Doomben Race 6

High Wind (1) is the pick of these runners but only a betting prospect at $2.80 or above, with The Pinkerton (6) & Usena (9) next best from Studly Rooster (5), though it’s tough for The ‘Cock to mount a solid case for anything knocking the favourite off.

High Wind’s last start second on the Sunshine Coast over 1800m was his best run of the campaign and The ‘Cock expects the step up to 2240m will only see further improvement, with his best ratings last campaign continuing deep in the preparation. He should sit on the speed and prove hard to reign in, rating a $2.80 chance for The ‘Cock.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock is very content putting all his chips for this race into High Wind at the current $3.20 overs, with the other three listed runners as deep as you need to be looking for any exotics.

Moonee Valley Race 8

Knight Commander (9) rates as the best chance in this one for The ‘Cock despite his inconsistencies, with Believing (8) the biggest danger ahead of Strykinglee (7). The winner should be coming from these three.

Knight Commander’s four career starts have had a bit of everything, with two romping wins on debut and then last time out at Geelong separated by two poor runs in between. The two performances that saw him win both rated well enough to win this race easily and The ‘Cock expects DK Weir will have him primed for his first metro run, rating him a $3.40 top chance.

Believing was slightly below par when running fourth at Flemington last time out but The ‘Cock doesn’t think he enjoys the straight like he will the Moonee Valley circuit tonight. Will challenge if he gets back to the level of the high rating Sandown run prior and is one who has to be monitored at the near double-figure odds.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• Knight Commander & Believing are both ticking boxes for The ‘Cock at their $3.60 & $9.50 respective prices and he would be taking a proportional stake on each to close out the evening, with Strykinglee going in all exotics.

Caulfield Race 9

The ‘Cock likes Morton Fork (4) as his top rater and bet of the race here, heading Widgee Turf (6) & Plot The Course (8) who is a strong double-figure chance in his own right. This trio has a gap to the others, with Sohool (10) & Jacquinot Bay (2) the best of the rest.

Mortons Fork lost his way a touch after winning the Sandown Guineas as a three-year-old but looks to have returned in great order this prep, registering two very tight seconds in Sydney from his two outings back. The last start run behind Dreamforce rates far superior to anything in this field, and while he does like to get back, there should be enough pace in the small field to mitigate any issue, rating a $3 top chance for The ‘Cock.

Plot The Course ran a strong race behind Widgee Turf last time out here over the mile and only missed the gold by a whisker, but he gets an advantageous weight swing after that and tends to get better with racing which bodes well third up today. He is currently almost twice The ‘Cock’s marked price of $6.50 so is a good value selection.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock is licking his lips at the value on offer for both Mortons Fork & Plot The Course at $3.80 & $12 respectively and will not hesitate to have a proportional stake on both of these runners. The favourite Widgee Turf is a dual acceptor currently but needs to be respected in any exotics should he run here, but he is under the odds at $2.80 and can be left alone.