3 minute read

Best bets for a big day of stakes racing at Morphettville on Saturday.

The Autumn carnival is on our doorstep and stakes racing returns to headquarters, with three Listed contests - the Dequetteville (1050m), Matrice (1200m) and Clare Lindop Stakes (1600m).

For the best of the day, we duck the features and head to the 3YO BM78, where I'm with the recently gelded son of Blue Point, Aleppo Pine.

Under the Hayes banner, he carries the big weight but deserves to when sifting through his formlines, including form around (arguably) the country's best sprinter Tentyris. He looks to be breathing fire since the ultimate gear change, judging by two sharp jump‑outs that suggest he's come back a stronger, more focused version of himself.

Signature Scent is the obvious threat and holds favouritism after two sound runs back in Melbourne, but Aleppo Pine still owns the ratings edge, even with the 60kg, and looks doused with X‑factor. Expecting him to make a real statement.

Hunting for value, I've landed on another gelding who must shoulder a big weight but profiles similarly (relatively) to our best bet, and its Synchro in the last.

The lightly raced five‑year‑old returns, lugging the big weight, but has jumped out sharply and reunites with Todd Pannell, who knows him inside out. He maps far more favourably than several of the firmer market elects, who are likely to get a long way back from their wide draws.

From the inside alley, Pannell should have Synchro bouncing straight on speed, with the option to lead if required. His strongest ratings have come over further, so expect him to be sticking on strongly late. If he controls the race or lands in the first pair, he'll take plenty of running down.

Say From SA:

Best: R4 #1 ALEPPO PINE

Value: R10 #3 SYNCHRO