A 9 race meet at Morphettville headlines Australian racing this Monday, the 13th of March. The 2017 Adelaide Cup will be ran in race 7 and we have a full preview for the big race, as well as our tips for every other race below.
Morphettville Racing Tips
R1 - Star Sealer
R2 - Beautiful Flyer / Miss Adele EW
R3 - Undoubtable Miss
R4 - Yulong Yongxing / So You Too EW
R5 - Labuan Star
R6 - Lyuba
R7 - Annus Mirabilis (preview below)
R8 - Burning Front
R9 - Optimize / Jealous Rumour EW
UBET Adelaide Cup 3200m - Group 2
19 runners in the field for the Adelaide Cup and while it's a big field it's a relatively thin field in my opinion.
Similar to the Melbourne Cup, it's important to find those runners which will run the distance and eliminate the others. Often we see horses in great form over the middle distance races but struggle to carry that into a 3200m race.
MASTER OF ARTS is favourite for Darren Weir after winning last start over 2600m at the track in Group 3 company. He really took a long time to reel in the 2nd horse that day which suggests the step up to 3200m should be within his reach. Draws perfectly and has the best jockey in the race on board in Damian Lane. We saw this combo win a Group 1 on the weekend and they could well back it up here.At the price however, I'll be taking him on due to question marks over the strength of the race last start and his slight query at the distance.
CHANCE TO DANCE is the class runner in the field and carries 58kg because of it. He's racing consistently well this prep but has been a little bit more dour in his races which suggests he may be looking for distance. Won two starts ago over 2400m before running 2nd to Northwest Passage over 2500m last start. Would have wanted him to be winning that under the circumstances in order to confidently back him stepping up to 3200m here, but he does draw well and has definite winning claims.
The horse I'm keen to back is ANNUS MIRABILIS, who we backed last start when it's fair to say he was slaughtered by Regan Bayliss. He had a dream run throughout the race until just before the home turn, when Bayliss opted not the peel out and instead got snookered in behind tiring horses. I thought he hit the line relatively well once clear and I don't have any questions over the 3200m for him. He bolted in during the Spring over 2800m at Flemington. Draws well here in 7, should get a great run forward of midfield and be hitting the line strong.
The horse to keep an eye on today and going forward is DARABAD who makes his Australian debut for Robbie Lang first up from a spell over 3200m! Won over 2400m in France before failing in Group 2 company last time we saw him. Has only had the 7 starts so he is very unexposed which makes him hard to line up in this field. $17, wouldn't leave him out.
PUCCINI, DE LITTLE ENGINE, KAWABATA are others to consider, while the blowout could be HONEY STEEL'S GOLD.
Tip: Annus Mirabilis
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!