The following is a survey of Australian racing tips for Saturday, April 25. The focus is on the group and listed races at Flemington, Morphettville and Rosehill. One of the highlights of the Hawkesbury Gold Cup, which is to be run at Rosehill (Race 7) this year. More tips and previews will be added as they become available.
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Best bets
Flemington Race 6: No. 4 Sacramento and No. 2 Royal Crown
Morphettville Race 9: No. 2 Dalasan
Rosehill Race 4: No. 1 In Her Time
Rosehill Race 7: No. 8 Amangiri and No. 10 Royal Celebration
Flemington
Race 1:
GRANDSLAM (1) Won last start at Morphettville but facing a stronger grade. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Rates a winning chance. FLYING AWARD (5) Charged home into 2nd last start at Sandown but up in class. Will be looking to sit just behind the pace. Can give this a shake. DIALA (3) Having second run back from a break. Finished on top last run at Caulfield but racing in stronger company today. Could go well. INDICTMENT (7) Came on strongly to finish 4th last run at Caulfield and fitter for debut run. Chance in this field so include in exotics.
Race 6:
ROYAL CROWN (2) Chimed in with a win last run at Caulfield and very competitive this campaign. Can go through the gears. The one they all have to beat. COIN COLLECTOR (3) Honest race when 3rd last start at Caulfield and will appreciate a good gate. Should get a lovely cart into it from just behind the leaders. Been in the money 5 from 7 attempts this preparation. Right in the thick of it and is a major player. SACRAMENTO (4) Did a good job when winning three runs back at Canberra and shows good early pace. Racing consistently since returning from a break. Good chance and wouldn’t be surprised to see it pick up a win. CHAINS OF HONOUR (1) Ended up over 9l from the winner at Randwick last time on a heavy surface. Should improve today and will appreciate the drop in grade. Has very good finishing speed. Solid claims.
Race 1: Diala
Race 6: Sacramento
Race 1:
DIALA (3) was a slick winner in the wet first up at Caulfield. Different test here up to 1400m on what is likely to prove firmer footing, but showed good ability last time and looks sure to get a good run up on speed. ITZHOT (2) improved sharply last time. Powered home to knock off FLYING AWARD (5) in what should prove a good form reference at Sandown. Both come here with solid claims, as does AIN’TNODEELDUN (6) who is an improver through the same race. GRANDSLAM (1) faces tougher opposition this time but was a nice winner in Adelaide and heading the right way for the leading yard.
Race 6:
SACRAMENTO (4) comes here off the Derby and that formline looks key. Stable have a great record targeting this race with horses off similar profiles and his effort in the Derby was full of merit. He is tough and looks a sure stayer. Through the same race CHAINS OF HONOUR (1) must have a hope. Still lightly raced and tipping better suited on top of the ground. From the local form ROYAL CROWN (2) has nice upside through his win in the Galilee and looks the most likely of them. COIN COLLECTOR (3) and BELLX (11) were both sound there and shape as though they will stay the journey.
Race 1:
2. Itzhot (3 stars)
3. Diala (3 stars)
1. Grandslam (3 stars)
5. Flying Award (3 stars)
Race 6:
2. Royal Crown (3 stars)
1. Chains Of Honour (3 stars)
4. Sacramento (3 stars)
3. Coin Collector (3 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
NOTE; Rail is back true. Was 8m here last meeting and track played well. Winners were up the middle in straight races. SPEED: Not sure, maybe 3, 4 lead 5, 6? GRANDSLAM had a sweet run in Adelaide but won well with 60kg and was heavily backed, he beat a couple with good ability I fancy, he wasn’t far off FLYING AWARD at debut. That 2YO went to Lakeside and was beaten a lip by ITZHOT in a slowly run race. AIN’TNODEELDUN was on their heels. DIALA led/won at Caulfield fresh in a race of little change. INDICTMENT ran on well there against the race pattern and may be the overs here?
Selections: 5. Flying Award (top tip), 1. Grandslam, 3. Diala, 2. Itzhot
Race 6:
SPEED: 4 may lead 3, 5, 7? 1 can go forward also. Most key hopes come through the Galilee Final at Caulfield. ROYAL CROWN won that race well, sustaining a run from a fair way out. BELLX was a solid second with COIN COLLECTOR a brave third after sitting closer to the speed in what was a better race to run on. If that’s the wrong form then CHAINS OF HONOUR can win, he is back many levels here and gets on to drier ground. LINDELANI is on the upward spiral. She just missed handy older mare Clementina at Lakeside and goes up $26.
Selections: 2. Royal Crown (top tip), 1. Chains Of Honour, 12. Lindelani, 3. Coin Collector
Race 1:
Diala (4 stars)
Itzhot (3 stars)
Flying Award (5 stars)
Race 6:
Royal Crown (5 stars)
Chains Of Honour (4 stars)
Sacramento (4 stars)
Race 1: Indictment
Race 3: Run To Perfection
Race 4: Vow And Declare
Race 1, No.7 Indictment – 3.5 stars
Race 3, No.1 Run to Perfection – 3.5 stars
Race 4, No.1 Vow and Declare – 4.5 stars
Race 6, No.4 Sacramento – 3.5 stars
Morphettville
Race 1:
CHARM SCHOOL (6) Finished on top last start at Sandown and carrying less weight this time. Looks a worthwhile proposition today. ECUMENICAL (5) Game effort to win last start at this venue. Very competitive this preparation. Worth strong consideration. JERLE (1) Really dug deep when winning two runs back at Gosford and dropping in class. Has run into the money 5 from 6 attempts this preparation. Among better hopes. CROWN MINT (2) Fought on gamely when winning last start at Sandown but rising in grade. One of the major players.
Race 5:
NIGHT EXPRESS (8) Third up. Was dominant when winning last start at the track and carrying less weight this time. Looks a worthwhile proposition today. CHARLEISE (7) Second up from a break. Solid effort when winning last run at Sandown and goes down in weight. Must respect in this event. EXCELIDA (3) Bold effort to win last time at Sandown and third up from a break. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Will be in the finish. LUNAR LIGHT (5) Kept running on late when 3rd two runs back at this venue and likely to race off the speed. Going well this campaign. Don’t overlook.
Race 8:
WAGING WAR (3) Had a break from racing and returns to competition. Finished strongly when 3rd two runs back at Caulfield but rises in weight today. No surprise to see a forward showing and one of the main hopes in this race. HAUNTED (1) Dashed home into 3rd two runs back at Flemington and possesses good finishing speed. Respect. VINLAND (2) Game effort to win three runs back at Flemington and displays very good finishing speed. Key hope. HARD EMPIRE (6) Good run placing 3rd last start around here and easy to come into at this distance. Minor claims.
Race 9:
DALASAN (2) Shot away to win last start around here. Has a great burst of speed late. Looks suited and should just win this. WARNING (1) Finished more than 9l from the winner at Randwick last time on a heavy track. Does look suited today and back in an easier grade. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Will go well. THEMOONLITEGAMBLER (5) Left nothing to chance when winning three runs back at Pakenham. In the mix. TOORADIN (6) Was first to greet the judge when winning two runs back at Ballarat but facing a stronger class. Has won 2 from 4 starts this campaign. Use betting as a guide and appears a rough hope for multiples
Race 5: Excelida and Charleise
Race 8: A Shin Rook and Waging War
Race 9: Dalasan
Race 1:
The 2yos kick off the day in the Breeders’ Stakes. CHARM SCHOOL (6) only comes out of a midweek race but it was a solid win. She was favourite in that and expect her to be sitting back and finding the line hard. ECUMENICAL (5) won the Dequetteville Stakes three weeks ago and will enjoy the extra 150m. Can push forward. JERLE (1) has had a very busy season coming up for a ninth run. He did run into a promising horse in the Kindergarten Stakes. CROWN MINT (2) broke the maiden and then trialled before this. No surprise to see another good effort. RANTING (3) runs off a Saturday second. Just needs some luck from the alley.
Race 5:
The Nitschke Stakes is a pretty open race with NIGHT EXPRESS (8) tough to beat again. She has run best when on the pace and led all the way two weeks ago. This is a harder race but there would be plenty of confidence drawn from that. CHARLEISE (7) will only improve off her first up win. She was taking on the good fillies in the Spring. The added 100m is a positive too. EXCELIDA (3) is another coming off midweek class but she loved the softer tracks. She can run a race. WILD VIXEN (9) comes out of some good form races and will take up a position. BALAABEL (6) rattled home in a weak race last time. Would like her up in trip.
Race 8:
In the City Of Adelaide Handicap, VINLAND (2) is a horse of noted ability but doesn’t show it all the time. This is his best distance range and from the draw should be able to get a nice run in transit. He should run well. HAUNTED (1) got back too far around a tricky circuit last time. He can balance up a bit closer this track. A SHIN ROOK (4) showed good consistency when last in work. Like that he is first up over this journey. WAGING WAR (3) took on the Toorak before a spell and was favourite. He generally does well resuming. ALL TOO HUIYING (7) will roll forward and might try to pinch it.
Race 9:
This is an excellent edition of the Chairman’s Stakes. DALASAN (2) finally got over some ground and he was dominant. Another furlong today from a lovely draw again and he’s got to be the one to beat. He’s a tough colt. WARNING (1) didn’t have the best of luck in the Derby in Sydney but was just held on to late rather than pushed out when beaten. A big drop in class and better surface won’t hurt. Does want longer. SKIDDAW (4) was the same in the Derby when beaten. He showed staying potential prior to that. TOORADIN (6) is one to watch. Bred to run a long way, he could be a sneaky Derby hope. PLAYOFFS (7) had too much to do recently. Has a soft run here.
Race 1:
1. Jerle (5 stars)
5. Ecumenical (4 stars)
2. Crown Mint (2 stars)
7. Bribery (2 stars)
Race 5:
2. Ethical Solution (5 stars)
6. Balaabel (4 stars)
3. Excelida (2 stars)
9. Wild Vixen (2 stars)
Race 8:
5. Morvada (5 stars)
2. Vinland (3 stars)
7. All Too Huiying (3 stars)
12. Nipperkin (3 stars)
Race 9:
2. Dalasan (3 stars)
1. Warning (3 stars)
8. Love ‘N’ Peace (3 stars)
6. Tooradin (3 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
A really good lineup for the first event on a big nine race card, three from the McEvoy yard and three interstate visitors! CROWN MINT took out a 1300m maiden at Sandown at his second outing. He has since trialled well. JERLE has been up for a while but continues to perform consistently. He was runner-up to Doubtland in the Kindergarten Stakes three weeks ago. BRIBERY was given a letup after running third in the Magic Millions 2yo last month. Watch market moves for the debutante VIOLINIST. She was runner-up to stablemate Transplant in a trial on 9/4.
Selections: 2. Crown Mint (top tip), 1. Jerle, 7. Bribery, 10. Violinist
Race 5:
EXCELIDA returned to form with a strong win over the mares at Sandown last time. She performed well in better grade last time in work and is suited out to 1400m. BALAABEL rises in grade following an easy win at Murray Bridge first up. A solid tempo up front here will help her chances though. Don’t be surprised to see ETHICAL SOLUTION improve. She’s much better than her latest effort suggests. Note that both DONE BY ME and CHARLEISE have accepted to run at Flemington today. If either elect to run here, they should not be overlooked.
Selections: 3. Excelida (top tip), 6. Balaabel, 2. Ethical Solution, 7. Charleise
Race 8:
VINLAND ran home hard to finish just behind the placegetters at Caulfield when resuming. The step up to 1400m is a plus and he has won here in the past. WAGING WAR hasn’t won for almost twelve months but he has been in the money in 5 of 6 first up attempts. He can settle close to the speed from a good draw. HARD EMPIRE was placed in the Manihi three weeks ago. Blinkers come off and winkers go on for the first time. HAUNTED has been close up in the finish in both runs back from a spell. MORVADA wasn’t suited by the drop back in distance last start and can improve.
Runner
Selections: 2. Vinland (top tip), 3. Waging War, 6. Hard Empire, 1. Haunted
Race 9:
Note that YOURDEEL and TOORADIN have both accepted to run in race 5 at Flemington. DALASAN easily accounted for the opposition in the Port Adelaide Guineas three weeks ago and the step up to 2000m looks ideal. There were excuses for WARNING in the ATC Derby last time. He’s down in grade today and can improve sharply. PLAYOFFS won two in a row prior to a luckless run in the Port Adelaide Guineas. He’s bred to appreciate the longer trip. The pattern of racing was against YOURDEEL at Caulfield last start. He could be worth another chance.
Selections: 2. Dalasan (best of the day), 1. Warning, 7. Playoffs, 5. Themoonlitegambler
Race 1:
Charm School (5 stars)
Ecumenical (4 stars)
Jerle (3 stars)
Race 5:
Night Express (5 stars)
Charleise (4 stars)
Excelida (4 stars)
Race 8:
Vinland (5 stars)
Haunted (4 stars)
A Shin Rook (3 stars)
Race 9:
Dalasan (5 stars)
Warning (4 stars)
Skiddaw (3 stars)
Betfair – Feature Race Reports:
Race 1:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #3 Ranting; #6 Charm School
Race 9:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #2 Dalasan
Race 1: 3 – Ranting – EACH-WAY
Race 9: 2 – Dalasan – BEST BET
Rosehill
Race 4, No.1 In Her Time – BEST BET – 4.5 stars
Race 7:
1. Royal Celebration – 3.5 stars
2. Amangiri
3. Manolo Blahniq
4. Aliferous
5. Gaulois
Best Bet: Royal Celebration ($8.00)
Exotic: Boxed Exacta: 1,8,10,14,15
Race 8, No.13 Nordicus – each-way – 3.5 stars
Race 6: Icebath
Race 7:
1. Amangiri
2. Royal Celebration
3. Manolo Blahniq
Race 3: No. 10 Grand Piano
Race 5: No. 2 Graff
Race 6: No. 4 Bandersnatch
Race 4:
IN HER TIME (1) Got going late when 5th last start at Randwick and can go through the gears. Must be considered. BANGKOK (6) Rocketed home into 3rd last start at Randwick and proven performer at this trip in the past. Displays good finishing speed. Suited. MULTAJA (4) Should be ready to fire fresh with 2 wins from 4 runs. Did well to finish 2nd last time at Eagle Farm and shows very good closing speed. Exotics chance. IRITHEA (2) Worked hard to finish 2nd two runs back at Randwick but will be facing a significant drop in distance today. Expecting to settle positively. Solid each way claims.
Race 5:
GRAFF (2) Could build on a strong first up record. Fell back to finish 12th last run at Newcastle. Looking for an improved run and suited at this trip historically. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Among better hopes. ALL TOO ROYAL (5) Rocketed home into 3rd two runs back at Caulfield and first up specialist. Been in the money 3 from 4 attempts this campaign. Could prove to be very difficult to beat. VILLAMI (10) Landed the spoils when winning two runs back at Randwick and shows good early pace. Strong each way bet. TACTICAL ADVANTAGE (1) Races well third up winning 3 from 5 runs. Looked solid when 4th last run at this course and possesses very good closing speed. Watch market moves closely.
Race 6:
ICEBATH (14) Solid effort when winning three runs back at Kembla Grange but facing a stronger class today. Tracking very well this preparation. Expected to fight out the finish. INDY CAR (2) Chimed in with a win last time at Randwick and displays good finishing speed. Ultra competitive this preparation with 2 wins from as many starts. Keep in mind. ELEVEN ELEVEN (3) Second up from a spell. Did its best work late when 2nd two runs back at Gold Coast and dropping in class. Chance for exotics punters. DAWN PASSAGE (1) Made considerable ground when 2nd two runs back here and will be hitting the line strongly. Up to these.
Race 7:
AMANGIRI (8) Couldn’t shake them off when 3rd two runs back at this track and shows good early pace. Well placed and has solid claims. GAULOIS (1) Really dug deep when winning three runs back at Warwick Farm. Expect to go close. MANOLO BLAHNIQ (14) Strong run when 4th last run at Caulfield and gets a reduction in weight. Expected to be flashing home. Genuine winning chance. LIVE AND FREE (16) Flew home into 2nd three runs back at the track and always seems to find the line well. Good chance of threatening these.
Race 4: In Her Time
Race 5: Villami and All Too Royal
Race 6: Eleven Eleven and Dawn Passage
Race 7: Amangiri
Race 4:
IN HER TIME (1) drops back sharply in grade here in what will be her final career start. Hasn’t been that far off the mark in recent efforts and the booking of Bowman is a decent push. Anywhere near her best and she blows these away. BANGKOK (6) is flying this time in having closed off very well in the Sapphire Stakes last start. Should be right at her top now and Dolan knows her well (4:1-2). MULTAJA (4) is the big query runner as she has trialled very well in the lead up. Just a query on where she gets to from the draw, but with even luck, she should be very strong late. NAANTALI (5) is not a noted fresh performer, but still has to be kept safe on best form.
Race 5:
VILLAMI (10) went like a bomb fresh before she had excuses last time out. Wasn’t able to find the lead there and that proved her undoing. Drops back to 1100m and love her kept fresh (28 days). Sure to improve back on top of the ground and she gets every chance at the weights. Should prove hard to beat. ALL TOO ROYAL (5) went to the paddock in great form and creates plenty of interest fresh. Drawn a touch awkwardly, but they find Boss and he looms as a major threat. GRAFF (2) hasn’t won in over 600 days, but has been tested against our best sprinters and comes back a few cogs here. Two of his three career wins have come at Rosehill and you have to respect his class. TACTICAL ADVANTAGE (1) can improve sharply back on top of the ground, suspect he is going a lot better than it appears.
Race 6:
ELEVEN ELEVEN (3) went super first up in the Arrowfield Sprint when caught wide throughout. Loomed up to run into the finish only to just peak on his run. Should be even better back on top of the ground, just has to overcome the draw. Over to you Nash! If he can somehow slot in, he wins. DAWN PASSAGE (1) didn’t handle the track last start, his effort first up was very good, he too just needs some luck from the wide draw. ICEBATH (14) was a tragedy beaten behind Indy Car last start and can atone here from the middle draw. Could be a risk on a firm deck? INDY CAR (2) has returned in great order and appears the next in line.
Race 7:
AMANGIRI (8) was very good fresh before struggling in the heavy conditions last start. Drops back in trip off that and Berry legs back aboard (7:2-3). Looks to get the lead on her own and is unbeaten third up. Should prove hard to beat. ROYAL CELEBRATION (10) is flying this time in and chases the hat-trick. Easily his toughest test and some query back on top of the ground. Nonetheless it’s hard to knock winning form. GAULOIS (1) comes here fresh (28 days) and is in good form this time in. Has placed in 9/10 attempts at this track and Bowman sticks, a bit to like. LIVE AND FREE (16) is yet to really fire fresh, but still has to be respected down in the weights.
Race 4:
12. Asharani (3 stars)
1. In Her Time (3 stars)
6. Bangkok (3 stars)
4. Multaja (3 stars)
Race 5:
6. Handle The Truth (5 stars)
15. Agent Pippa (3 stars)
1. Tactical Advantage (3 stars)
10. Villami (3 stars)
Race 6:
3. Eleven Eleven (3 stars)
4. Bandersnatch (3 stars)
14. Icebath (3 stars)
8. Chat (3 stars)
Race 7:
10. Royal Celebration (5 stars)
1. Gaulois (4 stars)
15. Aliferous (2 stars)
2. Shraaoh (2 stars)
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 4:
Last year’s quinella – IRITHEA and MULTAJA – return again. Pace not overly strong, with 2, 7 and 9 (??) the main contenders for the front. The lack of pace might allow IN HER TIME to slot in somewhere in the front half and if she does I will be very happy with that. Last week (in one of the better G3 sprints you would see) she got squeezed back to last and faced too big a task from there, coming frmo last in a race in which the winner led. Still ran past Deprive in the late stages and she is far more accustomed to G1 company than the mares she meets here. 60 kilos she has to carry but she has well and truly earned that. BANGKOK flying without winning.
Selections: 1. In Her Time (value bet), 6. Bangkok, 2. Irithea, 14. Misteed
Race 5:
Speed set solidly by 15, 10 and 9. GRAFF is one of a handful that bypassed last week’s Hall Mark to go here. Recent trials encouraging – particularly the latest when he had 3L over stablemate Le Romain – and fresh form is compelling. His latest two have seen him defeated but in good company. Last prep started with a 1L beat behind Redzel/Pierata and prior to that he was again only 1L off a win and ahead of him were In Her Time/Osborne Bulls/Sunlight. His other fresh runs he has won (including on this day at Hawkesbury two years ago). VILLAMI and HANDLE THE TRUTH both need to lift out of the Star Kingdom but could do.
Selections: 2. Graff (best of the day), 6. Handle The Truth, 15. Agent Pippa, 10. Villami
Race 6:
Pace rock-solid with 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 all scurrying early. Plenty of promising types here but perhaps none more so than INDY CAR, now with an impressive stakes win under his belt and still on the up in his prep. You could argue ICEBATH was stiff to run 2nd to him last start and there is a 2.5 kilo swing her way today. DAWN PASSAGE may have to get a long way back from his draw but he has competed respectably at the highest level and just needs some luck to feature. ELEVEN ELEVEN was very good along with him last start. No knock at all on the recent trials of BANDERSNATCH, nor RULE THE WORLD for that matter but perhaps to a lesser extent.
Selections: 2. Indy Car (top tip), 14. Icebath, 4. Bandersnatch, 1. Dawn Passage
Race 7:
8 to lead 5 with 7 and perhaps next in line. GAULOIS will do me even though he’s got topweight here, he should be able to set up in a lovely stalking spot and have last say. He did win 6th-up last prep as well (if that matters). Some may have expected more from AMANGIRI last start but this is still G1 back to G3 and she will have the chance to essentially control the race out front. ROYAL CELEBRATION comes through a coup0le of Benchmark wins and he has drawn way out but if he gets any luck at all from out there I would expect him to threaten. Flying and handles all conditions (and loves Rosehill).
Selections: 1. Gaulois (top tip), 8. Amangiri, 10. Royal Celebration, 15. Aliferous
Race 4:
In Her Time (5 stars)
Bangkok (4 stars)
Multaja (4 stars)
Race 5:
Villami (5 stars)
Graff (4 stars)
All Too Royal (4 stars)
Race 6:
Eleven Eleven (5 stars)
Dawn Passage (4 stars)
Icebath (4 stars)
Race 7:
Amangiri (5 stars)
Royal Celebration (4 stars)
Gaulois (4 stars)
Race 6:
BACK – Bandersnatch – Bet to WIN (stake 0.5% of your bank)
BACK – Rule The World – Bet to WIN (stake 0.3% of your bank)
Betfair – Feature Race Reports:
Race 7:
Betting Confidence: Medium
Back – #10 Royal Celebration; #16 Live And Free
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 1 #5 Saffiano – VALUE BET
Race 1 #2 Rock My Wand – LAY BET
Race 4 #1 In Her Time – BEST BET
Race 7 #6 Girl Tuesday