Andrew O’Toole’s Sunday best bets at Alice Springs (13/07)

The fortnightly schedule of racing continues in the Red Centre today, with a six-race card which gets underway at the pre-noon time of 11.43am. Two races have been divided – the Benchmark 54 1000m and the 0-58 1400m – while the maiden 1100m was deleted at weights due to only four entries. Seven riders – five based in Darwin and two in Alice Springs – will do battle at Ladbrokes Pioneer Park and a tidy little fixture is on the cards.

The highest-graded race, an Average Benchmark 68 affair, is the day’s opener, and just five runners will contest the Centreline Saddlery and Country Outfitters Handicap (1200m). Nevertheless, each of the five have claims in the event, but Luskin Hero, looking for his third successive win on the track, makes most appeal.

Trained by Greg Connor, who has sent out the winners of no less than six winners at the last two meetings held in the Red Centre, Luskin Hero has taken some time to hit his straps since relocating to the Alice, but has looked very good winning his last two starts, his ninth and tenth outings respectively at Pioneer Park. On both occasions he triumphed over stablemate Boy Big, who will be a rival again today. He scored by over five lengths over 1100m on 16 June, and followed that up with another victory over the same trip on 30 June when his winning margin was 3.5 lengths.

Danielle Hirini, who was aboard last time, takes the mount again and the 1200m should hold no fears for the son of Kaphero, who has won previously at the trip among his six career wins. He has also drawn the inside gate for this assignment, and with 59.5kg, he looks primed for another top effort in this.

Expert Witness, who was entered for the last meeting but scratched from his engagement, has not started since early January when down the track here behind Brat and Vinnie’s Spirit. The eight-time winner has loads of ability though, and if he were to produce his best first-up for top local trainer Lisa Whittle, he would take a power of beating. He is a speedy customer and with Raymond Vigar in the saddle, he will be in this for a very long way.

Boy Big has two wins and two seconds from his last five starts, and the 7yo son of Vancouver seldom runs a bad race. He has only won once over this distance, however, from 14 attempts but is a well-performed gelding who will always give you a good run for your money. Kickatorp is a similar conveyance – he has run four straight thirds and prior to that had run second, first and third, ample proof of how genuine he is. Sonja Logan, who has had a decent association with the Ray Viney stable in recent times, will ride the topweight.

Bold Tropic completes the line-up, and while now a 7yo, has been racing soundly so far this year. The winner of six of his 49 starts gives trainer Connor a strong three-pronged hand in the event.

The last on the card is the Ladbrokes Top 2/3/4 Handicap over 1600m for the 0-70 gallopers, and like Luskin Hero, Mi Mijo is on target for his third win on the bounce. The 6yo son of Danbird has really come solid for trainer Will Savage lately, and his latest two winning efforts have both come over this trip, on 16 and 30 June. He is up in grade for this, but is racing better than ever and the 3kg claim will be invaluable for him, reducing his weight to a luxury 54kg, the minimum for the race. He promises to again give a good account of himself.

La Vesuvius, after winning at his first attempt in the Alice two starts back, was slightly disappointing when only third to Prophesier and Super Sharp here on 30 June. However, he was only beaten two lengths and had 61.5kg carry – he is down 2.5kg for this affair and Hirini again takes the mount for the in-form Connor stable. He should be right there in the finish.

Better Not Fuss was only just run down late by Mi Mijo last time and will carry a kilogram less this time courtesy of Maloney’s 2kg claim. The AS Guineas winner as a 3yo, Paul Gardner’s charge has been below his best this campaign but judged on his last-start effort, might be returning to something akin to his form last season.

Valley Prince, nowadays in the Savage barn, is a 12-time winner on this course, and has a decent record over the trip. Stan Tsaikos will be aboard and he could easily get into the frame. Silentdeel is a definite chance on his best form, while Murrajong Road would need to improve on his latest two efforts to rate a chance here.

The weather in the Red Centre this week has featured fine days and cool nights. The official forecast for today reads: Sunny. The chance of morning frost. Light winds. The temperature is forecast to reach a rather pleasant 26 degrees during the day, with a chilly 2 degrees overnight. There is 0% chance of any rainfall.

The first race on the six-race card gets underway at 11.43pm (NT time), which is 12.13pm on the eastern seaboard, while the last is timed to go at 2.47pm (NT time), or 3.17pm in New South Wales and Victoria.

BEST BETS

R2 # 1 REVOLUTION RISING
Resumes here from a break of some three and a-half months. Was in tremendous form last campaign, culminating in a last-start third placing on AS Cup weekend over 1200m in 0-58 grade. Has won twice at this trip of 1000m and in a fresh state, can give this field a real shake. Apprentice Lek Maloney takes 2kg off with his claim, so gets in well. Stable on fire of late too.

R3 # 2 TANGO STEPZ
Veteran racing as well as ever. Beaten a length last time out a month ago behind Quanapirri Bay, a rival again here, but the drop back in trip should suit admirably. Has won no less than six times over 1000m, and Jess Booth’s 3kg apprentice claim brings her in just 4kg above the minimum. Drawn gate five, should be able to take up a handy position and will be strong late.

R4 # 2 SUPER SHARP
Went down narrowly to stablemate Prophesier here on 30 June in an Average Benchmark affair over 1400m, and drops back to a 0-58 this time. Same distance again should be suitable and Raymond Vigar, who was aboard last time, again has the steer. Has been taking on some decent opposition lately and now in this grade, can return to winning ways for trainer Lisa Whittle.

SELECTIONS

RACE 1 – 2, 3, 4, 1
RACE 2 – 1, 4, 2, 6
RACE 3 – 2, 1, 4, 5
RACE 4 – 2, 1, 4, 7
RACE 5 – 1, 4, 5, 2
RACE 6 – 2, 1, 4, 3

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