The final Group 1 of the South Australian Carnival at Morphettville is the Goodwood Sprint over 1200m and a huge field of 20 is set to line up as we offer our racing tips. There is a chance of a tiny bit of rain on Friday but not enough to affect the track, and with a fine day predicted on Saturday we will be racing on a Good track. With 20 runners engaged (and with the likes of Super One and Faatinah in the race) there is sure to be plenty of pace on throughout, which could set things up for a few of the backmarkers. Let's take a look at this field...
Darley Goodwood 1200m - Group 1
FLAMBERGE: Dual Group 1 winner in his first two starts this preparation before failing in Sydney last start where he wasn't suited by the way of going. Won this race last year and has all the weight to carry this year. Drawn horribly but expect him to bounce back sharply here.
THE QUARTERBACK: Winner of the Newmarket three starts back and that form is obviously very handy. Huge run in the William Reid two starts ago after bombing the start, and good again last start. The pace could set this up for him but the weights might give others a better chance.
BLACK HEART BART: Love this horse. Has really gone to the next level under Weir. This prep he's won a Group 3 and finished 2nd in two Group 1s, beaten by a nose in both. Finished in the top two over 1200m in 5 of his 6 attempts, drawn well and deserves favouritism. Tough to beat.
CHURCHILL DANCER: Racing very consistently in some tough races and comes into this off a 2 month let-up. If he can continue his form he shapes as an each way chance at 25/1 but the wide draw makes it tough.
BIG MONEY: First up into this off a 3 month spell. Took a couple of runs to really hit his straps last prep so he may not be fully tuned up for this. He should have some residual fitness though and he's won a trial leading into this. Possibly not quite at this class though.
SMOKIN' JOEY: Won this race two years ago but really struggling to produce anything good enough recently. Should get a good run but prefer others given the way he is going.
NOSTRADAMUS: Good win in Group 3 company two starts back and then finished midfield in another Group 3 last start. Draws the widest barrier here so he faces an almighty task.
FAST 'N' ROCKING: Huge run in the William Reid three starts back and then another big run last start in Group 3 company. He'll get a long way back from the wide barrier but if the tempo is hot this is one horse that can charge late.
DAYTONA GREY: His three runs this prep have all been good and he just found Super One too speedy last start. Won't get as nice a run here though from barrier 18 and he lacks the class to win this.
UNDER THE LOUVRE: In with a very strong chance here. Returned with a very "Under The Louvre" type of run first up where he stormed home from the back to just miss. He carried 60kg that day so he gets in very well with just 55.5kg here. Never missed a place second up and if the pace is on he will be rattling home. Chance.
ADMIRAL: Fantastic run over 1000m behind Supido first up which is well short of his best distance. The step up to 1200m is more suitable, albeit still short of his best, and he is undefeated when second up. Drawn perfectly and looks a good each way bet.
FAATINAH: Speedy 3YO who is 2 from 2 this prep, both at this track and distance. He'll be up there with the leaders but it's a question of whether he is seasoned enough to run a strong tempo in a Group 1 against some good horses. Happy to risk.
SUPER ONE: The real Super One showed what he is capable of with a big win at his first run back from a spell last start. He jumped, led and ran them off their feet to score pretty comfortably, and this is one that could be interesting to watch because we know from his time in Singapore that he is full of ability.
SUPIDO: Very progressive horse with 6 wins from 8 starts. Didn't quite win as comfortably as expected last start but he's clearly very good and deserves his crack at this. I'm not quite ready to put him on top in a race like this but I'll be keeping him safe.
SIRBIBLE: Been racing in Alice Springs recently and despite having 3 wins from his last 5 starts he won't be good enough here.
CASHED: Ran 4th to Nostradamus two starts back and then comfortably beaten by Super One last start. Not good enough to feature here.
MISS PROMISCUITY: Back to back wins at Caulfield and then dislodged Luke Nolen last start in the Sangster. Those wins were in decent company so from the good barrier she can give a sight up on the pace.
SHEIDEL: Huge run in the Sangster last start to back up a nice win in Group 3 company two starts ago. She was only a nostril away from winning a Group 1 last start and drops 3kg for this so she rates highly despite this being a tougher race.
SOOBOOG: Weir has turned Rageese into the serious horse he shaped up to be early days and he seems to have done the same thing with this horse, who has cost punters plenty. His run last start was enormous after bombing the start; if he jumps cleanly from the good barrier he can give this a real shake with the light weight.
Darley Goodwood Summary
Extremely tough race to sort out. I'm going to settle on Under The Louvre here who just looks very well suited 2nd up from a spell with just 55.5kg. The tempo is sure to be good so if he can get the right breaks at the right time he will be charging to the line. Darren Weir holds a strong hand with the Black Heart Bart and Sooboog. The former WA galloper deserves to be favourite after three outstanding runs this prep, while Sooboog could be the horse to keep an eye on at the bottom of the weights. Admiral, Super One, Supido and Sheidel are all others to include.
1st UNDER THE LOUVRE
2nd BLACK HEART BART
3rd SHEIDEL
4th SOOBOOG
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
