Five local race meetings are scheduled this weekend and field sizes are above average following recent abandonments. Larger fields generate bigger betting pools and a greater likelihood of upsets, especially because recent rain will have impacted training schedules. Massive payouts are on the cards for those astute enough to solve the exotic puzzles. The good news is that there are potential Pick 6 bankers at Turffontein on Saturday and Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. And you can go big at Randwick in Sydney on Saturday morning, when TAB Win, Place and Trifecta bets will be commingled into the Hong Kong World Pool.
Gavin Smith’s five-year-old Zatara Magic has a lot going for him in Race 8, a 2700m Pinnacle Plate that tops the bill. He is the only runner to have won beyond 2400m, unlike Firealley who is well in at the weights but unproven over the extra. Zatara Magic will be partnered by in-form Craig Zackey and is 5.5kg better off for a 2.25-length beating by Bournemouth. He looks likely to reverse that result over the marathon trip.
Michael Costa-trained Marbaan and Charlie Appleby’s Mysterious Night, first and second respectively in January’s Al Fahidi Fort, renew rivalry in Race 5, the Group 3 Ras Al Khor over 1400m. Mysterious Night, now 1.5kg better off, is fancied to take revenge and give Appleby his first win in this contest.
Icy Blast makes his debut for Mike and Mathew de Kock in Race 2, a Progress Plate over 1200m. He has won only one race from 17 starts, but was consistently placed against significantly stronger opposition in Cape Town, including graded-stakes winners Outlaw King, October Morn, Seeking The Stars and Questioning. With nothing of that calibre in this race, Icy Blast looks set to post an elusive second career win.
The Melbourne Autumn Carnival steps up a notch with two Group 1s - the All Star Mile (Race 7) and the Yulong Newmarket Handicap over 1200m (Race 9). Leading trainer Ciaron Maher’s runners are expected to go close in both events. Another Wil won the Orr Stakes in February and bypassed the Futurity Stakes for a tilt at the All-Star Mile. Growing Empire has yet to win at the highest level, but Maher's assistant-trainer Jack Turnbull believes he can win the Newmarket Handicap. He said: “Growing Empire has got plenty of weight, but he is a star colt.” Race 7 is at 06:30.
Canterbury Stakes Day at Randwick in Sydney is loaded with horsepower including Race 7, the Group 1 Randwick Guineas for three-year-olds. James Macdonald’s mount Broadsiding is hot favourite. “He’s a three-time Group 1 winner and has already stood up to be quite exceptional,” said trainer James Cummings of this Godolphin runner.
Race 8 is the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes over 1300m and it should be a cracker, don’t miss it. Magic Time is the one to beat but look for value in Stefi Magnetica (mount of Zac Lloyd, son of former top SA jockey Jeff) and outsider Militarize. The Hong Kong World Pool tote will be in operation on Races 7 to 10, so you can have a full go! Race 7 is off at 06:50.
A case can be made for all six runners in Race 2 over 1600m, but promising three-year-olds Rich Folks Hoax and Let It Be Said can fight it out. Let It Be Said has won in this class, but has a tendency to pull. Plus he must concede 3kg to Rich Folks Hoax, who appears more settled and has shown a liking for the course and distance.
The Pick 6 includes four big and competitive fields, and has big payout written all over it. Mike and Mathew de Kock’s three-year-old colt Immediate Edge is closest to a potential banker in Race 6 over 2000m. He followed a maiden win with an easy handicap success, is highly thought of and looks the most progressive runner in the field. Race 5 over 2000m looks ideal for Key Worker, the best performed over the distance, and Sean Tarry’s talented but erratic Storm Brasco looks set to enjoy the extra ground in Race 7 over 2400m.
SUGGESTED R480 (10%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 4 @ 14:15):
Leg 1: 2, 4, 5, 6, 10
Leg 2: 1,2, 4, 5
Leg 3: 4
Leg 4: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13
Leg 5: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Leg 6: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 11
David Hall’s Invincible Sage has a good winning chance in one of the weaker races he has contested in some time - the Kowloon City Handicap over 1200m (Race 8). Without the likes of Ka Ying Rising, Helios Express, and Howdeepisyourlove, the only three to finish ahead of him in the Grade 1 Hong Kong Sprint, he gets an opportunity to post his fifth career win under his favourite jockey Hugh Bowman. Race 1 is at 06:30
Six-year-old Outfit will be out to maintain his perfect Malaysian record in Race 2 over 1200m at Kuala Lumpur. A five-time winner in Singapore, Outfit impressed with a strong trial performance before winning his Malaysian debut on 23 February. He will be better for that run and should continue winning ways. The meeting starts at 06:45.
Cape Eagle hasn’t raced since finishing four lengths off Atticus Finch in the Betway Summer Cup, but has the class to make a winning return in Race 7, the Thandi Bengu Stakes over 1750m. Cape Eagle can expect opposition from well-weighted Miss Platina, but the seven-year-old is twice a winner over track and trip and it will be a surprise if he is beaten. “Cape Eagle is an experienced customer who tends to keep himself fit,” said trainer Andre Nel.