Selections:
#1 - Nature Strip - $5.50
#10 - Giga Kick - $4.60
#2 - Lost And Running (ROUGHIE OF THE DAY) - $16.00
#3 - Private Eye - $8.00
BEST BET - #1 - Nature Strip
I might regret tipping Nature Strip who is aging but I think that as he is ageing he needs a bit of give in the track to run at his best. He should get that here tomorrow and I think that we are all well aware of just how good he is in Grand Final races. I think that there must have been issues in his resuming race in the Lightning, perhaps the ground had too much sting in it. He’s won this race the past three years and I think there’s about a 40% chance he breaks the record to make it four in a row.
THE DANGER - #10 - Giga Kick
Zac Purton was outstanding last week, riding two from two to kick off his stint here in Australia and it’s no surprise he takes the riding on what looks to be the next generation best sprinter in the country and maybe even the world. If he wins this, he takes that title. He knocked off Nature Strip last year in the Everest and on resumption in The Challenge he clocked in some of the best late splits you’ve ever seen. I think he will take a serious beating.
VALUE BET - #2 - Lost And Running
Nothing has gone well for Lost And Running in the last six months. He was scratched leading into the Everest and then recently was scratched again in the lead-up to his first run back in The Galaxy two weeks ago. He has trialled really super for his return and is a horse I have a lot of love for. I think if he can cross from the wide gate he can go close.