The final Group 1 feature of the 2017 Adelaide Autumn Carnival headlines an outstanding card of racing at Morphettville on Saturday afternoon.
The Goodwood (1200m) has attracted one of its strongest fields in recent history and the Darren Weir-trained Black Heart Bart faces a big task in defending his crown amongst the open and capacity group.
The action on 2017 The Goodwood Day will get underway at 12:30pm with the running of the Campolina Stud Handicap (1200m) and will conclude after the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) is contested at 4:55pm.
Race 1 (12:30pm) Campolina Stud Handicap (1200m)
A talent-rich and capacity field will step out for Race 1 at Morphettville on Saturday. So You Too (barrier 13) has returned to the races in excellent form this season and the gelding is well positioned to return to winning form in the Campolina Stud Handicap. Having experienced a strong return to black type company when third in the Listed Redelva Stakes (1100m), the So You Think gelding stormed home late to place third in the Group 2 Euclase Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago and will be tough to beat upon stepping back in class. Main dangers for the three-year-old include Idatwo (barrier 14) and Lauchetti (barrier 10).
Tip: No. 18 So You Too ($2.30)
Race 2 (1:05pm) Group 3 National Stakes (1200m)
A number of handy two-year-olds have been confirmed in a field of ten for the Group 3 National Stakes. Indian Thunder (barrier 3) carries winning form into the race and trainer Darren Weir would not have travelled the horse unless he liked his chances. Talented local Phelps Glory (barrier 1) will make his competitive return in the race and is yet to taste anything but success, while Victorian raider Booker (barrier 4) also won her only start to date. It’s A Myth (barrier 7) has gone close at her two most recent starts and is not without a chance of breaking into the winner’s stall with positive hoop Noel Callow in the saddle.
Tip: No. 1 Indian Thunder ($4.60)
Race 3 (1:45pm) Listed Port Adelaide Cup (2500m)
Black type racing continues in Race 3 when a handy field of stayers line up for the Listed Port Adelaide Cup. High Church (barrier 6) flew home to post a dominant six-length win in the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2400m) last time out and he should again prove extremely hard to beat in this race, from an ideal draw. Grey Lion (barrier 11) improved to finish seventh in the Warrnambool Cup, but will need to improve ten lengths more if he is to turn the tables on High Church. Talented local Waging War is seeking a fourth-consecutive race win in the Port Adelaide Cup and should have no issue in performing to a high standard with only 54kgs in tow.
Tip: No. 1 High Church ($2)
Race 4 (2:25pm) Group 3 SA Fillies Classic (2500m)
The time-honoured SA Fillies Classic has drawn a typically field for three-year-old stayers this year and there is several live chances in the capacity group. Smart As You Think (barrier 9) has produced a number of smart performances without a lot of luck this season and may be offered her best chance of a return to winning form in this race. Savvy Dreams (barrier 6) ran an impressive fourth in the Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) last weekend and is arguably the horse to beat on Saturday, while Ana Royale (barrier 11) flew home to finish third in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2010m) a fortnight ago and appears as though she will relish a step up in distance. Young Hostess (barrier 17) should find a good position off pace from her wide draw and is seeking a third-consecutive race win in the SA Fillies Classic.
Tip: No. 2 Savvy Dreams – Each Way ($6.50/$2.40)
Race 5 (3:05pm) Listed Centaurea Stakes (2019m)
A number of notable fillies and mares have been confirmed in a competitive Centaurea Stakes field. Tick Tick Bloom has found impressive form through recent weeks but may have too much work to do in the early stages of the race from the wide and awkward barrier 13. Miss Dubois (barrier 12) won the Ultrasigns BM64 (1600m) at Pakenham on April 23rd before placing second at her last start and is not without a hope with in-form hoop Mark Zahra in the saddle. Lee & Anthony Freedman have a big opinion of Exocet (barrier 1) and the three-year-old is drawn, weighted and has the form to find her way into the Centaurea Stakes winner’s circle.
Tip: No. 13 Exocet – Each Way ($7.50/$2.50)
Race 6 (3:45pm) Group 3 RA Lee Stakes (1600m)
It’s a small but effective field of milers that has been confirmed for the RA Lee Stakes and in form, nearly every runner has the ability to win this race. Burning Front (barrier 8) has returned to racing in typically scintillating form this season and should prove tough to beat in this race, while Hooked (barrier 3) carries winning form into the race after taking out the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at his last start. Rhythm To Spare (barrier 2) was a handy winner of a talent-packed Caulfield minor over a mile last time out and is primed for a return to black type company, while Royal Rumble (barrier 7) leads the local contingent of runners in the RA Lee Stakes field and is seeking a fourth-consecutive race win.
Tip: No. 1 Burning Front ($2.40)
Race 7 (4:20pm) Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m)
It is an outstanding and capacity field of sprinters that has been confirmed for The Goodwood this year, but defending champion Black Heart Bart again figures as the horse to beat in the feature race. The five-time Group 1 champion finished second in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) first-up this year, before posting consecutive wins in the Group 1 Ladbrokes CF Orr Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m). Malaguerra is a two-time Group 1 winner at the distance and will return from a freshen-up in the race, while his stable mate Illustrious Lad will require plenty of luck from his wide draw. Robert Sangster Stakes winner Secret Agenda (barrier 5) is primed for another big performance in The Goodwood, while horses like Bassett (barrier 20), Hey Doc (barrier 21) and Karacatis (barrier 18) will also need bulk luck from horror draws.
Tip: No. 1 Black Heart Bart ($3.50)
Race 8 (4:55pm) Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m)
Eighteen fillies and mares will contest the final race on 2017 The Goodwood Day; the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m). Fuhryk returned to the races for a close second in the Euclase Stakes a fortnight ago and will carry plenty of benefit into this race. She will require some luck from a tricky gate, but has the notable advantage of Craig Williams in the saddle and will be tough to run down with only 55.5kgs in tow. Main dangers include talented local Samara Dancer (barrier 16), the ever-dangerous Ravi (barrier 6) and proven performer at Morphettville Telopea (barrier 12).