Morphettville Best Bets Preview: April 27th with Nick Foot

All eyes turn to South Australia this weekend as Morphettville boasts an outstanding program of black type racing. The Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) for the Fillies & Mares is one of the strongest editions of the race we have seen, courtesy of the increase to $1 million in prize money. Ciaron Maher once again holds a strong hand in the race with exciting filly, ESTRIELLA, and speedy Mare, I AM ME both engaged.

The Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) for the 3YO Fillies boasts a capacity field with Patrick Payne’s, WINGS OF SONG, looking to make it 7 wins on the bounce after taking out the key lead up race, the Auraria Stakes. She will have to overcome Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr’s lightly raced filly, VIBRANT SUN, as well as Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s exciting runner in COCO SUN.

Race 2 – G3 Breeders’ Stakes 2YO’s (1200 METRES)

Fillies have won the past 5 editions of this race, it’s the boys turn this year.

#1 Growing Empire – $2.6

Promising Ciaron Maher Colt that was very green on debut. The Blinkers went on at start 2 in the Listed Valley Pearl and they took luck out of the equation by going to the front and being ridden like the best horse. Same goes here and I love the booking of Mark Zahra.

Suggested Bet: Win

Race 3 – G3 Chairman’s Stakes 3YO’s (2000 METRES)

#3 Warmonger – $3.2

The Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) is the key form reference for this race. AIR ASSAULT was the winner of that race, however WARMONGER ate into the margin late and only missed 0.1L. He looks like he will relish the step to 2000m 3rd up and gets Victoria’s best hoop in the saddle, D.Lane. I’m surprised he isn’t favourite.

Suggested Bet: Win

Race 4 – G3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100 METRES)

SAVATOXL won the race in 2021 for Tony and Calvin McEvoy, then returned to win for Will Savage in the 2023 edition.

#14 Press Down – $10/$3.1

Presented like the winner at the 400m LS in the Irwin Stakes and was beaten by a classy Mare in BENEDETTA who had his back throughout the run. PRESS DOWN got home in the 2nd FL400m of the day and ran a career peak figure in doing so. He gets in 4.5kg lighter than that FUP run and with even luck from barrier 13 looks a good 1×3 chance.

Suggested Bet: 1×3 Stake

Race 8 – G1 Robert Sangster Stakes F&M (1200 METRES)

Ciaron Maher has had a stranglehold on this race winning the last 2 editions with RUTHLESS DAME and SNAPDANCER. He has the first 2 in the market again this year.

#12 Estriella – $3

I’ve been with her this entire prep and I’m not about to walk away from a high functioning ATM right now. Her performances down the straight at her last 2 runs have been that of a class filly, running good time from the front. The latest win in the Sunlight Classic stamped her as a G1 winner in waiting. A win here will see her announce herself as one of the most exciting sprinters in the land.

Suggested Bet: Win

Best Bet – R8 #12 Estriella

Next Best – R3 #3 Warmonger

Value – R4 #14 Press Down