Kembla Grange hosts an eight-race provincial card on Melbourne Cup Day on a Good 4 track, with the I98fm Kembla Grange Cup (BM64, 1200m) as the feature. It is a maiden-heavy program early, so expect some market moves on the lightly raced runners. Prices were captured on Monday afternoon.
Our best bet is Century Song in the last, a proven Kembla Grange performer coming back in an easier race. Dashing Triple (Race 3) and Heard Of Him (Race 4) are the other horses we rate strongly. Sky Deck is our pick in the Cup.
Race 1 - Jansz Maiden Plate (1000m)
Selection: Zourrific Current odds: $3.40
Zourrific resumes after 20 weeks with blinkers on for the first time. The debut run was a third at Kensington on a soft track as favourite, and dropping from city company to a provincial maiden looks the right move. Magic Blaze is the favourite, also resuming after finishing second on debut at Gosford. Chumpakidd has placed twice from three runs this preparation and has a big claim. Albatross is the debutant to follow in the betting.
Selections:
- Zourrific - $3.40
- Magic Blaze - $1.75
- Chumpakidd - $10.00
- Albatross - $11.00
Race 2 - Snap Printing Wollongong Maiden Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Brutal Advance Current odds: $6.00
Brutal Advance has placed in three of four runs this preparation and should bounce back from a flat run at Wyong. Backing up five days later is not ideal, but the price is fair for an each-way play. War Banner is a heavily backed favourite on debut from barrier 1, and the market suggests the stable expects a big run. Cathedral Cove resumes after 40 weeks for a new trainer off a trial win. Sacred Vow comes from a good stable.
Selections:
- Brutal Advance - $6.00
- War Banner - $1.55
- Cathedral Cove - $9.50
- Sacred Vow - $7.50
Race 3 - Win Network Midway 3YO Maiden Plate (1400m)
Selection: Dashing Triple Current odds: $2.40
Dashing Triple resumes after 13 weeks with winkers on for the first time. First-up last preparation was a one-length second at Newcastle, and the latest trial was another placing. This looks the right race, and Dashing Triple is one of our strongest plays on the card. Machrihanish was narrowly beaten when well backed at Canberra and gets blinkers on. Ballinvir has placed in several trials before this debut, and Mr Tucci is the roughie.
Selections:
- Dashing Triple - $2.40
- Machrihanish - $4.00
- Ballinvir - $4.40
- Mr Tucci - $15.00
Race 4 - Henry Clive Bar Class 1 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Heard Of Him Current odds: $3.40
Heard Of Him was third first-up at Newcastle on a soft track, racing on the pace before weakening late. Fitter for that run, back in provincial company and drawn well, this looks a winnable race. Tiger Turf won easily at Nowra to break the maiden but steps up in grade. Barbarossa was second at Canberra last start, and Star Half has a win at Newcastle this campaign.
Selections:
- Heard Of Him - $3.40
- Barbarossa - $3.90
- Tiger Turf - $5.50
- Star Half - $5.50
Race 5 - Jack Primmer Electronics Provincial BM64 Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Cap D’Ail Current odds: $4.60
Cap D’Ail has two wins from six runs this campaign and goes well at Kembla Grange. The fifth here last time is easy to forgive, and barrier 4 helps. Master Riley was narrowly beaten here last start and is the favourite. My Charm was third at Warwick Farm on a soft track and drops in class for a new trainer. Commanding Belle gets winkers on and steps up in trip.
Selections:
- Cap D’Ail - $4.60
- Master Riley - $3.50
- My Charm - $5.50
- Commanding Belle - $9.00
Race 6 - Park Fuelled To Win Fillies & Mares Maiden Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Thyme To Go Current odds: $5.50
Thyme To Go resumes after 19 weeks off a trial win and placed third at this track last preparation. Rory Hutchings is in good form for the stable. Home And Dry is the favourite on debut from a strong camp. Born To Fly disappointed on debut at Rosehill but should improve. Southern Grace was finishing well first-up at Hawkesbury and is the each-way roughie.
Selections:
- Thyme To Go - $5.50
- Home And Dry - $3.90
- Born To Fly - $4.80
- Southern Grace - $21.00
Race 7 - I98fm Feel Good Kembla Grange Cup BM64 Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Sky Deck Current odds: $4.00
Sky Deck has multiple wins at Kembla Grange and two wins from four runs this campaign. Course form counts for plenty in a race like this. Peleus won well here last start and is the main danger. Home Missile resumes after 16 weeks having won at Scone before the spell, and has made a strong start to its career. Zaragoza is the roughie, also a multiple winner at this track and returning to provincial company.
Selections:
- Sky Deck - $4.00
- Peleus - $4.40
- Home Missile - $8.00
- Zaragoza - $17.00
Race 8 - Go Hire The Events People BM64 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Century Song Current odds: $3.20
Century Song resumes after 12 weeks and has multiple wins at Kembla Grange. First-up last preparation was a narrow defeat at this track, and the field here looks weaker. This is our best bet of the day. Steel Knight comes from a good stable and placed at Canberra this preparation. Who But Roo can bounce back up in trip, and Boom Break won at Inverell before a 23-week spell.
Selections:
- Century Song - $3.20
- Steel Knight - $4.40
- Who But Roo - $6.00
- Boom Break - $9.00
