Jason Bonnington, Brittany Graham, Ryan Phelan and Dan Mielicki have each outlined a $200 game plan for tonight’s Vicbred Super Series finals night at Melton.
Here’s how they’re playing the meeting:
MULTI
RACE 1 No. 4 THE LOCOMOTIVE
RACE 4 No. 4 STORMRYDER
RACE 6 No. 1 PETRACCA
RACE 9 No. 3 AMORE VITA
RACE 11 No. 3 ROCKINWITHATTITUDE
($30)
Not normally the biggest fan of multis as something – often one thing – seems to go awry. Having said that, VSS finals night is an ideal stage to roll the dice and while all five legs are short, at the time of writing, we’ll get $3.53 per $1 invested. Promisingly, the first leg seems our toughest hurdle, so if The Locomotive salutes you can feel relatively comfortable about collecting.
TRIFECTAS
RACE 6: 1/8/4, 9 ($30 gets 1500%) and 1/8/2, 5, 6 ($20 gets 666.67%)
Given their outstanding semi-final successes last weekend, Petracca was my top tip and Techys Watching my second elect pre-draw for this 2YO colts and geldings Super Series decider. Then they drew to lead and trail in transit. Barring something unforeseen, they should almost certainly finish one-two in that order, so we’re splitting bronze medal aspirations between five runners and staggering them accordingly. If peg-domination occurs, and Roadmaster finishes third, make sure you hold your hand over the App and lower it slowly when revealing the dividend as it could be enormous.
BEST ROUGHIE
RACE 5 No. 13 VEE EM GEE MACRAY ($10 WIN and $40 PLACE)
It’s somewhat criminal that this fabulous spread wasn’t published earlier in the week when Vee Em Gee Macray was $151/$16 with TAB. Hopefully, I pray that some smart investors read my form comment on Thursday morning because she’s now into $34/$4.20. Of course, she’ll need lots to go right from her carpark alley, but the likely race shape suits. If Sahara Breeze leads with Sweet Bella pouring the pressure on and we get three-wide cover on Joyful late, then I’ll only ask you this: if you’re near me at the time, please afford me space and silence.
MAIN QUADDIES
1, 4, 11, 13/1/6/7 ($40 gets 1000%)
1, 4, 11, 13/1/6/2 ($20 gets 250%)
1, 4, 11, 13/1/3/7 ($10 gets 250%)
Quaddies are my favourite bet type, but we’ll need a few things playing in our favour to yield a serious profit tonight. Fortunately, TAB have iced the pot with a $50k jackpot to aid our cause.
MULTI
RACE 4 No.4 STORMRYDER
RACE 6 No.1 PETRACCA
RACE 9 No.3 AMORE VITA
($80)
On a night where it looks hard to go against many of the favourites, I think we can bundle these three Emma Stewart pacing machines for a result in a multi. Stormryder comfortably disposed of his rivals in his semi-final, closing out in a 26sec final quarter. I think he pushes forward to lead all the way. Petracca also draws favourably over his major rivals and his demolition job in the semi-final was dynamic, while I just don’t know how they beat Amore Vita. She overcame immense adversity in her heat and semi-final with relative ease. She has it all and should hopefully make the end of our multi an enjoyable watch.
BEST VALUE
RACE 8 No.8 KHAFAJI ($40 WIN)
The four-year-old pacing boys’ division is missing a headline act with Catch A Wave and past winner Heza Son Of Agun dodging the series, but there is no shortage of in-form runners to pick. I’m leaning towards the likelihood of Solesseo Matuca having the speed to kick through to repel the likes of Roarforroscoe and Eyethink, and therefore creating a solidly run lead time. With that occurring, Khafaji should be poised three back along the fence, which could be the place to be in what I assume will be a briskly run race. He has been racing well under tough conditions and may even have an angel from above to push him past the post at nice odds.
MAIN QUADDIE
1,4,9,11/1,8/3,6/2,7,8 ($30 gets 62.5%)
The most even race of the night looks the battle between the 3YO pacing fillies, with a myriad of potential scenarios and strong winning chances, depending on what transpires. Let’s tighten things up mid-Quaddie before hoping Khafaji can bring us home in the final leg at a price, while including some other positive map horses.
TRIFECTA
RACE 9: 3/1,5/1,5,8,10 ($50 gets 833.33%)
Amore Vita looks your lock for the night in all respects, including through a trifecta with a few of her stablemates and assumed peg-line runners. I can see Soho Historia once again spearing across to either hold or hand to Amore Vita, with Petillante then in a cosy position to be a likely placegetter. Throw Rakero Rebel at massive odds and second semi-final winner Talk Time into calculations for third.
BEST BET
RACE 11 No.3 ROCKINWITHATTITUDE ($80 WIN)
Manners and behaviour go a long way with juvenile trotters, and when you match that with gate speed and heart you have a lethal combination. That’s what you get with Rockinwithattitude. Already a three-time Group 1 winner, including last season’s VSS final as a two-year-old, she’s all class. She will lead and justify her short quote.
BEST VALUE
RACE 6 No.4 PERFECT CLASS ($10 WIN and $35 PLACE)
I was shocked to see him go up double figures. He’s only been $10-plus once in his last 10 starts, which speaks to his high quality. Petracca is the hot favourite and clearly the one to beat, but the bubble has burst with him at G1 level on more than one occasion. Perfect Class will show speed and may be a chance to lead, but worst case will get cover and give a great sight at odds.
FIRST 4
RACE 9: 3/5,10/1,2,5,8,10/1,2,5,8,10 ($48 gets 200%)
Vicbred Super Series night is great for exotic players. The key is to find the standouts on top, then hopefully some value on the second and third lines. One of the locks of the night is Amore Vita, who looks set to take the leap to the big-time Grand Circuit races beyond this evening. I think there’s some good value potentially with Blood Moon or Rakero Rebel getting into the numbers.
MAIN QUADDIE
1,4,5,8/3,6/2,7,11/3 ($27 gets 100%)
It could be a bust Quaddie if the favourites all salute, but I’ve found negatives in Petracca, don’t have much between Renewal and Draw A Dream and while Eyethink is the one to beat, it would not surprise me if Solesseo Matuca or Rubins Plight caused an upset. Happy to take Amore Vita one out.
MULTI
RACE 6 No. 1 PETRACCA
RACE 9 No. 3 AMORE VITA
RACE 11 No. 3 ROCKINWITHATTITUDE
($80)
Petracca is flying and lands the ace gate, Amore Vita appears close to unbeatable given the way she’s performed this series and Rockinwithattitude draws to get the job done once again at the elite level.
BEST VALUE
RACE 2 No.13 QUEEN OF QUEBEC ($20 WIN and $40 PLACE)
The draw is challenging, but she was terrific closing off sharply to win her Vicbred heat at Bendigo. And while this race will map differently, I think the Queen represents tremendous value at double-figure odds.
EARLY QUADDIE
4,12/10,13/12/2,4,13 ($24 gets 200%)
Leg 1: The draw is a big advantage for The Locomotive, who should lead. Main danger Gotfeelingsyouknow never looked likely to be beaten first-up in the heat. He is still on the up.
Leg 2: The Chris Svanosio-trained stablemates are the two to include, being favourite Lady Adelia and the exciting Queen Of Quebec.
Leg 3: Arcee Phoenix is my anchor. He’s developing into a serious trotter.
Leg 4: Stormryder has the barrier draw advantage and the gate speed to lead again. He can carve out the sectionals of a top juvenile. War Dan Buddy is the only horse to have defeated Stormryder and he draws well. While the barrier draw hurts, Kingman is too good to leave out.
MAIN QUADDIE
1,9,11/1/3,6/2,7,11 ($36 gets 200%)
With $50k seeded and a projected $250k final pool, the TAB Quaddie looks an attractive betting option.
Leg 1: Sahara Breeze gets an ideal draw. Has gate speed and can lead, but is just as capable, if not better, with a sit. Soho Seraphine produced an excellent performance without cover last week. She can make her own luck as can Joyful, who rounds out my top three chances. Sweet Bella is unbeaten in seven starts, but this is clearly her toughest test.
Leg 2: Petracca went like a jet last week. Should lead. He is a rising star.
Leg 3: The Emma Stewart-trained fillies Renewal and Draw A Dream were dominant in their semi-final wins last week and are clearly the main chances.
Leg 4: Eyethink continues to get better and won with authority again last week. Has early speed and will press forward. Solesseo Matuca, with a better draw, and Rubins Plight are the main dangers.
