It’s a big day at Morphettville on Saturday where all the attention turns to the sprinters for the Group 1 The Goodwood.
Huge day in South Australia on the weekend where we are treated to the pinnacle of the Adelaide carnival with the running of the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m). The thrilling nine-race card is well complemented by five black type contests, consisting of four Group 3s and a Listed event.
In the big one it's the Western Australians that head the market with the pride of Perth Amelia's Jewel sitting atop of betting at $4.40, with talented three-year-old gelding Oscar's Fortune on the second line at $5.50, and this is where we are looking to play.
Only a head separated the WA pair last start in the second edition of The Quokka, as they rounded out the placings behind the inaugural winner and dual Group 1 victor Overpass. Both running to 118 on the Racing and Sports scale, there has only been three winners in the last 10 editions of The Goodwood that have performed better – Trekking & Black Heart Bart at 123, and Santa Ana Lane at 120.
After meeting even at the weights in The Quokka, the three-year-old now meets the mare 3kgs better under the conditions, which I'm confident will make all the difference and is why he is not only my play of the race but also this week's best bet.
Upon a closer look there doesn't appear to be a great deal of speed engaged outside of I Am Me, who will likely take up the running under Shinn from the inside pillar. I expect the wizard, William Pike to ease across from their gate (8) and sit outside or just behind the lead, and under the light weight be too strong for them in the lane.
As for best value play, we look to the last where I'm going back to the well with Wally West from the Jon O'Connor yard.
The frustrating four-year-old looked a more mature horse off the freshen with the blinkers on first time but just tired late in the piece when finishing third here a fortnight ago. Drawn ideally (2), the blinkers stay on and with that run under the belt I expect him to be in this for a very long way.
Say From SA
Best: Race 8 The Goodwood #15 Oscar's Fortune @ $5.50
Value: Race 9 #15 Wally West @ $13/3.80
