The following is a survey of Australian racing tips for Saturday, May 8. The focus is on the race card at the Gold Coast along with the feature races at Morphettville. The highlight of the day is the Group 1 Australian Derby (Race 7) at Morphettville.
More tips will be added as they become available.
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Best bets
Gold Coast Race 4: 3. Racecourse Road
Morphettville Race 2: 10. Biscayne Bay, each-way
Morphettville Race 7: 6. Deepstrike, each-way
Morphettville Race 8: 1. Cherry Tortoni
Gold Coast
Race 1:
OLYMPIC CLASS (13) Second up from a break. Winner last start at Sunshine Coast and carrying less weight this time. Big chance. CELLARMAID (4) Good win three runs back at Doomben and displays good closing speed. Winning hope. TAVION PRINCE (1) Game effort to win last time at Doomben. Likely to get a nice run behind the speed. Capable of forward showing and can be competitive. I COULD DO BETTER (8) Produced an eye catching run when 3rd three runs back at Doomben. Expecting to settle just off the pace. At least a place chance.
Race 2:
SUGAR BOOM (4) Was all too good winning two runs back at this track and displays good tactical speed. Rates well in this race. USMANOV (3) Lost ground in the run home when 5th last time at Moonee Valley. Happy to forgive that run and let up. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Can have an impact. NIEDORP (6) Could build on a strong first up record. Won narrowly three runs back at Doomben and expecting to settle positively. Main hope. SPURCRAFT (2) Proven record when resuming. Flashed home late into 3rd two runs back at Sunshine Coast. Will be in the finish.
Race 3:
HUMBOLT CURRENT (4) Won narrowly three runs back at Doomben and carrying less weight this time. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Main hope. LORD BELVEDERE (2) Races well third up winning 4 from 6 starts. Forgive the run when 7th at Caulfield. Expecting improvement and will be hitting the line strongly. Chance to break through and a could give a show. TRADUCE (7) Racing for the second time this week. Got the cash when winning last run at Eagle Farm but up in class. Should just about get the run of the race. Expected to fight out the finish. STARDOME (6) Handy enough when winning last run at Doomben but facing a stronger class. Include in all exotics.
Race 4:
RACECOURSE ROAD (3) Third up specialist with 3 wins from 5 starts. Really dug deep when winning last start at Doomben and should muster plenty of early toe. Flying this campaign with 2 wins from as many runs. This field suits. WISDOM OF WATER (11) Competitive effort when 2nd two runs back at Rosehill and displays good tactical speed. Can make a claim. STAMPE (6) Having second run back from a spell. Won three runs back at Eagle Farm and goes down in weight. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Right in this. PASSAGE OF TIME (2) Even though moving back still finished 3rd two runs back at Randwick and likely to race off the speed. Use betting as a guide.
Race 5:
RANCH HAND (4) Blitzed its rivals when winning three runs back at Warwick Farm and should race just behind the speed. Hard to overlook. CORK HARBOUR (6) Second up from a spell. Landed the spoils when winning last time at Canterbury but facing a stronger grade. Capable of a place and a good chance. MISTER LARRABEE (7) Shot clear to win last start at Sunshine Coast but facing a stronger class today. Looks set to run a place. SUBTERRANEAN (3) Charged home into 3rd last time at Doomben and expecting to settle positively. Has to be strongly considered.
Race 6:
TYCOON EVIE (1) Was all too good winning two runs back at Eagle Farm but facing a stronger grade today. Displays good tactical speed. Has to be included. EASIFAR (2) Really dug deep when winning last time at Doomben but up in class. Strong form this preparation winning 2 from 4 attempts. Key hope. GRACE AND HARMONY (7) Scored a victory last run at Randwick and third up from a spell. Flying this preparation with 2 wins from as many runs. Market watch advised and can run into the money. SIGNORA NERA (13) Faded to finish 6th last run at Randwick but looks well placed in this grade. Should land a nice spot just off the speed. Exotics hope in this event.
Race 7:
MARBOOSHA (12) Bold effort to win three runs back at Flemington. Likely to race off the speed. Will give a big sight. ROCKETING BY (2) Having second run back from a break. Fought on well to win two runs back at Randwick and dropping in grade. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Could prove to be very difficult to beat. SIMPLY FLY (3) Handy enough when winning three runs back around here and going well this preparation. Possesses good closing speed. Could go well. LORD OLYMPUS (5) Really dug deep when winning last run at Doomben but facing a stronger grade today. Should enjoy a cosy run off the pace. Should go close.
Race 8:
AVILIUS (2) Flew home into 3rd two runs back at Rosehill but up in weight today. Displays good finishing speed. Could go well. ZAAKI (7) Rattled home nicely into 2nd last start at Randwick and likely to race off the speed. Has the ability to figure. MELODY BELLE (9) Was first to greet the judge when winning two runs back at Ellerslie and going well this campaign. Should just about get the run of the race. One of the chances. FIFTY STARS (1) Finished 7th last start at Randwick but drops back to a suitable class. Will be hitting the line strongly. Can win.
Race 9:
WONDERFUL RIRI (7) Showed promise when winning last start at Doomben. Expecting to settle just off the pace. Winning chance in what appears a suitable race. YAMAZAKI (2) When $6 ended up 1 1/2L behind the winner at Moonee Valley last run on a good track. Expecting improvement and always seems to find the line well. Can be competitive. EURO BELLE (9) Charged home into 2nd last run at Eagle Farm and likely to race off the speed. Been in the money 3 from 4 attempts this campaign. Chance. GEM OF SCOTLAND (5) Displayed good finishing speed when 2nd two runs back at Doomben and gets some weight taken off today. Genuine threat.
Race 1: Olympic Class
Race 2: Sugar Boom
Race 3: Lord Belvedere
Race 4: Racecourse Road
Race 5: Ranch Hand
Race 6: Tycoon Evie
Race 7: Marboosha
Race 8: Melody Belle
Race 9: Wonderful Riri
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 1:
Massive day of racing on the Gold Coast this Saturday featuring the G2 Hollindale Stakes plus a support card containing no less than 5 Group & Listed races. Conditions, well as I type Wednesday morning the track is a Heavy (8) & the radar is not good at all, fine weather Thurs onwards however the damage likely already done. The Waller trained I COULD DO BETTER caught the eye very late last start running home hard from a clear last, although only won up to 1400m that latest run suggests 1800m will suit. TAVION PRINCE is likely to take further improvement off his last start win.
Selections: 8. I Could Do Better (Top Tip), 1. Tavion Prince, 13. Olympic Class, 5. Senrima Tide
Race 2:
The Bat Out Of Hell over the short 900m scamper where Sugar Boom will look to cross, I’d suggest she’s a real risk of not turning up here as she just didn’t handle the wet at all back in March. USMANOV looks the way to go, given a break since far from disgraced down south he races well here, handles the ground & should get the right run. NIEDORP will likely charge through from her inside draw & lead, particularly should Sugar Boom come out. She’s terrific fresh & trialled up nicely for her return, soft would be better for her. SPURCRAFT & JUST ORM certainly in the mix.
Selections: 3. Usmanov (Top Tip), 2. Spurcraft, 6. Niedorp, 1. Just Orm
Race 3:
Different look to the distance affair this week which is a nice change with some new players on the scene, no obvious leader on the map though, who will it be? Perhaps Stardome? Even with the new blood I’m going with one of the locals in ROMAKASH who always seems to bob up in these types of races. He holds a good record here on the track, handles the wet ground & I have a sneaking suspicion he’s been set for this. TRADUCE & STARDOME are both racing well, the latter has the better wet track record.
Selections: 5. Romakash (Top Tip), 6. Stardome, 7. Traduce, 1. Raheen House
Race 4:
Racecourse Road draws well & can lead if connections wish too, I’d expect Wisdom Of Water to provide the most opposition should he run here & not in Race 7, Stampe may also push on? I’m in the RACECOURSE ROAD corner, there really shouldn’t be a lot of pressure early on & he loves this track being unbeaten here with one of his wins over this 1200m trip, holds a very good wet track record also. SCALLOPINI is another who races well in damp conditions, he’ll be getting back off the speed & charging late. CAPITAL CONNECTION in the mix also, this race doesn’t appear to have a long tail.
Selections: 3. Racecourse Road (Best of the Day), 1. Scallopini, 5. Capital Connection, 2. Passage Of Time
Race 5:
There’s a more than a few capable of going forward in the Ken Russell, nos.2, 5, 6, 11, 12 & 13 predominantly, keep in mind many here are untested on wet ground. I’ll lean RANCH HAND who won on a soft (7) surface on debut at Warwick Farm pulling clear late, his subsequent two outings were ok & he has won a lead up trial. Stablemate CORK HARBOUR hasn’t seen a wet track however being by Snitzel is a big help, looks an improving type & I liked his Canterbury win where he kept finding pulling clear late under challenge. Definite watch MISTER LARRABEE who brained a much inferior bunch second start.
Selections: 4. Ranch Hand (Top Tip), 6. Cork Harbour, 7. Mister Larrabee, 5. Debussy
Race 6:
Pace in The Bracelet from nos.1, 2, 5, 8, 14 & 16 (em), should they all run the tempo is likely to be genuine or better. Very open race this one, can find niggling concerns for each runner which is no help! The Kiwi filly FORCE OF WILL has a good wet track record back home & her two starts over here have been ok. Michael Rodd will be looking to get off the inside section before the home turn & if he does she can figure. TYCOON EVIE, does she go back or forward from that gate? Can’t leave her out either way. Expect GOOD SOIZE to be running on again together with GRACE AND HARMONY & SIGNORA NERA
Selections: 4. Force Of Will (Top Tip), 1. Tycoon Evie, 13. Signora Nera, 2. Easifar
Race 7:
Pace here from nos.4, 8 & 11 who are all drawn wide, 13 & 15 capable of scooting through along the inside & holding prominent positions. SIMPLY FLY is obviously a complete ‘head case’ , Steph Thornton has said many times he’s got a million tricks, well the buck jumping effort last time was a new one however I’m sticking with him here. Absolute swimmer he won here two back in similar conditions & drawn out he can charge down the outside. LORD OLYMPUS’ win at Doomben was outstanding, a drying track would be more in his favour though. GAROPPOLO the unknown, luckless fresh, wet?
Selections: 3. Simply Fly (Value Bet), 5. Lord Olympus, 6. Immortal Love, 10. Garoppolo
Race 8:
Cracking race the Hollindale, the speed map lacks a leader though with only Paradee, Shared Ambition, Homesman & the Kiwi Tiptronic figuring on paper. I’m going to ignore that map & put AVILIUS on top, yes he will get back however nice & fresh looking for this trip now he’ll get to the outside & run home hard, doesn’t mind the wet at all either. HOMESMAN should get over ok early, his one heavy track run was a failure, probably had excuses but was beaten 24L. His soft form is excellent though, cannot leave him out. ZAAKI suited back to 1800m, if close enough he can win, drying track would help.
Selections: 2. Avilius (Top Tip), 3. Homesman, 12. Paradee, 7. Zaaki
Race 9:
The Silk Stocking is always an exciting race & this years appears no different, plenty of pace up front on the map. Going to give GEM OF SCOTLAND another chance, she put in a terrific performance two starts back racing wide & beating all bar the winner, she then finished out of the placings behind Skins however that will be a hot form race. Handles the wet & ridden quietly here can get home over them late. WONDERFUL RIRI beat her last time, she’s been flying since joining the O’Dea/Hoysted yard & also gets through the ground. Keep a close eye on Shahzade who looks a ‘mudder’.
Selections: 5. Gem Of Scotland (Top Tip), 7. Wonderful Riri, 16. Shahzade, 3. Sofie’s Gold Class
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 7 #3 Simply Fly (4.80) – BEST BET
Race 8 #5 Mister Sea Wolf (19.00, 5.50)
Race 3: 2. Lord Belvedere
Race 8: 7. Zaaki
Morphettville
Race 7:
BEST BET: Personal
EXOTIC: Boxed exacta 1,3,15
TOP 5:
1. Personal
2. Liqueuro
3. Explosive Jack
4. Deepstrike
5. Miletus
Race 7: Deepstrike
Race 2:
THREE KINGS (1) Brave effort to win last time at Flemington. Very competitive this campaign. Big chance. BISCAYNE BAY (10) Displayed potential when winning two runs back at Sandown. Possesses good finishing speed. Can make a claim. CLOUDY (9) Really dug deep when winning last run at this track and will appreciate a good draw. Going well this campaign winning 3 from 5 starts. Appears well in this. KARACASU (2) Was fighting out the finish when winning two runs back at this track. Should go close.
Race 7:
EXPLOSIVE JACK (1) Was fighting out the finish when winning last start at Randwick and expected to be flashing home. Tracking very well this preparation. Genuine threat. LIQUEURO (3) Won last time at Caulfield and goes down in weight. Going well this preparation winning 4 from 5 starts. Ticks plenty of boxes and looks like value. PERSONAL (15) Good run when placing 2nd last run here and gets a nice run behind the speed. Been in the money 3 from 4 attempts this campaign. Likely threat. DEEPSTRIKE (6) Showed promise when winning two runs back at Sandown and shows good finishing speed. Very tidy this preparation winning 2 from 3 attempts. Stays under notice.
Race 8:
CHERRY TORTONI (1) Good run when finishing 2nd three runs back at Flemington and drops back to a suitable class. Should be swooping on the field late. Deserves respect. EMBOLISM (2) Bold effort when 5th last start at Randwick and goes down in grade. Shows good finishing speed. Must respect in this event. AGREEABLE (8) Nice effort when winning two runs back at Caulfield. Possesses good finishing speed. Key hope. WAY TO GO PAULA (9) Got the cash when winning two runs back at Pakenham and will be trying to topple them late. Has each way claims.
Race 2: Biscayne Bay and El Rocko
Race 7: Deepstrike each-way
Race 8: Cherry Tortoni, saving on Agreeable
Race 2: Biscayne Bay, each-way
Race 7: Deepstrike, each-way
Race 8: Cherry Tortoni
Sportsbet – Race Comments and Selections:
Race 2:
BISCAYNE BAY impressed winning at Sandown two starts ago then went to Flemington last time where she was runner-up in the Anzac Day Stakes. PRINCESS RAFFLES has been crying out for the 1400m trip, she could be the value runner for trifectas and first fours. THREE KINGS made it two on the trot when he scored at Flemington a fortnight ago. CLOUDY notched up her third win this campaign in the Breeders last start. She’ll push forward and could prove hard to run down. FOREVER AND A DAY and BLUSHING TYCOON have both accepted to run at Caulfield today. Watch betting moves for COSMIC RANGER.
Selections: 10. Biscayne Bay (Top Tip), 12. Princess Raffles, 1. Three Kings, 9. Cloudy
Race 7:
Nothing went the way of DEEPSTRIKE here a fortnight ago, put a line through the run as he didn’t see daylight until the race was all over. Damian Lane takes the ride today. PERSONAL notched up her third placing this time in work when second to Media Award in the Oaks last week. The step up in trip is in her favour. EXPLOSIVE JACK comes off a narrow but tough win in the ATC Derby four weeks ago. LET’S KARAKA DEEL ran home strongly from back in the field to finish second in the Port Adelaide Guineas last month. It’s impossible to fault the form of ROYAL MILE. He just keeps on improving.
Selections: 6. Deepstrike (Value Bet), 15. Personal, 1. Explosive Jack, 2. Royal Mile
Race 8:
CHERRY TORTONI chased home Lunar Fox in the Australian Guineas at his most recent run over this trip. He comes into this fresh, any give in the ground would be a big plus for him. AGREEABLE (also accepted to run at Caulfield today) got too far out of her ground here last time before running on late to finish two lengths from the winner. CASINO SEVENTEEN won three in a row earlier this preparation, then was placed in the Port Adelaide Guineas two starts ago. Stablemates WAY TO GO PAULA and HIGHLY DISCREET are other chances.
Selections: 1. Cherry Tortoni (Top Tip), 8. Agreeable, 9. Way To Go Paula, 3. Casino Seventeen
Unibet – From the Trader’s Desk:
Race 8 #1 Cherry Tortoni (2.00)