Morphettville has nine races on Saturday, headed by the Listed Hill Smith Stakes over 1800m. The track has been rated between a Good 4 and a Soft 5 during the week. Warm, sunny weather is forecast, so it could improve. The rail is out 8 metres from the 1200m to the winning post and 6 metres for the rest of the course. Last weekend horses won from all parts of the track.
Somewhere Soon in Race 8 is our best bet. Olivia Marie and Harmonic Dancer are the shorter-priced picks we like most, and Contrary is our each-way value runner in the feature.
Race 1 - Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Yourworstnightmare Current odds: $4.80
Yourworstnightmare won her maiden on a soft track at Murray Bridge despite being held up in the straight, and has won or placed in both starts. She should get a softer run here and can keep improving. Czech Out won two starts ago and ran second last weekend, and backs up quickly with a good map. Rebel Tuesday was beaten in much stronger races recently and drops in grade after a short freshen-up. Inhabit has placed in every run this campaign and draws barrier 1.
Selections:
- Yourworstnightmare - $4.80
- Czech Out - $3.30
- Rebel Tuesday - $4.00
- Inhabit - $5.50
Race 2 - Kirin Ichiban Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Olivia Marie Current odds: $2.80
Olivia Marie has finished in the top three in her last four starts. She was beaten less than a length last week in a slightly stronger race and backs up quickly. Barrier 13 is the risk, so she needs a good start. Sensational Secret had excuses for her last run, and her earlier form is good enough to win this. Cosmic Shower finally won her maiden last start and gets similar conditions. Brimarvi Rosemarie ran second at Murray Bridge and draws barrier 5.
Selections:
- Olivia Marie - $2.80
- Sensational Secret - $5.00
- Cosmic Shower - $7.50
- Brimarvi Rosemarie - $11.00
Race 3 - Sportsbet Hill Smith Stakes (1800m)
Selection: Kosaji Current odds: $3.20
Several runners in the Hill Smith come from the same Murray Bridge race. Kosaji was favourite there and ran second after sitting close to a slow pace. She now gets blinkers for the first time and looks suited by 1800 metres. Autumn Rainbow won first-up on the Pakenham synthetic and should improve over a longer trip on a drying track. Contrary is our value play. She finished better than anything in that Murray Bridge race, and her earlier runs over 2000 metres were good. Tikkamos placed in the same race carrying big weight and drops 3kg.
Selections:
- Kosaji - $3.20
- Autumn Rainbow - $2.10
- Contrary - $8.50
- Tikkamos - $7.00
Race 4 - M&J Chickens Handicap (1800m)
Selection: Jenni You Think Current odds: $2.90
Jenni You Think comes from Victoria after three straight placings, most recently third at Ballarat. She has been racing in stronger races and should suit the step up to 1800 metres, although she needs a good start from barrier 12. Percidian drops in grade, is light in the weights and draws barrier 1. Yarrawizardharry will try to lead and is hard to catch if he gets to the front. Callistemon has won all four of his races on rain-affected tracks, so he is worth including if it stays soft.
Selections:
- Jenni You Think - $2.90
- Percidian - $8.00
- Yarrawizardharry - $9.50
- Callistemon - $11.00
Race 5 - ASSA ABLOY Handicap (2541m)
Selection: Cradle Of Jazz Current odds: $3.60
Cradle Of Jazz has won four of 10 runs this campaign and goes well at Morphettville. She backs up a week after a solid fourth in the Halidon Cup, where she carried big weight on a firm track. The longer trip should suit her. Suit Of Wands has been consistent and should get an easy run from barrier 2, although the trip is a question mark. Arugamama has a good record at this track and distance and could return to form. Retourne has a strong record at 2500 metres.
Selections:
- Cradle Of Jazz - $3.60
- Suit Of Wands - $3.50
- Arugamama - $6.50
- Retourne - $13.00
Race 6 - Peter Elberg Funerals Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Harmonic Dancer Current odds: $2.10
Harmonic Dancer has only one career win and has placed as a short-priced favourite in each of his last two runs. This is an easier race with a soft map, though, so the price is short but fair. Dampen was third over the same course and distance last week, but he has to overcome a wide barrier. Howl ran on strongly for second last time and should appreciate the slightly longer trip. Sundogg is fitter second-up and should get a good run with a light weight.
Selections:
- Harmonic Dancer - $2.10
- Dampen - $6.00
- Howl - $11.00
- Sundogg - $16.00
Race 7 - Access Hardware Handicap (1050m)
Selection: Violet Lovebug Current odds: $5.00
Violet Lovebug returns after 32 weeks but has won both previous first-up runs and placed in a trial. Barrier 1 and a light weight give her every chance to lead and hold on. Daisydoo has won twice at Morphettville and comes from a strong stable. Real Deluxe drops back from a Listed sprint after a run of wins and should race forward. Up The Den won last start at Murray Bridge and gets in light with an apprentice claim.
Selections:
- Violet Lovebug - $5.00
- Daisydoo - $5.00
- Real Deluxe - $7.00
- Up The Den - $5.50
Race 8 - Adelaide Galvanising Industries Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Somewhere Soon Current odds: $6.00
Somewhere Soon is our best bet of the meeting. She won easily here second-up and now comes back third-up, at her peak, with a light weight after the apprentice’s claim. The race looks similar to her last win, and $6.00 is a good price. Florey was narrowly beaten as favourite at Murray Bridge and is also third-up and stepping up in trip, so she is the main danger. Bayou Music ran second at Murray Bridge after drifting in the market. All Too Mysti has trialled since her last run and comes from a strong stable.
Selections:
- Somewhere Soon - $6.00
- Florey - $4.80
- Bayou Music - $17.00
- All Too Mysti - $11.00
Race 9 - Sportsbet Fast Form Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Bacash Current odds: $4.20
Bacash comes from Victoria and drops in grade after racing in stronger company. He was third second-up at Caulfield last preparation, should get a good run from a low barrier and has a claim. From The Block has won twice at Morphettville and two of his last three starts, but barrier 16 is a problem. Anotherhouse won fresh at Murray Bridge, is fitter now and has a good record over this course and distance. Ronny Bee resumes after 34 weeks but was consistent last preparation.
Selections:
- Bacash - $4.20
- From The Block - $6.50
- Anotherhouse - $9.50
- Ronny Bee - $10.00
