Racing Preview – Sat 2 May

The Goodwood – Morphettville
There is a good eight race program at Morphettville with two Group 1’s, two Group 3’s and a Listed Race. Race 6 is the $300,000 Group 1 The Distinctive Homes Goodwood over 1200 metres for three-year-olds and upwards. The set weights and penalties race has a field of 12, but the crowd will be there to watch wonder sprinter Takeover Target.

The early betting has Takeover Target at the odds on price of $1.60. This is the most skewed betting market I have seen in a long time as next in the betting is I Am Invincible at $10, Blahnik and Huxssen both at $13, Tramuntana at $14, then Diplomatic Force and Augusta Proud both at $16. It is unthinkable that any other horse in this field could beat Takeover Target after the way the nine-year-old shot away in the TJ Smith, and he has been working well in Adelaide. The 2008 Goodwood winner Shadoways ($18) is returning from a long break but goes well fresh, I Am Invincible is in top form, and Tramuntana won his last start in good style.

Jo’s tips: 1. Takeover Target, 2. Shadoways, 3. I Am Invincible

SA Derby – Morphettville
The set weights $300,000 Group 1 Betfair.com SA Derby over 2500 metres has attracted a field of 13 three-year-old colts and geldings. The early market has Rebel Raider as $3.40 favourite ahead of Larry’s Never Late at $4, Fitoussi at $7, Naval Escort at $7.50, Reprisal at $10 and Honourable Kind at $15.

Larry’s Never Late is racing exceptionally well, having won 4 of his last 5 starts. His last start win over 2200 metres was against older horses. Rebel Raider is the only horse in the field to have won over 2500 metres (Victoria Derby) and won his last start over 2000 metres by 2 lengths when he was drawing away in the Chairmans. Naval Escort sixth behind Roman Emperor in the AJC Australian Derby was eye-catching as he was held-up and ran on strongly when he got clear.

Jo’s tips: 1. Larry’s Never Late, 2. Rebel Raider, 3. Naval Escort

Hollindale Stakes – Gold Coast
The Group 2 $300,000 A.D. Hollindale Stakes weight-for-age over 1800 metres has attracted a field of 13 runners. The early favourite is Scenic Shot at $3.20 ahead of Prima Nova at $5, Imvula at $7, Sphenophyta at $8 and Izonit and Riva San both at $10.

Scenic Shot won this race last year with Glen Colless riding. The gelding has not won for 11 months, but has several good runs in Group 1 company. Prima Nova won her last start in the 2000 metre JRA Plate, following a close second over 1900 metres which puts her right in this. Riva San was the winner of the 2008 Queensland Oaks-Queensland Derby and she is expected to run well here.

Jo’s tips: 1. Scenic Shot, 2. Prima Nova, 3. Riva San