Iconoclasm in right form
Morphettville G1 The Goodwood, $750,000, 1200m
Iconoclasm (Toorak Toff) made a memorable first appearance for Victorian trainer Danny O’Brien at Caulfield where he was untroubled to win under 59kg.
It’s reasonable to expect the 4-year-old to have derived further improvement from the run and he will again be ridden by Craig Williams.
Spright (Hinchinbrook) gained a deserved Group 1 victory last time out in the Robert Sangster S. and the only negative about her is the wide gate. With early luck though, she will be right in this.
There’s a similar scenario about the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Booker (Written Tycoon) from her outside alley, but Despatch (Written Tycoon) has no such worries from a handy draw.
The 4-year-old is making impressive progress with a Listed win in the Oakbank S. followed by victory in the G3 McKay S. over this course and distance.
Stablemate Cool Passion (Not A Single Doubt) was runner-up in the Robert Sangster off a break and she is a past second-up winner while any easing of the track will bring Jamaican Rain (Manhattan Rain) right into favour. She has been freshened and has won four of her five first-up outings.
The lightly-raced 3-year-old Valour Road (Frost Giant) also showed a liking for Morphettville when he took out the G2 Euclase S. and in his current form is a threat.
Distance ideal for filly
Morphettville G3 TAB SA Fillies’ Classic, $175,000, 2500m
Miss Moana (NZ) (Uncle Mo {USA}) is a dead-set staying filly, as she showed when beating older opposition over a trip at Newcastle.
She was previously unplaced in the G1 Australian Oaks, but certainly wasn’t disgraced behind the top-class Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).
Etheridge (Roman Emperor {NZ}) is a promising type who ran 2400 metres out strongly when second at Sandown while Nordic Symphony (Glass Harmonium {Ire}) wasn’t far away when fifth in the G1 Schweppes Oaks and a strong chance on that effort.
Miner’s Miss (Rebel Raider) finished third in the G1 VRC Oaks in the spring. While she hasn’t found that form again just yet, she is at a suitable trip now and looks an each-way hope at odds.
Conditions ideal
Morphettville G3 Robert & Fay Gerard RA Lee S., $175,000, 1600m
Set weights and penalties suits Magic Consol (Consolidator {USA}), who has beaten better fields than this and won the G3 Feehan S. when fresh.
He hasn’t raced since he was unplaced in the G1 Futurity S., but he didn’t get the best of runs in the straight and should have finished closer.
Fastnet Tempest (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) returned to winning form in a sprint last time out for Lindsay Park and he’s been successful three times over a mile.
Bring Me Roses (High Chaparral {Ire}) was a solid fifth in the G2 Queen of the South S. and should get a soft run from the ace draw while Curragh (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) won in a lesser grade at Warrnambool, but did it well enough first-up and is sure to be improved for the run.
Consistency to be rewarded
Morphettville G3 TAB Proud Miss S., $150,000, 1200m
Flying Krupt (Krupt) has been in good touch this preparation with placings from all three starts and was most recently runner-up in the Listed City of Adelaide S.
She is a two-time winner on the course and over this distance and certainly can’t be overlooked in her current form.
Princess Of Queens (Magnus) won the G3 Bellmaine S. before a break and was unplaced resuming in the G1 Robert Sangster S. She should be much more comfortable in this grade and stablemate Nariko (Not A Single Doubt) has placed at stakes level and should be all the better for her first-up run for fifth.
Humma Humma (Denman) is a tough filly who can be expected to give another good sight from a handy gate. Amerdi (Ambidexter) has a good winning strike with seven victories from 13 outings and she will improve on a last-start fourth, her first appearance in five months.
Absolute danger again
Morphettville G3 M&J Chickens National S., $150,000, 1200m
Absolute Flirt (Stratum) has had this race on her agenda for a while and the chestnut comes in with grand form credentials. The filly bolted in when resuming and earned a return trip to South Australia when successful in the Listed Queen Adelaide S. a fortnight ago.
Li’L Kontra (Krupt) is nothing if not genuine and was game last time out behind Absolute Flirt after winning the Listed Dequetteville S.
Lindsay Park’s Splendoronthegrass (So You Think {NZ}) got home well at Warrnambool to make the perfect start to her career and can only improve.
Balabeel (Not A Single Doubt) was second in the Queen Adelaide on debut and on the strength of that effort is at least a place chance again. Stablemate Xilong (Deep Field) beat a weaker line-up at Balaklava, but did it well enough to give hope she will measure up in a better grade.
Morphettville G3 Dominant Queens Cup, $120,000, 2500m
Rock On (NZ) (Road To Rock) did well in his first appearance for Peter Gelagotis to finish runner-up at Caulfield and 2500 metres gives him a strong chance to go one better.
He has good reserves of stamina, emphasised by his win in the Listed New Zealand St Leger over this trip.
Chequered Flag (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}) won over hurdles last time out at Warrnambool and retains enough flat ability to be considered a bright chance while Valac (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is consistent and dangerous to overlook.
Azurite (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) has won up to 3600 metres so there are no chinks in his staying armour. Nashville Sound (Clanalang) is up in grade, but as the winner of his last two he deserves his chance.
Trainer has strong hand
Morphettville Listed AAMI Centaurea S., $100,000, 2024m
Indrabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) comes here in great touch with consecutive wins over a mile and, on pedigree, will relish the step up to this trip.
She is prepared by Tony McEvoy and stablemate Lady Young (Fastnet Rock) gives him a strong hand following her Listed Adelaide Guineas second.
Remember The Name (Lope De Vega {Ire}) won a decent mares’ race at Caulfield last time out and she’s another who should appreciate the extra distance. Clearly (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is also entitled to respect after placing in Group 2 company in the Queen of the South S.
Stable well-represented
Ascot G3 D’Orsogna Family Roma Cup, $150,000, 1200m
Chris Gangemi might hold the key here with Rock Magic (Redoute’s Choice) and Durendal (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}).
The former might be in the veteran class now, but the 9-year-old showed he was far from a spent force with his resuming win in the G3 Northam S, while Durendal was a solid third in the race.
Galaxy Star (Redoute’s Choice) hasn’t raced since she won the G2 Van Heemst S. over 2100 metres before Christmas, but she is a quality mare and has trialled up well.
Vital Silver (Wanted) has been freshened and has won in the that state before while Great Shot (Magnus) is another one with a good first up record and has had the benefit of two recent trial outings to have him ready.
