Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing at Cranbourne on Friday, March 29th.
With Moonee Valley's Friday night meetings now concluded, Cranbourne takes the mantle, and we've previewed all eight races on Friday night's card below.
The track is rated a Good 4 with the rail in the true position.
Cranbourne Racing Tips
Best Bet: Race 5 Vanuatu
Best Value: Race 4 So Magnifique
Lay Of The Day: Race 2 Amatrine
Race 1: 3YO Maiden Set Weights 1000m
With the early scratching of our top pick Sacred Sword, we are left with Pereira as the go to horse. Some form guides are showing him as being gelded since his debut three weeks ago, that seems an unusually short turnaround so beware that this info may not be true. Either way his first appearance at the races was a good one, he was mid-field before running on well to take the lead and eventually run down late. He may have just peaked on his condition at his debut run, should be fitter for the run and just needs to overcome the bad draw.
Race 2: Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate Set Weights 1600m
Threeood has been to the races nine times and has had his chances, he is very speedy and will try and lead all the way. Happy to say that he is a realistic chance to do so but he has just been too costly for punters of late. Flag Edition was huge odds on debut at Pakenham, she was straight to the 1400m and although she never threatened, she was working home nicely before being steadied late and was strong again through the line. She should get a soft run in transit and be suited out to the mile.
Race 3: Maiden Plate Set Weights 1300m
I am centering my focus on the two Ellerton/Zahra runners here, Silver Scout and Stayawake. Silver Scout has been to the races six times, only once this campaign when he resumed at Sale. He was well beaten but did run through the line well for second, he layed in badly and with the addition of the blinkers today he looks a big improver. He has been inclined to do that throughout his career, they have finally pulled the trigger with the blinkers. Stayawake has hit the line well aty both starts, both over shorter trips than this and looks well suited getting out to the 1300m. In-form jock Jamie Kah goes on, you lose nothing with her legging up. Back them both.
Race 4: BM70 Handicap 1200m
So Magnifique has won his last two races, at his last prep he was getting back but since he has resumed and ridden with more aggression, he has really improved. He won his maiden at Benalla two back leading all the way then adopted some jump-and-run tactics at Wangaratta last time and bolted in. Hopefully similar tactics today, he will be hard to catch. Burgonet will also go forward but may have to chase hard, if he does hold the front, he may be worth a dabble in-run. Whichever of these two leads will look the winner most of the straight.
Race 5: Class One Handicap 1100m
Vanuatu looks the best of the night. Not sure how short she will be but she was most impressive when storming home at Sandown when resuming last start. She only had the two runs at her first prep, second-up she won her maiden when flip of the coin odds. The small field suits and she should be storming over the top of them. String Theory is likely to have some support resuming and be in the market, if the money is there late indicating fitness from the yard, maybe save on her.
Race 6: BM64 Handicap 1300m
Write Enuff is likely to be well found here, she was a winner on debut before being sent straight to the paddock. She was well beaten behind the likes of Sunlight and Humma Humma last prep and was given six months off. She returned in SA where she was not on her best behavior pre-race was up on the speed and hit the lead before being swamped late by an impressive winner. She then went to Flemington and was only beaten less than three lengths in a much harder race up the straight, she wins this, it looks a lot easier.
Race 7: BM70 Handicap 2025m
Tough race. Grand Theme will find this a lot easier then last start at Flemington, he had been racing very consistently prior to that. Ciccolallo is only lightly raced, he was well ridden to win an easier race here last time. Herecomesmybaby won resuming this prep, forget she went around last time at the Valley after she was well back and was making ground but got no run and went to the line untested. Savaheat has been up for a long time, he went to SA last time to try and get the confidence back, had every chance but was run down late after finding the top early in the straight. Play wide in the Quaddie.
Race 8: BM64 Handicap 1000m
Rapidora is resuming, she showed good ability at her first three starts before finally cracking her maiden at Mornington last start before going to the paddock. She was given a perfect ride to win that maiden, draws well again here to get the soft trail behind the leaders. If the money comes for her late the confidence will increase. Segouin won at 58-grade last time and will be up on the speed for a long way. Saorsa has only been to the races twice then was sent to the paddock, he showed plenty of speed at his two starts and has won a trial since. Not a lot of confidence but Rapidora looks the one to beat.
