Saturday Blackbookers - December 17

Bets.com.au Staff

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Last updated: Mon 19 Dec 2022 10:25

Bets.com.au Staff 19 Dec 2022

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We've reviewed all of the city meetings from December 17
The team have assembled their runners to follow from Ascot, Eagle Farm, Flemington, Gawler & Randwick
Saturday Blackbook runners are included below

Who are the runners to follow from December 17? (Getty)

ASCOT

Race 5 - Saloon Bar (fourth): The first three home were a little too slick at 1200m, with this three-year-old likely to come into his own over seven or eight furlongs (won his maiden at start two over 1400m) and this followed an unlucky return over 1000m, so there's a good platform for his summer campaign. Is Class 1 eligible and has a rating of 64, so can work through the grades.

Race 6 - Sentimental Queen (fifth): Spotting race fitness to entire field was this resuming five-year-old, who had excuses in this first-up attempt. From the box-seat, she was held-up until the 150m and in restricted room from there, so didn't have time to build momentum over a mile. Has been rather consistent for the Hayden Ballantyne yard and won second-up last prep.

EAGLE FARM

Race 7 - Holyfield (third): The Gold Coast Magic Millions Series races are what this bloke is being aimed at and he looks well and truly on track to be peaking there in the Cup. He ran second in that event last year and could very well go one better this time around. The winner on Saturday, Ucalledit, looks a proper stakes horse, so this form should stack up.

Race 9 - Mass Destruction (seventh): Jumped as a $2.30 fav and did not have the best of luck in running, clearly just need room to his outer which he never had. He was coming out of races that were much stronger than what he ran in on Saturday, and does have the scope to be able to reach that level. Has plenty of talent anfd hould bounce back next start with the right set-up

FLEMINGTON

Race 3 - Excelleration (second): Has been somewhat of an enigma, but it was encouraging that he won over 2000m at the end of last prep and relished the mile first-up on Saturday, indicating that the stable may have learnt enough about him now to just keep him in form. If he continues his progression this time in work, no doubt he will be a permanent Saturday metro horse.

Race 7 - Rose Quartz (fourth): Although average when comparing a fourth to her SP of $2.15, she was on the wrong part of the straight and had no back to follow, doing all the work herself. Her prior run was enormous in the Doveton Stakes and that’s what that SP was based off. The Standish looks a nice race in the middle of January to target.

GAWLER

Race 7 - Suggestive Miss (fourth): From the 400m until the 150m, she was held-up behind a one-paced Lord Wonder, who picked himself up late and given the furthest Suggestive Miss has won over is 1100m, she didn't exactly ping late when finally clear in the last 100m, so perhaps a drop in trip will work next time. Won the start prior and wasn't handling wet tracks before that.

Race 8 - Disagreeable Miss (third): With three thirds and two fourths, she's been consistent all prep without winning and while the slow starts at her last outings are a concern, this mare going too well to not be pinching one soon. In a race that was otherwise dominated by the leaders, she come from the rear and wide, rattling home late to get within a length of the winner.

RANDWICK

Race 5 - Alpha One (fifth): Although he lost as a well backed fav, there was plenty merit in this return, with Alpha One only resuming off one trial. Despite having the speed to muster, he did rear at the start and then was pressured in the middle stages by Rupertaar, which understandably left him vulnerable late. Was still only beaten a length and has plenty of improvement.

Race 9 - Super Pursuit (fourth): If you ignore the 1000m dash (Race 5) then this ex-Kiwi has recorded the fastest last 600m of the entire meeting (32.76) and was the only runner making any impression in this contest, with the first three home all doing less work. Was only second-up here off a 12 month absence, so there is upside and getting to 1300m-1400m should be ideal.