Nine star studded heats of the age restricted Group 1 Maturity Classic await us tonight at The Meadows.
The three week series (heats, semi final and final) is set to be huge and with the Christmas in July theme it’s sure to be a great few weeks for the club.
Now, let’s have a look at all 9 heats!
HEAT 1 – The first of 9 heats looks a difficult one to map out on paper with plenty of pace drawn in the middle of the track. I’m selecting the two VANDERWORP as my on top selection after a cracking trial at the track last Saturday night in preparation for the series. The West Australian can be a bit hit or miss early but I think with the experience of last week he will only improve and be to hard to beat.
HEAT 2 – Last week we were on SHALLAY PALLAY but our ticket was turned into confetti after he missed the start badly. He has drawn well again here in box 2 and I expect a huge improvement. He could win this race but I’m going to be backing him for a place, just lost a bit of confidence after last weeks run.
I think the dog to beat in the race is TRIXTA ROX (5) who has a flying PB here at the track. With the dog in box 4 being a mad railer, I think she will get clear room early to balance up and let rip. She’s extremely strong so if she can settle in top 3 or 4 watch for her late.
WIN BET: TRIXTA ROX
PLACE BET: SHALLAY PALLAY
HEAT 3 – What a race this is set out to be!! SURE TO EXCITE (1) has drawn inside box 3 for the first time in his 11 career starts. He has won 8 of those 11 starts and looks to be a superstar of the future.
Talking about future superstars ALLEN ABLETT (4) is sure to be one. He is unbeaten in his 3 starts and with a super win at the track last start he will be tough to beat again.
South Australian star BRICK LANE (8) has been airborne at Angle Park of late and with the experience of a trial at the track he is sure to improve from the 30.18 he ran that day.
Tough race and could select all 3 to win but going to select SURE TO EXCITE to use the box draw to advantage and get the win. The series winner could come from this heat!
EARLY MORNING SCRATCHINGS!! Boxes 6 & 7 are now out which means BRICK LANE will have to empty boxes on its inside! To play safe we will also have a win bet unit on BRICK LANE.
WIN BET: BRICK LANE (cover your loss if Sure To Excite doesn’t win)
HEAT 4 – Another incredible heat here with ASTON DEE BEE (2) MEPUNGA BLAZER (5) and ASTON DINNIGAN (8) looking to be major players in the series. All 3 of them can run track record times one out by themselves but sometimes the box manners of ASTON DEE BEE & MEPUNGA BLAZER can let them down.
ASTON DEE BEE from box 2 looks extremely hard to beat if he can jump close enough to them. His run in the Bendigo Cup final was sensational and the longer trip will suit him better. If he is within 4-6 lengths of leaders I think he can reel them in.
MEPUNGA BLAZER (5) hasn’t been seen at the track for over 8 weeks and I’m sure the Britton kennel have been setting him for this series. The box draw is my only concern with him as like I said he can be tardy away early.
ASTON DINNIGAN has had 1 start for 1 win at the track where she ran 29.96 but more importantly ran a blistering 5.04 to the first split from box 7. If she can repeat the same early sectionals from the side draw she will be off and gone. She will improve again from the run and is possible of running 29.7’s.
HEAT 5 – This is all about JIMMY NEWOB. The Red Cliffs trained chaser will make the 5 hour trip down to the Broadmeadows circuit to repeat last weeks efforts. He jumps from box 8, the same as he did last week in a FFA race running best of the night 29.96. I expect him to fly down the outside and be far to good. He’s a real class act.
DIRK BALE (2) has a great record and PB at the track and QLD star OPAL NERA (5) has plenty of early burn both have potential to win this race especially if Jimmy misses the kick. But if Jimmy jumps with them I just find him to good.
HEAT 6 – This heat is probably the most even heat on the card. I’ve found it very difficult to map out where each runner will be at the first turn. I think the one MEPUNGA TYCOON will lead but it’s not overly strong. ROCKOON (5) has been super his last two starts and has a great record at the track. The box draw is my concern. PRINT THE MONEY (7) has been flying at Warrnambool in his last two starts and does have a flying PB here but his two runs at Warrnambool he hasn’t been flash away, just worried he might get posted very wide at the turn. ASTON FRANKLE (8) was super impressive at Ballarat last start from the same draw but this field is more difficult. Has plenty of ability just worried he will be posted wide.
I’m going with a place bet on CHASIN’ CRACKERS (6) who was a placegetter in the Group 1 Peter Mossman final at Wentworth Park three runs back. Since that run he has won his past two in super fashion. He is a reliable beginner and likes to get wide so in a very even race I think he can run a bolter at nice place odds.
HEAT 7 – Last start Group 1 Winter Cup winner FAST TIMES lines up in heat 7 on the card and this looks a very winnable race for the QLDer first up at the track. Trainer Tony Brett would of loved a trial at the track prior to this heat for his star chaser but from box 7 I think he will get time to balance up and let rip. He will improve a lot from the experience but he still looks very hard to beat here.
HEAT 8 – Another very open race here which has been difficult to map out. I think the 5 ORONSAY will lead and does have a good record at the track but I’m selecting South Australian chaser CAIRNLEA KENNY to sit outside the 5 and be to strong. He was super last start at Angle Park running a flying 29.71 which was from box 8 and having previously having a start at the track he will be ready to fly tonight.
HEAT 9 – The final chance to make it through to next weeks semi finals is a very open affair. CAIRO CALLING (4) was low flying two starts back at Sandown Park leading all the way. He is from a super littler and if he jumps to the front he will be hard to reel in.
NSW boom pup LAGOON RHETT has scored some breathtaking wins at Bulli and Maitland. If he comes out running he will be settling a very quick tempo and running flying sectionals. Box draw & unknown track experience is only concern.
SET TO STORM (8) was disappointing last start after finding plenty of bother soon after box rise in her only start at the track. She has a super record from outside draws and with the benefit of a look at the track last start I think she is worth an each way ticket. Hopefully she can get the jump right, fly down the outside and finish our night with a bang!
ALL IN MARKET BETS – EACH WAY:
ASTON DEE BEE ($10)
SURE TO EXCITE ($13)
ASTON DINNIGAN ($26)
CHASIN CRACKERS ($67)
Good luck and happy punting!
Be sure to check out our Racing Tips for Caulfield and Morphettville tomorrow as well!