Betsy's Best: Cranbourne

Special day at Seymour today being the first of the Racing For Our Regions meetings, raising funds for those impacted by recent bushfires. To make a donation pleasure click here or on the banner below.

Summary of Best Bets:

Best bet - Race 1 No.1 Itsukushima
Value bet - Race 6 No.6 Indian Jewel

Turf Talk:

• The track looks likely to be a Good 4 to kick off the meeting, clear conditions are forecast so there is potential for an upgrade at some stage given the track has gone from a 4 to a 3 in the previous five meetings here.
• The rail returns to the True position for the first time since the start of January.
• Advantage usually sits with runners who settle in the front half of the field in running here and expect that pattern again with on-speed types favoured.

Key Stats:

• John McArdle continues in strong recent form with 24 winners from his last 100 starters at a PoT of +43.9%.
• Ben Melham rides Cranbourne well, striking at 24.6% with a PoT of +12.1%.

Race by race overview

Race 1:

(1) Itsukushima broke through for an overdue win last start over this same track and distance after stringing together a handful of second placings. This set up clearly suits him and he gets a favourable race map here. The race looks to lack early speed which should see him push forward and take control from the front, potentially proving hard to catch if he gets a soft time out in front.

(5) Phineas, (3) Austrata and (6) Super Solar round out the main chances.

Selections:

(1) Itsukushima
(5) Phineas
(3) Austrata
(6) Super Solar

Suggested Bet: Win (1) Itsukushima

Race 6:

(6) Indian Jewel was well supported last time at Sandown but left herself too much to do despite producing a fast finish. She can get back in the run which is the risk, but from barrier three she has the opportunity to settle closer and not concede too much ground early. If she finds a better position off what should be a solid tempo, she can be hitting the line strongly late and she is proven at the 1600m trip, which may be the query on favourite (1) Stage ‘N’ Screen.

(2) Cat Noir and (4) Champagne Jenni are next in line.

Selections:

(6) Indian Jewel
(1) Stage ‘N’ Screen
(2) Cat Noir
(4) Champagne Jenni

Suggested Bet: Each Way (6) Indian Jewel

Special day at Seymour being the first of the Racing For Our Regions meetings, raising funds for those impacted by recent bushfires. To make a donation pleasure click here or on the banner below.