Port Lincoln races eight times on Sunday, starting at 1:42pm, and the track is rated a Good 4. A lot of the fields are made up of horses resuming from long breaks, so trial form matters more than usual. Prices below were taken on Saturday evening and will change.
Our best bet is Pick ‘N’ Mix in Race 4, who has the best form line in a tight handicap. Raikoke in Race 3 is the market favourite, but he is short enough that we prefer to use him in exotics.
Race 1 - Eyre Car Centre Maiden Plate (1210m)
Selection: Hammertime Current odds: $3.40
This is a weak maiden, so we are not confident in any of them. Hammertime comes back from a seven-week let-up and has drawn perfectly, so he gets the narrow nod. Fullheadofsteam is the other chance. He ran fourth at Strathalbyn, should bounce back, and has the speed to overcome a wide barrier. It’s A Solid Deel drops back in distance and can be competitive. Fairline backs up after seven days and has the blinkers on for the first time. Only One Ruler is a first starter at $21.00, so follow the market on him.
Selections:
- Hammertime - $3.40
- Fullheadofsteam - $4.00
- It’s A Solid Deel - $6.00
- Fairline - $8.00
Race 2 - Lincoln Estate Maiden Plate (1000m)
Selection: Vasilias Current odds: $4.60
We would not rely on the form in this race. Vasilias returns from a let-up after running fourth at Port Augusta and placed in a trial 42 days ago, and Sophie Potter is in good form for this stable, so he is the best of them on what we have. Go Ask Alice backs up after a seven-day gap. Trevidi has each-way claims despite a poor run last start, and Uncommon Mind resumes from a 46-week spell with a good trial win behind him. Sauntering and the first starter Golden Basilica are the other runners to keep an eye on.
Selections:
- Vasilias - $4.60
- Go Ask Alice - $6.50
- Trevidi - $7.50
- Uncommon Mind - $8.00
Race 3 - Lincoln Mower & Motorcycle BM68 Handicap (1350m)
Selection: Chef Militaire Current odds: $6.00
We think the first three in the betting should fill the places. Chef Militaire is the value. He won by a length and a half at Port Augusta last start while setting the pace, he has the perfect draw, and he is back from a six-week break. I’m A Dexstar was finishing off well at Morphettville, and Sophie Potter and Byron Cozamanis have had a lot of success together. Raikoke is the favourite at $2.30 and steps up in distance in an easier grade, but we prefer to include him in exotics rather than back him to win. Kokoro is first-up in a weaker grade.
Selections:
- Chef Militaire - $6.00
- I’m A Dexstar - $3.10
- Raikoke - $2.30
- Kokoro - $8.50
Race 4 - Q Mechanical BM64 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Pick ‘N’ Mix Current odds: $4.20
This is our best bet of the day. Pick ‘N’ Mix won a trial 25 days ago, drops back to country grade for a new trainer, and was well beaten at Sandown last time against better horses, so he should bounce back. Sassy For Sure is the favourite at $2.40 and is the main danger. She won a trial since her last start and should get a soft run from her draw. Russian Bobshark resumes after 64 weeks with less weight, and Deep Emotion is first-up after 32 weeks with a change of trainer.
Selections:
- Pick ‘N’ Mix - $4.20
- Sassy For Sure - $2.40
- Russian Bobshark - $9.00
- Deep Emotion - $10.00
Race 5 - Kym Clarke Construction BM66 Handicap (1210m)
Selection: Power Primo Current odds: $4.00
This looks like a two-horse race, and we prefer Power Primo, who led all the way to win by a head last start at Port Lincoln and is first-up from a 27-week spell. He should be well placed early. Talent Scout drops back in grade and has drawn nicely, so he is a danger at $4.20. Charka gets a favourable alley and drops weight. There Goes My Hero was making up ground for fourth at Oakbank and is a place chance. Renegade Chief is first-up after 31 weeks at a big price.
Selections:
- Power Primo - $4.00
- Talent Scout - $4.20
- Charka - $7.00
- There Goes My Hero - $8.00
Race 6 - Port Lincoln Hotel Rating 0-54 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Another Bride Current odds: $5.50
This is a lower-grade race and several runners are returning from long breaks. Another Bride resumes after 27 weeks with a trial placing behind her, has a good draw and good tactical speed, and she is the favourite. Queenoftheair was second by a length at this track last time and drops in distance. The Hass has the early speed to cross from a wide draw. Equine Headline ran third at this track last start and is the each-way chance.
Selections:
- Another Bride - $5.50
- Queenoftheair - $6.00
- The Hass - $8.00
- Equine Headline - $8.50
Race 7 - Sportsbet Rating 0-54 Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Lake Agawam Current odds: $3.60
Lake Agawam is the market favourite and the horse both previews rate best. He resumes after 25 weeks, has a trial placing since his last start, drops in distance, and should be running on late. Minato has a good draw and should find the lead easily, which is worth a lot over 1000m, so he is the main danger at $7.00. Alfano resumes after 25 weeks and has placed in all of his previous races as a favourite. Champagne Effort is first-up and also trialled well.
Selections:
- Lake Agawam - $3.60
- Minato - $7.00
- Alfano - $6.50
- Champagne Effort - $7.50
Race 8 - Yumbah Mussels Holdings Rating 0-56 Handicap (1350m)
Selection: Sir Panama Current odds: $5.00
We expect the top few to settle this one. Sir Panama is first-up after a break, has won four times at Port Lincoln before and is proven at the distance, so the favourite is a fair price. Utah is first-up for a new trainer and sits just behind him at $4.80. Dougal McKeen won at a big price at Mount Gambier and is a danger. Charlesfort wears the blinkers again after a narrow defeat on a soft track at Bordertown. Wendouree finished well at Balaklava and is a long shot at $18.00.
Selections:
- Sir Panama - $5.00
- Utah - $4.80
- Dougal McKeen - $5.50
- Charlesfort - $6.00
