Tips for Karrakatta Day - 31st March

Matt Rigby | Metropolitan Racing | Fri 30 March, 2012

Race 1:

Rafferty looks to have his name all over this race. He's classes above these and the next best, Dante's Alert, has a big question mark over his manners after bucking throughout in the Pinjarra Classic last week. The only issue here is that there is no pace. I expect Nellie Got There and Delta Bay to be up the front but if Rafferty is anywhere near close to the lead, he'll simply outsprint them. Mickey Drippin was a fair run last week and will be looking for this, or even further now. Our Larrikin was better last start, but couldn't tip him even though he's from the Erkelens camp. Rafferty, Dante's Alert, Mickey Drippin.

No Bet.

Race 2:

The provincial performers are going to be the fancied ones in this race. Be So Ryski has been impressive this campaign, winning her three starts. She seems to be getting better aswell. Platinum Rocker will be respected from the Miller stable and won well enough last start but beat nothing. Straleta over raced, costing herself all chance and when she flattened out, she didnt have much in reserve. Harvey might be forced to go to the breeze, or even lead here, like he did when she won the start before last. Mavromata will want to kick up and lead but Ill be knocking him first up even though he might get it easy in front. Pearlesque and Endless Time can improve here. Be So Ryski, Platinum Rocker, Mavromata.

No Bet.

Race 3:

Maschino is classes above this lot on his day, but unfortunately, he hasnt had that day this campaign. First up he was outgunned by much better sprinters, then ran fair races in the Bunbury Stakes and Pinjarra Classic. Still, that form, less than two lengths behind good hroses, should have him right in this race. The barrier is problematic. He only battled when ridden just behind the speed last start and drawn the 3, might have to go back and ride for luck. Keshaar is going woefully, but has never had blinkers on in his life. He might go forward and surprise. Chester Road disappointed last start, but that was a funny race. Having said that, he disappointed first up aswell. Proud Hero also has a task drawn the 1. He'll probably be back on the fence and looking for runs. The two faves could get rolled here, but by what? Maschino, Proud Hero, Keshaar.

Suggested Bet: Spec on Keshaar at $31 with blinkers added.

Race 4:

There's a bit of pace in this race thanks to Even Astar and Pillow Time. The former went ordinary early in her last campaign and I'd need to see her here. Pillow Time will apply the acid if she decides to lead. Elyssa Grace trialed well but is off a long spell due to injury. She was lucky in a few of her wins in 2010 and I'll be taking her on. The two that rightfully dominate the market are Rose and Resetgold. Rose has been impressive at her two runs back from injury. She does have a tendency to be slow away however and the barrier will not help her here. Resetgold has gone back at most of her starts too, but has generally drawn wide. I'd expect Brown to have her midfield at worst to try and get a break on Rose. I think she can win. Resetgold, Rose, Pillowtime.

Suggested Bet: Resetgold each way at $3.80.

Race 5:

The race of the day! Most of the chances in this met in the WATC stakes a few weeks back. Latoria led on that day and faded to be well beaten but she will be fitter for that run. A slight query at the 1200m but I think she is a strong mare. All Friared Up will finally get her chance, back to 1200m after falling short at her last four! Parnham did get flushed out a little early and she was unbalanced on the turn before finishing off well in the WATC. Power Princess made a great return behind Werd, over racing and then having to come off heels before going down narrowly. Kid Choisir and Mabel Grace also good chances at odds. Sir Hallowell cant win and Werd may have to sit in the breeze with 59kg, at his limit of 1200m. He'll find it tough. Latoria, Power Princess, All Friared Up. Don't leave Mabel Grace or Kid Choisir out of your quaddies.

No bet, happy to watch!

Race 6:

The Oaks is a good race barring one thing, theres no pace. For this reason I think you'll find its a strangely run race and whatever happens, you'll find them taking off early and it will be very tactical. Caiguna should turn it into a staying test, because if she does, she's probably the best stayer. Pop Culture couldnt quite get her last time out and i think the extra 200m suits Caiguna more. The chance to upset is Elite Belle. I dont believe riding her that close suited her and the previous run was massive. Going back here could be futile however and will depend on getting onto the back of the moving line, when they make their moves. Caiguna, Elite Belle, Pop Culture.

Suggested Bet: Elite Belle is the overs at $7, but bet with caution.

Race 7:

Rohan will be all the rage here and his win was exceptional after doing plenty wrong. He hung on the bend and then lay in most of the straight, still winnning after a sustained run. Field Officer keeps getting under rated and is a big chance again in this. He and Rohan cleared out from the rest of the field in the Roberts. The one I like is Drive West. We tipped him at 100/1 when he beat Goose and we'll tip him again here with some confidence. That day, they went hard and he chased and ground the older horses down. Last week was a great return at an unsuitable distance. The $13 is well over the odds. Rock Band was a huge run in the Roberts, wide no cover and not shirking the issue late. Pike is struck with the same dilemma this week however, forward or back? Drive West, Rohan, Flag Officer.

Suggested Bet: Drive West each way at double figures.

Race 8:

The Karrakatta looks a good race with some speedy runners through the likes of El Rijes, Darlington Abbey, Miami Horror and Detection. Given Miami Horror's failure last start at 1100m, I dont think they'll be that keen to hold out the comers. This will leave El Rijes or Darlington Abbey to take the front and Detection should work to the breeze from wide. The latter has his third run in three weeks, too much for a two year old I fear. Luke's Luck, Miss Solis and Keeper Quiet are probably going to have to go back. Miss Solis would have been the favouite had she drawn anywhere in side 10. Jumping from the outside makes it really tough for Carbery, but he does ride like a genius for this stable. Wide with Cover and not too far back, would see her right in the finish. Darlington Abbey has to be the one but I'll be taking her on at the price. Too many things can happen with these two year olds! Looking Ahead is the smokey. It was a huge run last time out, Harvey having to snag her back 3 and 4 wide before running on and peaking on her run. The barrier helps here and O'Donnell is taking his first ride on her. Darlington Abbey, Miss Solis, Looking Ahead.

No bet.

Race 9:

Its a tough race to finish on but I like a few at odds. Vermeer will be the favourite again and was unlucky for the second run in a row last time, sitting wide no cover. Pike has chosen to ride Novarese for his old boss Jack Cockell. Last time the gelding won, he jumped off The Underworld to ride, and got the money. He has left Stormy Prince here, which I give a great chance at double figures. Stompin will go foward again and Red Mercedes will probably be wide again after a huge run last time out. Capricious Lad and Black Blast had the world perfect runs for their last start wins. They wont get them here. Novarese, Stormy Prince, Vermeer.

Suggested bet: Back both Novarese at $15 and Stormy Prince at $10. Both great value.