Top 5 Early Insights
Published: 28 Apr 2016
Powerhouse mare - Cradle Me will relish a return to a firmer surface on Saturday
There's black-type racing in Brisbane, Adelaide and of course Hawkesbury this weekend. The north-west of Sydney gets its annual stand-alone meeting, two years in the making after it was washed out last year.
The track has been playing quite FAIR in recent meetings, most gallopers getting their chance down the long 400 metre straight. Watch out for possible ON-PACE bias in Brisbane and Adelaide though.
Ahead of The Race Guides going on-line Friday at 9am, the Top 5 Early Insights are shown below.
All odds provided by our partner CrownBet
No. 1 Taking Candy from a Baby
Sometimes you don't have to get too complicated reading the Guide, like in the Godolphin Crown (Hawkesbury Race 6), where CRADLE ME is simply the best weighted mare in the race.
Why is she at $9 and favourite FITOU, who should be getting more than 10kg less than her, at $5?
We have no idea!
Bet on CRADLE ME now at $9
No. 2 "3W NC"
Those that read the video comments in The Race Guide's form will know what these letters mean. They're short for "three wide no cover", the dreaded position that no horse wants to be in.
Add a strong tempo to the mix and the last start Group One efforts of ECUADOR and MACKINTOSH can be completely forgiven.
Look for a better run on Saturday from both.
Bet on ECUADOR at $8.5 and MACKINTOSH at $7
No. 3 Watch the Weather
The Hawkes runner RAGEESE is the one to beat in the H C Nitschke Stakes at Morphettville (Race 6), but he may need some help from the weather.
A leaner type that often lacks the power needed on a firm track, he is sure to do better if the track has the 'edge off it'. There are showers in the area today and more forecast.
Get ready to bet if it hits the soft range.
Bet on RAGEESE at $1.8
No. 4 An Easy Dart
Taking short prices isn't always the most popular thing to do, but sometimes they're still 'value'. Take the case of KNOYDART in the Victory Stakes at Doomben (Race 6), who brings superior Sydney form-lines and only has FELL SWOOP as a higher rated runner.
It's hard to see him finishing out of the top three.
Bet on KNOYDART to place at $1.75
No. 5 Back to Basics
BASSETT came to Sydney last start and ran a forgetable race behind Japonisme in a high class sprint. It was always a big risk stepping away from his beloved Caulfield, so Mick Price has raced him back to the tight-turning track.
Watch out for a bold run on Saturday.
Bet on BASSETT now at $6