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Say From SA: Morphettville – Saturday, 18th November 2023

Analysis and suggested bets for the nine-race card at Morphettville on Saturday.

POISON CHALICE winning the Rodericks Insurance Brokers 3YO Mdn Plte at Geelong in Australia.
POISON CHALICE winning the Rodericks Insurance Brokers 3YO Mdn Plte at Geelong in Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

While we are without any black type racing this weekend in Adelaide, a solid nine-race card has been assembled and after doing the form there are spoils to be enjoyed.

A competitive BM82 kicks off proceedings where the three at the top of the market in Thirsty Guest, En Francais and Platinum Wolf look certain to battle it out.

While I give a slight edge to the Jake Stephens-trained En Francais, as he steps back sharply in grade after contesting the Group 3 Tesio Stakes at Moonee Valley three weeks ago, I'll keep the powder dry with our best of the day coming in the race subsequent.

In Race 2 it's Poison Chalice who gets the nod for this week's best bet and I'm confident he can justify the short quote.

Despite the numbers not necessarily vindicating this son of Savabeel's first up maiden win at Geelong back in late July, off a 310-day break mind you, the fashion in which the four-year-old picked up and disposed of his rivals late raised plenty of eyebrows in the R&S office.

Sent straight to town on the back of the win, Poison Chalice jumped a close second pick at Sandown-Hillside, and in what was almost identical fashion was able to burst through a gap late to again score stylishly.

Following up his midweek win with a narrow defeat and then a win both in BM64 grade, Poison Chalice was able to produce an eye-catching performance in a BM80 contest on Oaks Day at his latest effort.

After settling 15 of 16 and never looking likely in the run, rider James Mcdonald hooked the Paul Preusker-trained four-year-old to the outside when straightening for home and let rip to produce the fastest last 600m of the race in 34.48secs and finish a barnstorming fifth, only beaten a length after being 6.5L off the leader at the turn.

Now dropping back to BM72 grade and having been able to show some tactical speed from favourable gates in the past, Poison Chalice should be able to land a much more positive spot from barrier two (2) and race economically before letting loose with his devastating turn of foot to take care of his opponents.

As for the best value play, I'm heading to Race 7 where Enterprise Jewel from the Jordan Frew camp looks over the odds.

Despite not having the results to show for it, Enterprise Jewel is ticking along nicely and shoulders similar ratings to those of his rivals who may have recorded better finishing positions of late.

Confidence is added when noting the key booking of the state's leading rider Jake Toeroek.

Hot-hand hoop Toeroek is striking at an impressive 24% in his last 50 rides and will be full of confidence after tasting success aboard the promising Karavas on Oaks Day at Flemington.

I expect this mare to make her presence felt and be fighting out the finish.

Say From SA

Best: Race 2 #4 Poison Chalice @ $2

Best each way: Race 7 #5 Enterprise Jewel @ $15/$3.80