The Mail for Saturday

3 minute read

Houston Benefactor certainly has the potential to win good races

SR 2: (8) HOUSTON BENEFACTOR - Promising filly takes a step up from her first-up win at Canterbury and while meeting some promising types she certainly has the potential to win good races. She has been a problem for her stable but there was a lot to like about the way she overcame a slow start to win with authority at Canterbury. She will definitely be suited by this bigger track and step up to 1400m and appeals as a good value chance in what should prove an excellent form race.

SR 4: (5) AKINOSHIRABE - The Patinack team look to have secured a talented prospect in this interesting import who certainly has shown the talent to win races in Australia in just two Sydney starts at Rosehill. The 4YO daughter of Shamardal stepped up from 1400m to 1800m on August 13 and her run was excellent to finish a close fifth in a blanket finish behind Foreteller. She won twice over 2000m from just four starts in the UK and looks nicely placed in this company to go close to recording her first Australian win with her obvious scope for improvement.

SR 6: (7) THE VERMINATOR - This honest performer looks one of Chris Waller's better chance on this quality program after his close third to stablemate Foreteller over this same 1800m course two weeks ago. That was his first start in a month after his Grafton Cup fourth and his record shows he is a much better horse at home. Looked unlucky last start when he was tightened when finishing on the slower inside section of the track and this time is drawn to find what should be the best section of the track.

ONES TO AVOID

SR 5: (8) KARUTA QUEEN - She's a good filly but she's is also a one dimensional speed runner and will be an easy target for the high class colts she meets in this field. This is one of the best early season 3yo races you will see.

MR 4: (3) DO YOU THINK - Not sure of his fitness levels but he looks the best horse in this race. Getting the experience around Caulfield will come in very handy mid October when the Guineas is due to be run. From a lovely barrier he seems likely to race just off the pace and if he gets the right gaps when needed, that class edge can come to fruition. Be good to see those famous colours back again.

MR 6: (6) RED COLOSSUS - With the rail out from the 1400m start, you might want to be saving ground. For that reason going to give the son of Testa Rossa an each way chance to win at WFA. Only had two runs last prep but the win first up in the Victoria Hcp was excellent. While he will need more ground in time, he should be in front of the stayers and has enough ping in his legs to run them down. You might think that they've targeted a race like this early with a view to catching perhaps stronger horses on the hop. Both totes for him.

ONES TO AVOID

MR 5: (6) TESTASCANA - Once again we are taking a risk laying a Peter Moody runner but we were on the right side of the luck last week. With the rail out, from this start, he will have to work a fair bit to get over into his normal pattern which has served him well last few. This is the hardest race he has contested and while striking it in great form, has to keep going against decent horses over longer than he has raced at.

DOOMBEN - tips by Wayne Bristow

BR 4: (1) SHAMARDASHING - Thriving now over the right distance being out of the Caulfield Cup placegetter Beaux Art. He'll need luck from the barrier with the weight increase but might just be too good for these. Hasn't been over-raced having 18 starts only as a 5yo. Stable, owner and jockey are having a good trot.

BR 6: (1) BEETHOG - This mare looks to have a big class edge in a race restricted to all the girls. After the claim she is so well in and assuming she finds a good spot just on the speed, that she is right up to this field. Winning Listed Races is far beyond the rest of these gals. Only danger could be the 1010m but more than capable of overcoming.

ONES TO AVOID

BR 8: (2) SEVENTH HEART - Meets a No Metro Win field with most of the chances around her all claiming away from him. Was right in the market last time and yet heads to a distance at which he has never won at - in fact rarely raced over. Just wondering where he might get to in the run as well from the tricky barrier.

MORPHETTVILLE - tips by Wayne Bristow

AR 2: (7) PERFECT PUNCH - Was right in the market on debut here when placed in a good quality 3yo race. The winner of that race Niconoise nearly ran as the favourite in the Listed McKenzie Stks at Moonee Valley last week. He carries much less here and if the kid can just keep him clear (which the barrier should allow), he might run over them.

AR 4: (5) MORE ALLURING - Went very well indeed coming from last at Gawler over six furlongs on debut. That suggests decent fitness and stepping up in trip here should only help, being by More Than Ready who has produced classic winners out of Eureka Jewel who was runner up in an AJC Oaks. Getting to carry only 52kg is also a benefit.

ONES TO AVOID

AR 8: (3) RAKI - Probably runs as a popular horse with punters after back to back wins at Balaklava. This is a step up and takes on some other in form runners having to give them weights. It's too competitive a race to be taking too short a price about him.