Josh Jenkins Sports

Some say rainy days are for sleeping.

Others say what better way to spend a drizzly afternoon than watching the smorgasbord of elite racing at our beck and call.

Group 1 racing at thoroughbred HQ, a standout Terang Cup for the pacers, Menangle’s Carnival of Miracles heats up… it goes on and on and on.

Here are the races I will be honed in on;

FLEMINGTON
C S HAYES STAKES
A Kiwi and a Queenslander collide here with each horse only ever having tasted defeat once. Alligator Blood has reportedly returned an even better three-year-old whilst Catalyst looks like he could be anything.
Throw in budding types like Dalasan, Soul Patch and Godolphin’s Chenier and you have the hallmarks for a memorable C S Hayes Stakes at Group 3 level.

Tips – Catalyst to win

BLACK CAVIAR LIGHTNING STAKES
Explosive speedster Nature Strip returns to the races after decimating a good bunch in the VRC Classic during spring. As long as he cops the softening ground, nothing will touch him here. Redzel loves the wet but I doubt he can match motors with Nature Strip.
Three-year-old filly Loving Gaby is the other that demands a mention.

Tips – Nature Strip to win (easily)

RANDWICK
TAB LIGHT FINGERS STAKES
In a season littered with outstanding three-year-olds, Libertini looked like being the best of the lot at one point. She returns here but faces a handy opposition consisting of Godolphin trio, Lyre, Flit and Kiamichi. She’s classy but I would not be surprised to see Libertini go under here.

Tips – Boxed F4 (1-2-3-4-5)

AQUIS APOLLO STAKES
Ageless wonder, Happy Clapper, returns here to add to his $7.24 million CV. He strikes a winnable Group 2 here with Alizee – who’s form is hard to gauge – and Verry Elleegant his major rivals.

Tips – Verry Elleegant to win

TERANG
TERANG CUP
A small but excellent group of pacers have arrived for the $50,000 Terang Cup. Kiwi A G’s White Socks was great when winning the Ballarat Cup but also performed incredibly well from an impossible position in the Hunter Cup. Local hope, Code Bailey is the one, though. He’s a beast in front, will lap up the hometown cooking and should get the easiest run in transit. Last week’s SA Cup quinella turns up here with Pat Stanley and Rackemup Tigerpie worth considerations for exotics.

Tips – Code Bailey win and F4 (6 from 9 from 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 from 2, 3, 5, 7, 8)

MENANGLE
TERMIDOR PACE
A Miracle Mile lead-up lead-up with Chase Auckland, Majordan and Alta Orlando leading the charge in this high quality contest. My Field Marshal would need to improve to win here whilst Ignatius is not quite the horse some thought he would become but is good enough to feature here.

Tips – Alta Orlando each way

GARRARDS SIBELIA STAKES
The mares clash here for a shot at entry into the rich Ladyship Mile in a few weeks time.
Victorians Soho Nolita, Goodtime Heaven and Pick Up Line will be competitive but Cross-McCarthy mare, Bettor Enforce, has to be favourite based on her Ladyship Cup performance a couple of weeks back.

Tips – Soho Nolita each way & Goodtime Heaven place

PALEFACE ADIOS STAKES
A final fling for four-year-olds hoping to get into the Chariots of Fire. Local, Balraj, will face a mountain of a task overcoming good horses from gate 10 whilst Victorians Hurricane Harley and Out To Play will expect to feature strongly.
Culture King is a great place chance from the pole and Firestorm Red is the other of note.

Tips – Quinella (1-3)

Best Bets;
Flemington R3 N14 each way
Flemington R8 N1 win
Randwick R7 F4 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Morphettville R4 N5 win
Bendigo R2 N7 each way
Terang R8 N6 win
Menangle R6 N6 each way

Stay dry, watch the races!