There’s some quality racing spread out across the country today with the Group 1 SA Derby in Adelaide and the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast the highlights of the day.
There is a strong stand alone meeting at Gosford for their cup day and the running of the inaugural $500,000 ‘The Coast’ alongside a good Caulfield meeting with some very interesting runners returning to the track today.
Billy Bestford has done the form throughout the day and has narrowed down his best bets of what looks a huge day of racing around the country.
Horse Racing Tips: Saturday, May 8th
Morphetville Race 2
Thought that (10) Biscayne Bay could turn the tables on Three Kings here. Finally draws a barrier and finds Oliver who should be able to get this horse in a prominent position in the run. Was a huge run last start from the widest gate and that should do him a world of good. Will be ready to peak here and looks progressive. (1) Three Kings looks smart and was a good winner when just beating Biscayne Bay last start. Expecting the winner to come from one of these two.
Caulfield Race 2
Struggling to see how they beat (10) Excelman here. He was huge last start getting well back and wide with a big weight before running on very well and narrowly missing. Gets out to 2000m now, drops massively in the weights and gets Kah on board from a low draw. This is tougher than he has faced recently but there is plenty in his favour today and he will be ready to peak now.
Gosford Race 9
All eyes will be on (1) April Rain here who makes her return to the track following an unbeaten prep last time in work. Clearly will go on to tackle much stronger races than she faces today and I think the $2.60+ on offer at the moment is more than fair. Will have to carry 60kg on what will probably be a pretty wet track by this stage of the day but she has the ability to do it. Berry to ride and looks a nice way to round out the day at Gosford.
Gold Coast Race 7
Good race this Gold Coast Guineas with runners coming from all parts of the country. The track conditions will play a massive part in who wins and who I will be putting on top. Currently a Heavy 9 but dry weather predicted may see a slight upgrade by race time. If it stays heavy I will be keen to back (3) Simply Fly even though this horse has many an issue. Bucked the rider off last start but was flying before that and is a deadset swimmer. If he can put it all together on race day he will be hard to hold out. (2) Rocketing By is a massive chance, especially on a drying track. Has been winning strong races down in Sydney and form stacks up for a race like this. Find Jmac and will give it a shake.
Also backing: (2) Rocketing By
Gold Coast Race 8
Going to give my old mate (2) Avilius one more chance here as he looks for his first win in a very long time. Will be getting back and running on like usual but has had a nice little freshen up and gets out to a longer trip for the first time this prep. Easily brings the best formlines into this and will handle all track conditions. Today could be his day.
