SENTrack: Andrew O’Toole’s Saturday best bets at Alice Springs (22/03)

The second day of the Ladbrokes Alice Springs Cup Carnival is Ladies Day, and a tremendous eight-race card has been assembled for today, with some 76 acceptors and a number of feature races, headlined by the $50,000 Lasseters NT Guineas for the 3yos. After looking like it would be a small field, the Guineas has attracted a competitive nine-horse line-up, with a number of chances and different formlines to consider.

The Guineas over 1600m brings together five winners and four maidens, but that doesn’t make it any easier to work out the likely scenario. Two of the combatants, Grinzinger Lass and Vanguard Legend, are last-start winners in the Red Centre and Top End respectively, and both must be considered here.

I have plumped for Grinzinger Lass, trained by Ray Viney and to be ridden by Brendon Newport, due to the filly’s most impressive win in the 1400m lead-up a fortnight ago. On that occasion, the daughter of Shalaa raced back in the field but stormed home along the inside rail to win going away by 2.5 lengths from King Bling, with Snore Room a good third.

That was Grinzinger Lass’ second start in Alice Springs and followed a similar good performance when finishing second to Boom Boom Smash, beaten less than a half-length, over 1200m on 22 February. She obviously relished the extra trip last time out and judged on the way she ran right through the line over the 1400m, the additional 200m here looks well within her reach.

Point Loma, trained in Darwin by Ella Clarke, missed that lead-up run a fortnight ago due to a mishap, and has since trialled here earlier this week. He went two decent races in the Top End before making his way to Alice – finishing fourth behind Dancer For Money first-up, before a solid second over 1200m behind Cherry Stem on 25 January. That missed run will not have helped his chances, but his trainer will have done everything in her power to have him ready for this 1600m and he is a previous winner over 1300m at Armidale before coming to the Territory.

Snore Room, purchased from last year’s Darwin Magic Millions Tried Horse Sale, went some decent races in Adelaide for Kym Healy before finishing third to Grinzinger Lass and King Bling at his first Alice outing. He should be improved for that run, his first since 23 November, and although taking on this trip for the first time, should go a bold race.

Vanguard Legend hit the line solidly when winning in Darwin over 1200m on 21 February. That was his first start on the sand and oil-based track and he impressed when downing Merchant Delight and King Waldo in a driving finish. Raymond Vigar was aboard that day and keeps the ride here for Chloe Baxter – he is a definite chance.

King Bling has had the two outings in Alice for Greg Connor, and both have been full of merit. The son of Super Seth, who is making such an impact at stud and recently sired his first Group I winner, was strong behind Grinzinger Lass over 1400m and seems certain to get the extra trip here. Boom Boom Smash won well two starts back, beating Grinzinger Lass, over 1200m on 22 February then had to be content with fourth behind the same horse a fortnight ago. The son of Brave Smash is another who should be suited over the distance and adds to the puzzle.

Kerry Petrick has the other three runners – Buckleup Buddy, The Accelator and The Men Went Home – and that Paul Denton, who has had such an association with the stable over well over 25 years, has elected to ride the latter, the son of O’Lonhro must be considered. Indeed, Petrick is a master trainer so none of her trio can be left out of calculations.

The day’s other feature is the $31,000 The Soldier Lightning over 1000m, and the return to racing of Dakota Lee, who is unbeaten in ten starts in the Red Centre, will be eagerly anticipated. Terry Gillett’s flying machine has not started since late June last year, but she has trialled up well for this assignment and such is her record, she cannot be left out, even from the outside barrier of ten.

Stablemate Ideas Man, fresh-up, Darwin speedster Doc O’Connor, Neil Dyer’s Rustic Boom, two-time Palmerston winner Early Crow and last week’s impressive lower grade performer Chief White Sock must all have chances in an even contest.

The $28,600 Hardy Fencing Handicap completes the open grade races, and it was hard not to be impressed with the win of 2023 AS Cup winner Write Your Name, who showed he still had what it takes when scoring over 1600m here a week ago. Two years ago, Dick Leech’s star won this race by four lengths before going on to win the Cup in the hands of Jade Hampson, and of course he repeated the dose in the Darwin Cup for Paul Shiers a few months later.

He is obviously in a good place at present and looks the horse to beat here, with just 3kg above the minimum weight. Vinnie’s Spirit appears his chief rival, while He’s Maverick, Figo The Great, Esskay and Unquestionably are others with prospects.

The weather in the Red Centre has at last showed some pity on the participants, with a cool change coming through this week and even some rain forecast for the coming days. The official forecast for today reads: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds easterly 15 to 20 km/h tending south easterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. The temperature is forecast to reach a far more palatable 34 degrees during the day (a far cry from the 40+ temperatures experienced for weeks now) with an overnight low of 23 degrees, while there is a 50% chance of 0-5mm of rain.

The first on the seven-race card gets underway at 1.24pm (NT time), which is 2.54pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 5.43pm (NT time), or 7.13pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R1 No 1 BEYOND READY
Has come back this campaign looking to pick up where he left off last season. First-up fifth was followed by a fine second, beaten just a half-length by the in-form Delago Lad, and he should be ready now to put his best foot forward. This 1200m 0-70 looks tailor-made for him, and the 2kg claim for Hannah Le Blanc brings him in nicely at 59kg, only 2.5kg above the minimum. Smart sprinter who raced well at this time last year and can return to winning form in the day’s opener.

R5 # 1 WRITE YOUR NAME
The 2023 Alice Springs and Darwin Cup winner showed he still had something left to offer with a solid win in the St Pat’s Cup over 1600m here a week ago. Backing up is a bit of a question mark for the 9yo son of Written Tycoon, but trainer Dick Leech knows him well and wouldn’t be lining him up if he had any concerns. The trip of 1900m will be to his liking and he won this race by four lengths en route to his AS Cup win two years ago. Only 2kg above the minimum and looks the one to beat again.

R6 No 1 FAITHFUL CHAMPION
After winning second-up here four starts back, took three further starts to show that form again, but his last-start second behind Isolyfe here a fortnight ago was a vastly improved effort. Raced up on the pace and seems certain to do so again from a middle barrier. Stan Tsaikos stays aboard for leading trainer Terry Gillett and takes on a few rivals here who went around last week. Should give a good account of himself.

SELECTIONS

RACE 1 – 1, 9, 7, 2
RACE 2 – 1, 6, 2, 11
RACE 3 – 3, 4, 1, 5
RACE 4 – 1, 2, 5, 6
RACE 5 – 1, 2, 4, 7
RACE 6 – 1, 6, 7, 2
RACE 7 – 6, 4, 5, 2
RACE 8 – 9, 4, 5, 8

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