SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Alice Springs (23/11)

A tremendous six-race card comes up for decision at Ladbrokes Pioneer Park, Alice Springs, today, when in excess of 50 horses are expected to compete. The Benchmark 54 1100m attracted some 22 nominations and no less than 21 horses accepted, hence the event was divided to provide the sixth race and give the majority of horses seeking a start the opportunity to compete. There will be ten riders in attendance at the fixture.

The highest-graded race of the day is the fifth on the card, the Ladbrokes Form Genius Handicap, and a field of eight will contest the Average Benchmark 1400m. It is a competitive line-up too, with leading trainer Terry Gillett represented by three runners, including the very much in-form Hurn Court. The 7yo son of Outreach has had just the five starts in the Red Centre, but has yet to miss a place, with a win, three seconds and a third his record in the Alice to date. His last-start second behind the smart O’Tycoon was full of merit, although beaten some four and a-half lengths, and he steps up in trip here from the 1100m.

While he has yet to win at the journey, Hurn Court has placed twice second from six attempts and is a previous winner over 1300m. With Stan Tsaikos serving a suspension, comeback jockey Raymond Vigar, who has enjoyed plenty of success with the Gillett stable over the years, will take the mount and from a handy barrier of four, he should be prominent for a long way.

Hardest for Hurn Court to beat looks like being Princess Pancakes, another most consistent galloper who was a deserving last-start winner here on 2 November. That effort was over this same trip as today, and the 6yo daughter of Rebel Dane has won four times over 1400m and been placed on a further five occasions from just 11 attempts at the distance. Paul Denton, who has formed a great association with the Kerry Petrick-trained galloper, retains the mount.

Topweight Flying Start will receive a 2kg weight relief with apprentice Lek Maloney engaged, and he is another with solid formlines to recommend. Trained by Greg Connor, Flying Start, now a 6yo, has returned to something like his best in recent times, including a win here back in August defeating Red Wraith and Supreme Times. He has not been far away in four subsequent outings, with his most recent effort a good second behind Princess Pancakes over this trip on 2 November. He has drawn a little awkwardly in barrier 6, but he normally gets back in his races and can produce a powerful finish.

Darci Diva, third in the same race behind Princess Pancakes and Flying Start last time out, also makes appeal, while Fantasy Eagle, Duty, Kangaroo Court and Tintern Power complete the line-up and all have claims on their best form.

The sub-feature on the day is the first, the PFD Food Services Handicap for the Benchmark 76 sprinters over 1200m. O’Tycoon looks the testing material, judged on his impressive last-start win here a fortnight ago. The son of Written Tycoon looks to have plenty of upside, and Sonja Logan will again be aboard for trainer Lisa Whittle.

The Gillett stablemates Brat, fresh-up Great Buy and Ornamental Lady will provide stiff opposition for O’Tycoon, while Flying Yishu, seeking his third successive win, is also right in the mix in another good-quality event.

The weather in the Red Centre has been fine this week, and things looks fairly settled for Saturday, with a possible shower about. The official forecast reads: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Winds east to north-easterly 15 to 20 km/h tending north to north-easterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning then shifting south to south-westerly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon. The temperature is forecast to reach 38 degrees during the day, with an overnight low of 25 degrees, while there is a 40% chance of 0-3mm of rain.

BEST BETS

R1 # 3 O’TYCOON
Far too good when last produced here, winning his first race in the Red Centre after two eye-catching previous attempts. Former Sydney galloper now in the stable of Lisa Whittle and judged on his latest effort, there will be plenty more in store for the son of Written Tycoon. Up in grade here but down significantly in weight, he looks set to continue his winning ways from an ideal inside barrier.

R3 # 4 ARROGANT MISS
8yo daughter of Puissance De Lune, but racing as well as ever. Has chased home the promising Chief White Sock at her last two outings, and appears well placed here in this Benchmark 54 1100m. Four times a winner at the trip, and has eight career victories to her credit. Sonja Logan, who has been aboard at her last two starts, retains the mount and she should give a great sight in an even contest.

R5 # 2 HURN COURT
Has not been out of the first three in five Red Centre starts to date, and should again prove hard to beat. Gets the services of Raymond Vigar, who was back in winning form a week ago and is a strong rider which this son of Outreach appears to relish. Drawn nicely in barrier four and should be prominent for a long way in the feature event of the day.

SELECTIONS

RACE 1 – 3, 4, 2, 1
RACE 2 – 12, 1, 9, 2
RACE 3 – 4, 1, 3, 2
RACE 4 – 3, 2, 4, 8
RACE 5 – 2, 3, 1, 5
RACE 6 – 2, 1, 3, 7

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