Last Week: Herman Hesse was awful and has likely been consigned to the ‘never again’ pile. Kin battled for a 3rd place finish against the previously untried winner but luckily Dragonstone and Lighthouse (again) got the job done for us.
Best Bet: Fiordland – Rosehill R2 #7 – $3.75
Off the back of a half a length win on a Heavy 8 at Gosford last time out, Fiordland moves up in class but doesn’t come up against much after the withdrawal of Sword Point and Sweet Ruby. Settling on the pace, I expect James McDonald to have a pretty easy time of it with the Irish import and the 1500 should be no match for the gelding.
Next Best: Lavish Girl – Caulfield R3 #1 – $4.40
Currently 2nd fav in this race over 1400, Lavish Girl comes off the back of a win at the same class and distance the week before Christmas at Flemington. That day she settled nicely and although briefly threatened by Luna Cat found enough to kick away for a nice win. Up against Luna Cat again the other major threat comes from Rioyuki who ran 3rd in lower class at the Valley over 1200m although flew home late and will benefit from carrying less weight. Russians was another last start winner, from the same night at MV and this looks to be a decent race early in the card.
Next Next Best: Palladas – Gold Coast R6 #5 – $2.95
Palladas hasn’t won for a year, last getting the chocolates in December 2020 at Eagle Farm. Since then the Tony Gollan trained gelding has finished 4th three times and another three places. I’m baking Ryan Maloney to get the job done here largely because of the step back in class. Perhaps it is something of a nonny, but if you can get lose to $3 I an’t see anything anywhere near it as a bet. Head Legislator has won more recently but I expect a big drift in the market and the ‘unders’ mean I couldn’t back it against Palladas.
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