Horsham hosts its cup meeting on Sunday with an eight-race card. The track is rated a Good 4 and could dry to a Good 3 with warm weather forecast. The rail is in the true position, and on this tight-turning track with a short straight, horses that race on or near the speed usually hold the advantage.
Cosmic Voyage in Race 3 is our best bet. In the Cup we are siding with the local horse Aftermath, while Bazzar is a good play first up in Race 5.
Race 1 - Bet365 Position Payout Maiden Plate (2100m)
Selection: Courting Current odds: $1.80
Courting has been building nicely through her early career and ran home well for third at Ballarat last time. The McEvoy stable places her well here and she looks the one to beat. Little Ally Bama is the main danger after a third at Geelong and should be finishing strongly. Vadar gets a handy barrier as he steps up in trip, and Empress Of China is a long-priced runner who can improve on a dry track.
Selections:
- Courting - $1.80
- Little Ally Bama - $2.60
- Vadar - $9.50
- Empress Of China - $26.00
Race 2 - Carlton Draught Maiden Plate (1400m)
Selection: Best Terms Current odds: $1.95
Best Terms resumes from a 21-week break after a second at Ballarat and has since won a trial. The winkers come off and he has the early speed to land in a good spot, which suits this track. Blue Valentine is the clear danger, having placed in all three runs this campaign, while Brutal Tempo finishes well and Shujinko is an each-way option.
Selections:
- Best Terms - $1.95
- Blue Valentine - $6.00
- Brutal Tempo - $5.50
- Shujinko - $13.00
Race 3 - Priceline Pharmacy Horsham Maiden Plate (1100m)
Selection: Cosmic Voyage Current odds: $1.90
This is our best bet of the day. Cosmic Voyage was a close second on debut at Donald when well backed, then went straight to the paddock. He comes back off strong trials, draws well and should roll forward into a winning position. Strength Within resumes after winning a trial and should improve on her only start. Moab looks the best of the first starters, and Starseatic gets the dry track she needs.
Selections:
- Cosmic Voyage - $1.90
- Strength Within - $4.00
- Moab - $7.00
- Starseatic - $19.00
Race 4 - Mackays Family Jewellers BM70 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Miss Mahjong Current odds: $4.60
Miss Mahjong ran a good second at Morphettville and drops back to country grade, where she should be hard to hold out if the dry track gives her an even surface to run on. Gina’s A Star is the favourite after a second at Ballarat and is consistent, while Milos Filos placed first up and gets her preferred 1200m. Min Kiata is a big roughie at $26. He comes off two SA wins and drops back from 1400m, so he is worth a small each-way bet.
Selections:
- Miss Mahjong - $4.60
- Gina’s A Star - $3.20
- Milos Filos - $3.40
- Min Kiata - $26.00
Race 5 - L & H Electrical BM62 Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Bazzar Current odds: $3.90
Bazzar was in good form last campaign but struck three heavy tracks that did not suit him. He resumes on top of the ground after a trial win, with a good jockey booked, and looks set to run well fresh. What A Ripper can bounce back from a forgivable last start, Tower Bridge drops in grade and gets ear muffs for the first time, and Marilyn’s Edge has speed but must work from a wide gate.
Selections:
- Bazzar - $3.90
- What A Ripper - $4.80
- Tower Bridge - $6.00
- Marilyn’s Edge - $6.50
Race 6 - Farm Frites BM70 Handicap, MCC Series Heat 5 (1400m)
Selection: Endless Summer Current odds: $7.00
Endless Summer was beaten only a length at Bendigo last time and has placed twice from three runs this campaign. At $7 he is our value play. Col Klink is the favourite and chasing a hat-trick after wins at Geelong and Bendigo, so he is the main danger. Final Countdown has won his last two at Murray Bridge, and Stargust is a last-start winner at Mount Gambier at a big price.
Selections:
- Endless Summer - $7.00
- Col Klink - $3.60
- Final Countdown - $10.00
- Stargust - $18.00
Race 7 - Manhari Horsham Cup (2100m)
Selection: Aftermath Current odds: $3.70
We are siding with the local horse. Aftermath has finished midfield in his last two runs, but those were slowly run races, and he has a strong record at this distance with four wins from eight starts. Barrier 1 gives him a soft run. The Pendragon may be the class runner and drops slightly in grade, but he carries a big weight, which is the risk. Miracle Spin won the Manangatang Cup last start and handles weight, and Budjik Boy placed at Hamilton but is untried at this trip. Back Aftermath to win, with a saver on The Pendragon.
Selections:
- Aftermath - $3.70
- The Pendragon - $3.60
- Miracle Spin - $5.50
- Budjik Boy - $8.50
Race 8 - Mixx FM BM62 Handicap (1800m)
Selection: Kilna Current odds: $9.50
This is a wide-open race to finish the day, so keep stakes small. Kilna resumes from a 72-week break for a new trainer but has trialled and was racing in better company before his spell. Surfy Pete just missed at Ballarat at long odds and has won this campaign. Weather Delay can improve sharply with Ryan Hurdle aboard, and Kingsford is not out of it.
Selections:
- Kilna - $9.50
- Surfy Pete - $4.40
- Weather Delay - $7.00
- Kingsford - $9.50
