RACE 1 – bet365 MAIDEN PLATE (12.55PM)
(4) TIKKEN is the rookie of the field with only two career starts, but he has displayed talent so far with a debut fourth placing at Hamilton and then made up ground again at his second start at Seymour to finish fifth on October 13. Will have derived plenty of benefit with improved fitness and education and is drawn to settle just off the speed and look for him to be finishing off strongly as the extra 100-metres on his last start will be more suitable tomorrow.
(3) MONTANA STATE is a South Australian visitor who has been placed twice from 11 career starts. Has been racing against better maiden class races at Morphettville including a recent fifth placing behind the handy Overstated in a $50,000 race on September 21. Finds a suitable race to be able to find winning form.
(1) AFRICARN LAD tried hard when leading at Murray Bridge at his previous campaign last May to finish fourth behind Trumpty Dumpty. Has had two runs back from a spell and showed improvement last time when fifth at Gawler after making a run from well back in the field. Will appreciate the 3kg claim for SA apprentice Polly Brewster and will carry 56.5kgs. Can be placed in this line-up.
(6) PAULSIN was placed third at this track four starts ago and then finished in the same position at Balranald on October 26 so she has better recent form than most of her opposition, but has not won a race in 27 career starts so a place looks best option again tomorrow.
RACE 2- TRENTHAM ESTATE MAIDEN PLATE (1.40pm)
(3) I’M BATMAN is from the Swan Hill stable of Helen Burns who made his debut at Swan Hill to finish fourth on October 29 after making up plenty of ground over the concluding stages. Was specked in the betting from $51 into $26 so there was some confidence at his debut run. Will be further improved with the run under his belt, as well as taking on Non-Tab class racing. Is taking on the older horses, but finds a winnable race.
(1) HOUSE OF ROCK is a four-year-old by the sire Stryker out of the dam House Of Stars and will be making his racetrack debut at the age of four-years-old so has taken time to make it to the track so he could have shown ability so far. Any betting moves will be a significant factor to his winning chances.
(2) THE BIG WHEEL is also making his race track debut for Bordertown trainer Scott Irlam and is also a late starter at four-years-old. This is not a strong race to make his debut so if he is ready he can be prominent in the finish.
(5) FUNNY FEELING is yet to place in her six career starts, but has two fourth placings at Wagga and Corowa as well as a last start fifth at Leeton so has been close up in recent outings in the Riverina. Finds a more suitable race here so should be included in the multiple forms of betting.
RACE 3 – MILDURA CRUISES HANDICAP (2.20pm)
(1) KOVA is from the in-form Strathalbyn stable of Shayne and Chelsea Cahill who has consistent form including a comfortable win at Warracknabeal in August and then won at the Mildura track two starts ago after coming from well back in the field for an impressive victory. Pay to overlook her latest outing when down the track at Morphettville in a stronger line up than she meets tomorrow so can continue her winning form.
(2) LANCELOTTO has been racing well on dirt surfaces and will be hard to beat here if can take his form onto the grass track tomorrow. Was successful in winning at Roxby Downs and Port Augusta during August and September and was not far away at his latest outing at Balaklava. Has four wins and eight placings from 25 starts so he can continue his consistent form at his first run on the Mildura track.
(4) VAMPIRE SLAYER is resuming from a spell as was sent to the paddock after her previous campaign which included back-to-back third placings at Gawler and Clare late last year. Has raced well when fresh in the past with a win and two placings from six starts so should be ready to run a forward race again.
(7) MAGIC DELTA has been racing against better opposition at her previous campaign and is the highest race winner in the field with five career wins so must also be considered a winning chance.
RACE 4 – RIVER END HOLIDAY PARK HANDICAP (3.20pm)
(2) MR JONES is from the in-form Stephen Theodore stable at Murray Bridge who was placed at Quorn and Port Augusta on dirt tracks prior to leading throughout at Halidon to win on September 15. Has finished down the track at his past two starts at Gawler and Strathalbyn, but pay to overlook those two efforts and go on his previous victory as this is an easier assignment and he will give his rivals something to chase.
(4) PINCHBECK has only the one career win in 19 starts, but he is never far away in his races including a second placing at Halidon on September 15 behind the winner Alaskan Storm who has further enhanced the form with a Penola win and will be a winning chance in the Mallee Cup on this program tomorrow. Drawn well in barrier two so should get a good run throughout and will be running on strongly at the finish.
(1) FROWNED is a three race winner who is racing below his best form, but is dropping back in class on his recent outings and will not get a better opportunity to figure prominently in the finish and is at least a place chance.
(3) DUBAI NIGHTS has had one run back from a spell when sixth at Balaklava last month in a stronger race than he meets here tomorrow. Will be fitter for the outing and has raced well when second up from a spell in the past so he is also a winning hope in a race with many chances.
RACE 5 – SUNRAYSIA DAILY MALLEE CUP (4pm)
(6) PUISSANCE DUSOLEIL looks well suited in this race at her first run back from a spell as she raced consistently at her previous campaign with a win at Gawler in February and seven placings from 14 outings. Has had one start at the Mildura circuit when raced on the speed to finish second behind Zambezi Khan on April 22. Finished third at Oakbank in a Benchmark 72 race behind Badonkidonk three starts ago so if she can put in a repeat performance will be hard to beat tomorrow. Trainer Michael McCleary sent her for a spell over the winter months due to her not liking wet tracks so she finds a suitable race on a good surface at her resumption. Look for her to be running on strongly in the home straight and has the ability to win the Mallee Cup.
(2) KAYSERI won last year’s Mallee Cup and is returning to try and defend his title. Is the highest race winner in the feature event with nine career wins and his fast finishing pattern of racing is suited to the Mildura circuit. Has contested stronger class races at his previous preparation so will be a leading contender once again. Has had one run back from a spell with a third placing at Strathalbyn behind the in-form Dawnburst after coming from 10th in the field at the 400-metre mark to feature in the placings. Will be further improved with one run back from a spell and will go close to recording successive Mallee Cup victories
(8) ALASKAN STORM has found winning form for local trainer Raharna McDonald with a Halidon victory over Pinchbeck who is running in the race prior so the form out of the race could be improved following race four on the program. The mare is coming off a last start win at Penola after coming from well back in the field so a repeat performance can give the locals something to cheer about at the finish.
(3) SHAL EXCEED is from the Con Kelly stable at Swan Hill who has not been far away in recent outings including a last start third at Avoca on October 19 in a similar class race than he meets tomorrow at Mildura. Will appreciate the extra 100-metres to the 1400m journey and can be placed again.
RACE 6 – MILDURA MOTOR HOLDINGS HANDICAP (4.45pm)
(2) SHEARMAN DYER is another stable runner at the meeting for trainer Paula Trenwith who is a leading contender in the final race on the program. Recorded a smart win at Murray Bridge when started the favoured runner on August 14. Has been competing in metropolitan class races at Morphettville including finishing fifth beaten 1.9-lengths in a one metro win event on October 26. Dolcemente won the race and has further enhanced the form by winning at Morphettville on Saturday. He is facing a big drop back in class and gets in well at the weights to carry 60kgs after the 3kg claim for SA apprentice Polly Brewster.
(5) PUISSY GALORE is a relative newcomer to the local stable of Cindy Brander after being transferred from South Australia. Proved she is going to be well suited to racing in the northern region of the state after a fast finishing second at her first run for the Brander stable at Manangatang on October 12. Was held up for a run for a short distance rounding the home turn so she should have finished closer to the winner Tavistock Dancer. Will be further improved this time and finds a winnable race as she aims to bring up her second career win.
(1) MERCURY FLYER will also be a winning chance after coming off a second placing at Manangatang and a Gawler win during October. He raced on the speed at Gawler and proved too classy to win in a thrilling finish. Will also get weight relief to carry 60kgs after the claim with Mornington based apprentice Makisha Salter, who has been a recent competitor at meetings in the northern region and can be rewarded with a win here tomorrow.
(8) CHANTISS is a South Australian galloper who has been racing well in this class of race including running third at Port Lincoln two starts ago. Can be placed again tomorrow.
SELECTIONS
MELBOURNE CUP DAY IN MILDURA
1: (4) Tikken, (3) Montana State, (1) Africarn Lad, (6) Paulsin
2: (3) I’m Batman, (1) House Of Rock, (2) The Big Wheel, (5) Funny Feeling
3: (1) Kova, (2) Lancelotto, (4) Vampire Slayer, (7) Magic Delta
4: (2) Mr Jones, (4) Pinchbeck, (1) Frowned, (3) Dubai Nights
5: (6) Puissance Dusoleil, (2) Kayseri, (8) Alaskan Storm, (3) Shal Exceed
6: (2) Shearman Dyer, (5) Puissy Galore, (1) Mercury Flyer, (8) Chantiss
WENTWORTH CUP TIPS
Race 4: (1) Wild Imagination, (2) Our Destrier, (3) Flight Deck, (4) Borlotti
MELBOURNE CUP TIPS
Race 7:(1) Vauban,(2) Buckaroo, (13) Onesmoothoperator, (4) Warp Speed
