Racing Preview – Sat 9 May

BTC Cup – Doomben
Saturdays feature race is the first Group 1 race in Queensland for 2009. The $400,000 Group 1 Jacob’s Creek Sparkling BTC Cup weight-for-age over 1200 metres had 10 acceptances, but only 9 will run as Mr Baritone has already been scratched.

The early betting has Apache Cat as $2.30 favourite, ahead of Swiss Ace at $3.80, Bank Robber at $7.50, Sniper’s Bullet at $9, and Solo Flyer and Duporth both at $13. Apache Cat won this race last year, beating Vormista and Swiss Ace. He should win again when you look a t his excellent statistics over the distance, at this track, and second-up. Swiss Ace won well at his last start 2 weeks ago, and Sniper’s Bullet should run well again.

Jo’s tips: 1. Apache Cat, 2. Swiss Ace, 3. Sniper’s Bullet

Chairman’s Handicap – Doomben
The Group 3 $100,000 Metro Tiles Chairman’s Handicap over 2020 metres has attracted a field of 16 runners. The early favourite is Rabbuka at $3.60 ahead of Queen Of Queens at $5, Ballack, Sir Slick and Go Cart all at $7, then Imvula at $8.50. The rest are at double figure odds.

Go Cart beat Rabbuka by a short neck over 2400 metres on 25 April and although Rabbuka meets him better at the weights Go Cart is a real fighter at the end of his races. The topweight Sir Slick is a quality runner with excellent form in New Zealand, and should run a place.

Jo’s tips: 1. Go Cart, 2. Rabbuka, 3. Sir Slick

Hawkesbury Guineas – Hawkesbury
There are 13 runners in the $100,000 Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas over 1400 metres. There are 4 fillies and 9 colts and geldings in the three-year-old set weights plus penalties race.

The early market has The Astronomer as $4 favourite ahead of Yesterday at $4.60. Next in the market are Back Off, Related, and HotHavanaNights all at $6, Baci Amore at $6.50 and Jiale at $9.50. The filly Jiale motored home to win at this course and distance on the 29th April against her own sex, and drops 5.5kg here. The Astronomer ran on strongly to finish second in the Carbine at his last start, while Yesterday turned in an eye-catching finish at her last start over 1400 metres.

Jo’s tips: 1. Jiale, 2. The Astronomer, 3. Yesterday