Opposition could shipwreck on Rocky Coast
PUNTERS face a seriously tricky card on the Greyville turf today and rain over the weekend could add to their puzzle although the forecast is not that gloomy.
The is an old saying in racing, “when in doubt back the top weight”.
In today’s case that can be altered to “back the best jockeys”.
Champion jockey Anthony Delpech is streets ahead on the current national jockey log and a second successive title is all but in the bag, even with four months of the season left to run, while former champion Anton Marcus is more selective with his rides but still has a winning strike rate of over 26%. Both have some decent rides tomorrow and should pay to follow.
Delpech seldom rides for the relatively small yard of Karen and Greg Anthony so when he gets a call-up note.
At decidedly long odds for a Delpech ride, Eastbrook only found one too good on debut and he can build on that race when he lines up in the opening race.
Showing good pace throughout on his Scottsville appearance, Eastbrook ran out of petrol over the final furlong to finish second to Across Seattle. it’s best to take
Eastbrook
Still on the turf and from a good draw, Eastbrook is 16-10 favourite in the ante-post market, drifting from an opening call of 14-10 under pressure for money for Frank Robinson’s charge Rocky Coast.
A close-up third on debut, his odds have been slashed from 5-1 to 5-2 second favourite while Anza-borrego has also been nibbled at in from 9’s to 7’s.
Robinson could be looking for a quick double as Watchmego is vying for favouritism with To Woo in the second, the pair finishing within a length of each other last time out and bracketed on 5-2.
Delpech replaced apprentice Aston Arries on To Woo and the pair can break their run of seconds. All three of the filly’s starts have been in the soft, but judging by the weather forecast, she may be confronted by similar conditions today.
Tombola and Oratoria have shown promise and are obvious dangers while Petra, who showed up well in her barrier trial, has found some market support and is one to keep an eye on.
Bravo Zulu
Bravo Zulu has been costly to follow and you desert at your peril.
However, he has had many chances and the lightly raced Sand Path could prove his nemesis in the opening leg of the Pick 6. Sand Path (16-10) has placed in both starts to date, his last outing coming three months after a smart debut effort and with Anton Marcus aboard he could prove the better choice although Bravo Zulu is a must inclusion in all Pick 6 perms. That said, there has been plenty of support for the Alyson Wrighttrained Good Lord Padmore who has shown some ability in two barrier trials but has been supported from 15-1 and was 81 at time of writing.
There is no hiding class, even in a barrier trial, and little can be read into Saratoga Dancer’s trial romp as he makes his way into Champions Season. His nine-length ‘winning’ margin against a bunch of maidens was to be expected but the Wright-trained Roy’s Stingray was best of the trailing trialists and judged on her opening salvo in October last year when beaten less than a length, she is a filly with ability. Irish Flame and Lilibet, blinkers removed, could prove dangerous.
Amazon King has shown some improvement since being sent over a little more ground but he did not take well to the poly track last time out and was one-paced behind Varallo.
He shoulders top weight today but is down in class.
He has Marcus to help him along and is back on the green stuff which could see him back in the winner’s enclosure for Duncan Howells whose stable is starting to turn nicely.