The Adelaide carnival is in full flight and this week they play host to the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap! Read on for our preview and selection in the big race.
Capacity field greets us here with Black Heart Bart the early favorite around the $3.60 mark. An incredible record he’s built over the years, he’s only missed the placings nine times in 39 career starts!
With a 20 horse field and good speed drawn out wide we will assume that the race will be run at a genuine tempo.
For that reason, we want horses that will go through the line and run out a strong 1200m.
Australian Guineas winner Hey Doc fits that bill, kept fresh for this and down in distance he represents a different form line and there is no doubting his class.
Malaguerra is suited in this ‘B’ grade Group 1 and maps to get a lovely run in behind the speed and off the fence with some cover.
Secret Agenda is coming off a peak run, can’t find her at the price while Vega Magic is under the odds at $6 despite a promising jump-out at Flemington last Friday.
Faatinah and Illustrious Lad just don’t seem to be going as well as they were six months ago and are at their price while Lucky Liberty might be a nice roughie if he can get a start in the field.
Bassett has drawn awkwardly but if he can get into the three-wide line with cover he looks capable after getting no luck in the straight last start.
Goodwood Handicap Verdict
Black Heart Bart is a very honest galloper but the gap between he and Malaguerra in the market looks far too big to us and the inside draw might not be ideal come Saturday afternoon around Morphettville.
Happy to take the $9 on offer for Big Mal at CrownBet while also having something small on Hey Doc to place at $8.50 Sportsbet and Bassett at $11 to place also.