Adelaide races on Melbourne Cup Day with a 10-race card at Morphettville, headlined by the Listed Sportsbet John Letts Cup over 1800m. The track was rated a Good 4 with clear weather forecast, so it should hold that rating all day. The rail is out 6m from the 1200m to the winning post and 3m elsewhere, and Saturday’s meeting played fairly, with winners coming from all parts of the straight. Prices were captured on Monday afternoon.
Our best bet is Street Legal in the opening race, a consistent maiden who looks to have found the right race first-up for a new stable. Shogun Chikara (Race 3) is the other strong play, and Talisay is our each-way value in the feature. Koratora, the early favourite in Race 5, ran on Saturday and is expected to be withdrawn.
Race 1 - Canadian Club Maiden Plate (1050m)
Selection: Street Legal Current odds: $2.10
Street Legal resumes after 13 weeks for a new stable and drops to non-metro maiden company, which looks the right level for him. He was consistent without winning in his first preparation, won a trial recently and maps for a soft run from barrier 4. This is our best bet of the day. Chix Diggus is the main danger, resuming with blinkers on for the first time and a perfect draw in barrier 1, although he has not had a public trial. Scooped has a fitness edge on the field and Light Brigade showed early speed when placing on debut.
Selections:
- Street Legal - $2.10
- Chix Diggus - $2.00
- Scooped - $6.50
- Light Brigade - $14.00
Race 2 - Sportsbet Same Race Multi Fillies & Mares Maiden Plate (1050m)
Selection: Artison Current odds: $3.40
Artison has three placings from four runs this preparation and drew a wide gate when resuming at Gawler. She comes in from barrier 1 here, second-up and fitter, and should get every chance. Arizona Dreamer resumes after 20 weeks off the back of a trial win and placed twice last preparation. Palace Lore is the favourite on debut for a good stable after solid trials. Madam Moneybags was only run down late at Gawler first-up and may find the lead.
Selections:
- Artison - $3.40
- Arizona Dreamer - $4.00
- Palace Lore - $3.00
- Madam Moneybags - $9.00
Race 3 - Sportsbet Fast Form Maiden Plate (1600m)
Selection: Shogun Chikara Current odds: $2.10
Shogun Chikara was well backed on debut at Gawler and went down by only a neck on a soft track, despite racing greenly on the speed. He should improve sharply for that experience and maps for an easier run this time. He is our second-strongest play. Empress Of Kirk improved sharply when third at Strathalbyn and looks the type to appreciate the step up in trip. Pretty Morsel is a long-time maiden but has placed five times from eight runs this preparation and backs up quickly. Fullheadofsteam is the roughie.
Selections:
- Shogun Chikara - $2.10
- Empress Of Kirk - $3.80
- Pretty Morsel - $6.00
- Fullheadofsteam - $16.00
Race 4 - Thomas Farms Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Flying Brant Current odds: $2.70
Flying Brant drops in grade and back to non-metro company, and he looks the only natural leader in the race. If he is left alone in front from barrier 4, he will take some running down. Wind Rush is the main danger; he did not look suited when back in trip last time and his only win came at this 1600m. Bayou Music disappointed last start but his earlier form was much better at this level. Boolcunda Dawn comes from a strong yard and rounds out the top four.
Selections:
- Flying Brant - $2.70
- Wind Rush - $3.80
- Bayou Music - $6.00
- Boolcunda Dawn - $5.25
Race 5 - San Remo Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Attain Current odds: $3.50
With Koratora expected to be scratched after running on Saturday, Attain looks the one to beat. He returns to South Australia after a few runs in stronger races, finished well last start, and steps up in distance, which should suit. All Shot ran well two starts ago and drops back in class after a disappointing run in a stronger race. Leliyn is third-up and should race closer from an inside gate. Enlist goes well first-up and is the each-way roughie.
Selections:
- Attain - $3.50
- All Shot - $5.50
- Leliyn - $5.50
- Enlist - $12.00
Race 6 - Rexco People Handicap (2525m)
Selection: Girls Girls Girls Current odds: $3.30
Girls Girls Girls was heavily backed in a stronger race last start and finished a long way back, but his form before that was much better and he won at Gawler two runs ago. Back in non-metro class, he gets the chance to bounce back. Sandastan has won his last two at Strathalbyn and Manangatang and is the clear danger, although he carries a big weight. Exalted Fire comes from a strong stable and Chance Taken may improve for the longer trip.
Selections:
- Girls Girls Girls - $3.30
- Sandastan - $3.60
- Exalted Fire - $9.00
- Chance Taken - $11.00
Race 7 - Sportsbet John Letts Cup (1800m)
Selection: Talisay Current odds: $7.00
The feature has plenty of speed, with Placo, Air Assault and Sir Kingsford all likely to be up near the lead, and that should suit a horse finishing off the race. Talisay fits that profile. She has been hitting the line hard in recent runs, was narrowly beaten as favourite last start at this track, and has a strong record over this course and distance. With a lighter weight than most of her rivals, she is our each-way value play. Air Assault won this race last year and is unbeaten in four starts at Morphettville over this trip, so he is the class runner to beat. Florey won last start here and drops to non-metro grade. Freedom Flame gets in light and should land a good spot behind the speed.
Selections:
- Talisay - $7.00
- Air Assault - $3.50
- Florey - $7.00
- Freedom Flame - $5.00
Race 8 - Peter Elberg Funerals Handicap (1050m)
Selection: Mercury Eight Current odds: $3.60
Mercury Eight won first-up at Balaklava and looks the only natural leader here. If he gets his own way in front, he will be hard to catch second-up and fitter. Heaven Rocks is the danger, resuming after 19 weeks with a strong first-up record of two wins and two placings from four tries, and a dry track will suit him. Musical Sunset is fit third-up and maps well. Rich Lady draws barrier 1.
Selections:
- Mercury Eight - $3.60
- Heaven Rocks - $4.20
- Musical Sunset - $6.50
- Rich Lady - $7.50
Race 9 - Aceit Transport Solutions Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Royal Fox Current odds: $3.70
Royal Fox ran a forgivable race last start and is better suited by a fair track. He has trialled since that run and has a good record at this course and distance. He settles back, so needs some luck, but he is the most consistent horse in the field. Hell’s On Fire may lead with her 3kg claim and could be hard to catch if the tempo is moderate. Casino Showgirl placed first-up at Penola, and Frontpoint backs up quickly after a win at Strathalbyn earlier this preparation.
Selections:
- Royal Fox - $3.70
- Hell’s On Fire - $6.00
- Casino Showgirl - $5.00
- Frontpoint - $6.00
Race 10 - Kirin Ichiban Handicap (1800m)
Selection: Taupo Tiger Current odds: $5.00
Taupo Tiger has placed at each of his last five starts and has two wins this campaign. He steps up to 1800m, which should suit, and drops back to non-metro class. He is hard to beat if he gets a clear run. Yorokobi was strong late when just beaten at Strathalbyn and is suited by the longer trip. Big Rita June has been hitting the line well, and Darci Lane can settle much closer from barrier 1.
Selections:
- Taupo Tiger - $5.00
- Yorokobi - $5.50
- Big Rita June - $5.00
- Darci Lane - $7.00
