three race starts this preparation and she will be flying home in the best part of the track. She will be tough to hold out if she runs a strong 1400 metres for Gai Waterhouse.
Race 8: JRA Plate, 2000m
Havana Cooler was outstanding first-up in the Doncaster Prelude and the step straight up to 2000 metres will suit him. He is a deserving favourite. Guardini has loomed to win his past two starts before knocking up late, but he should now be at peak fitness. The wide draw could be an advantage by this stage of the afternoon. Sadler's Lake has done nothing this preparation, but he has been given a trial between runs and it would not surprise to see him bounce back to his best this weekend.
Due a win: Sadler's Lake has been quiet this time in. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au
Race 9: Royal Randwick 100, 1400m
A tough way to finish for punters. Strawberry Boy is getting up there in years, but he has only had 30 starts. He flies fresh, but it could be tough to lead and win at this stage of the afternoon. Nancy has been well-backed, but there is a question mark over the form coming out of the Newcastle Newmarket. Tales Of Grimm will return for Chris Waller and he could run a big race fresh at big odds. Mighty Lucky , Dances On Stars , Medcaut , Snippets Land , Religify and Lunar Rise all need to be respected for exotics.
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