Canterbury

Race 5 – 8:15pm

The ‘Cock doesn’t have any interest in this race given how tough the speed map is to predict, as a host of horses should be vying for the front in a small field, along with the fact some of the key runners have question marks hanging over them as they resuming from breaks. Prince Mayted (2), Wide Acclaim (1), All Carisma (3) & Cadogan (4) rate as The ‘Cock’s best four, but the winner could easily come from elsewhere so stay out of it.

Never a race to look to closely at but The ‘Cock had $3.50 winner All Charisma in his leading chances to kick off the Friday night proceedings.

Race 6 – 8:45pm

Soothing (4) rates narrowly ahead of Star Aspiration (9) & Geneteau (3) at the pointy end of this one for The ‘Cock, and he fully expects the winner will come from these top three so look no further.

Soothing has improved with each of her three runs this campaign and is still only lightly raced with just the five starts under her belt, so The ‘Cock anticipates the upward trajectory should only continue and see her comfortably account for this field. She is the clear best bet of the race at anything upwards of $3.

Star Aspiration is the value pick to consider from this race as half of The ‘Cock’s next best pair who rate closely behind Soothing. With some strong provincial form leading in and the value differential between her and Geneteau at $17 and $4 respectively, she is clearly the superior investment option of the rest.

While top rater Soothing didn’t quite keep up the same level of improvement of recent runs and finished just outside the placings, fellow leading selection Genetau picked up the scraps and saluted at $3.70.

Race 7 – 9:15pm

This is another even race where The ‘Cock won’t be leaning heavily in any direction, with Tennessee Hussy (8) rating on top but only just ahead of Hammond Lane (4), Oltre Finito (7), Pianissimo (3) & Sculptures (9). As such, he would be more than content sitting this one out.

Tennessee Hussy’s top billing comes on the back of her consecutive high rating runs which includes the run at this track and trip two starts back, where she was only a half-length behind the winner in a blanket finish. She should be holding that form as a minimum which will go very close to winning this.

Tennessse Hussy was backed into $6 in some circles but didn’t justify the support or The ‘Cock’s faith and finished at the tail end of the field, with Franceso a $4.80 winner from outside The ‘Cock’s numbers.

Race 8 – 9:45pm

The ‘Cock has very little splitting Fireman Sam I Am (10), Lord Macau (5), Sensacova (11), More Moet (3), Mate Story (13) & Rex Bell (7) at the top of this final race, and in accordance with that logjam at the top he would be playing this conservatively.

Fireman Sam I Am is a strong prospect at huge odds here after wins in Canberra and last start at Gosford, which have rated relatively highly and measure right up to what The ‘Cock expects will win this race. With The ‘Cock’s initial top pick already scratched it has opened this right up for him at the $34 overs.

Rex Bell is the other key runner to monitor first up today after a year on the sidelines following his move across from the UK. He was never far away back in eight starts back in the motherland and The ‘Cock would certainly respect him today if there is any money about, so keep an eye on the markets.

The ‘Cock had a rare almighty swing and miss at this one, with all of his top raters finishing at the tail end of the field as Queen Of Heights scored at $7.

Flemington

Race 1 – 1:00pm

This is a very even and competitive race to kick off the day at HQ, with Mutarakem (11) rating on top and looking a very strong bet at considerable early overs when compared to The ‘Cock’s marked price. Willi Willi (8), Royal Ace (6), Guizot (4) & Archery Peak (7) are the best of the rest behind him, but the remaining runners are not far off either.

Mutarakem has two wins on the bounce at Sandown coming into this one which have both rated right at the level The ‘Cock anticipates will take the chocolates in this one. He will get the perfect run throughout and rates a $5 leading chance, with the current quote more than twice that.

Mutarakem was well supported in the betting and had The ‘Cock licking his lips when looking fairly well poised throughout the run, but he was never able to get a clear go at it when it mattered most and finished back in the pack. The ‘Cock’s next best duo Willi Willi & Royal Ace finished first and second.

Race 2 – 1:35pm

Goodwood Zodiac (3) rates marginally ahead of Last Week (8) but looks a very strong bet given the price differential between the two at $4.60 and $2.80 respectively. The ‘Cock had Serenade The Stars (4) marked as his next best but expect the leading two are going to be very hard to beat.

Goodwood Zodiac has rated highly in his last two showings for minor placings at Caulfield and then Sandown ten days ago, with both runs over 2400m and hitting a level that should prove hard to beat if he can replicate it today. As the recent form shows he is established over the trip and looks set to get a soft lead in this one, with The ‘Cock marking him a $2.80 top pick.

Goodwood Zodiac got the soft lead The ‘Cock predicted but spent too many petrol tickets early in the run and faded for fifth, as the favourite Last Week justified the short price and won impressively.

Race 3 – 2:10pm

The ‘Cock has got Civil Disobedience (1) marked as the horse to beat given he is already proven over the 2000m journey against plenty of rivals who are going to have to find plenty of improvement. He is already well found in the market at $2.40 but rates just ahead of the key danger Mahamedeis (4) & value chance Almighty Crown (7). Given their current $6.50 & $17 respective quotes, consider a small bet on these two if looking to back against the favourite but otherwise let this race go.

Civil Disobedience was a last start winner at the track and trip so has the obvious advantage of being proven under these conditions unlike most of the others in the field. That said, The ‘Cock isn’t enticed by the $2.40 and will happily let it go in favour of a no bet race or a small play on the key dangers.

Top pick Civil Disobedience came home well but was unable to stay with The ‘Cock’s prefered betting options Mahamedeis & Almighty Crown, who were both well backed on the day and fought out the finish as The ‘Cock nailed the trifecta.

Race 4 – 2:45pm

This one is a wide open race where Shenandoah (3) rates narrowly ahead of all others in the field as a $4.50 top selection to invest in, but this really is a race where almost anything can win including the $101 chance One For Later (10). So Splendid (8), Addison (2), Royal Applause (1), River Goddess (9) & Stormy Shore (5) are The ‘Cock’s next best rating runners, though the $2.40 unders on Addison are easily left alone.

Suffice to say there were a few happy followers when One For Later just kept on rolling in front of this one and came in after being as long as $301 with some bookies prior to the race.

Race 5 – 3:20pm

Krusty (6) & Vungers (13) are marked equally on top of this race but both have a few question marks to overcome to win, rating in ahead of Tan Tat Trusting (12) & Sohool (3) as the next best duo. The ‘Cock struggles to see a winner coming from outside these four runners but has got no strong lean towards any particular runner.

Not an inspiring betting race but as expected The ‘Cock’s listed numbers accounted for another winner, with Sohool a $6 winner as the trifecta paid a lazy $3,186.

Race 6 – 4:00pm

The ‘Cock likes his top rater Manolo Blahniq (15) as a strong betting option here as a $3.80 leading chance, sitting ahead of Sheriff John Stone (11), Just Hifalutin (13) & with Handsome Thief (6) not far behind them, though he will need to improve rapidly and currently sits at big unders at $3.50.

Manolo Blahniq’s two most recent runs at Caulfield have both rated well and he has shown himself more than capable up this Flemington straight previously by running fairly in the Group One Coolmore fifteen months ago. The ‘Cock expects the move to Flemington here could spur further improvement and with the aid of a big weight drop on that last start run for a whisker third, he rates well over the odds at $7.

Handsome Thief turned in an eye-catching run last start at Caulfield when settling a long way back and flashing home to run a tight third, though The ‘Cock thinks the market has overreacted to that run despite how aesthetically pleasing it may have been. He is certainly a good winning chance but The ‘Cock is more confident in the form lines of those rated ahead and he has to take on the $3.50 tag as things stand.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• Manolo Blahniq is clearly the bet of the race at that $7 quote which is nearly double The ‘Cock’s rated price, and he would be very content to focus his attention on him in win markets. Include the other three runners listed above in your quaddie to pad this first leg out around him.

No shame in the run of The ‘Cock’s pick Manolo Blahniq as he finished a tight fifth after a bunch of runners flashed down his outside in the final 50m, with Just Hifalutin heading them all home as a $3.70 winner after being well supported in betting.

Race 7 – 4:40pm

Nature Strip (4) looks close to a good thing in this one and rates on top for The ‘Cock, with Prezado (3) marked just over a length behind him and with a huge gap to all others.

Nature Strip has had two well-spaced runs since the start of November that have produced extremely high rating wins at The Valley and then last start at Sandown. With those wins having a combined margin of 11 lengths, it’s safe to say he is going well and it is very difficult to make a case for anything to beat him as a $1.70 top chance.

Prezado rated strongly in his last run when winning down the straight here on Cup Day, which was at a similar standard to the Moonee Valley run of Nature Strip two starts back. Only very lightly raced with four starts under his belt so could well improve, though probably needs to find another two lengths to topple the top rater.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock won’t be launching into the $1.50 current top quote for Nature Strip, but should anything closer to $2 come on offer he would be showing all his feathers and some. Can easily justify having him one out but Prezado has to be respected and is as far as you need to look for security.

This one went nicely to script as Nature Strip justified the dominant favouritism to beat Prezado home by the length margain that The ‘Cock expected.

Race 8 – 5:20pm

The ‘Cock doesn’t like this race at all and has got nothing splitting It’z Invincible (8), Lord Of The Sky (3), Amber Sky (2), Husson Eagle (6), Thermal Current (5) & Flamberge (1) at the top end of his ratings, and that doesn’t leave many to rule out.

It’z Invincible is the pick of them on the back of some very solid South Australian form, which sees him still yet to miss the money after fourteen career outings. The last start win over 1000m at Morphettville rated highly and he can certainly produce to a similar level today which will be enough put him in the finish in a tight race, rating a $4.60 top chance.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• Given the extremely tight nature of this race, The ‘Cock’s key advice would be to include all listed numbers in a conservative quaddie leg. Given that the $10 top quote for It’z Invincible is more than double The ‘Cock’s rated price, consider a small bet on him if you’re determined to have something on win markets.

This one turned out to be just as competitive as The ‘Cock had it rated, with barely a length splitting the first five across the line as Rock ‘n’ Gold won as the longest priced runner in the field at $18.60.

Race 9 – 5:55pm

Wise Hero (3) is the top rater for The ‘Cock in this and is clearly the one to be backing, with Malaise (10) & Star Stealer (8) the key dangers. The winner should be coming from this trio so play aggressively. (EDIT Post Scratchings – The ‘Cock would be content leaving the remaining two runners to bring the quaddie home but look towards #12 & 11 if wanting security)

Wise Hero produced a strong win over this track and trip on New Year’s Day having stepped up from 1000m the start prior, with that effort a career peak run that can certainly be replicated today. He should get to the front and the speed around him only looks moderate so looks capable of another start to finish win, rating a $3.50 top pick.

Recommended Betting Strategy:                                         

• Wise Hero is the clear pick of the bunch in this race and provides the best value for money of the top trio by some way at the overs of $4.20, compared to $4.60 & $6 for Malaise & Star Stealer. Respect those two challengers and include them alongside Wise Hero in a skinny final leg play.

Wise Hero was extremely well supported from The ‘Cock’s early price of $4.20 to open a $2.70 favourite and looked like finishing the day on the perfect note at the 250m mark, only to be run down late by The ‘Cock’s nect best Maliase.

Randwick

Race 6 – 3:40pm

Xebec (5) is on top of this one for The ‘Cock and the best bet of the race at $4 or above, with the High Opinion (9), Zourkhan (6) & Napoleon (10) rating as the next best trio.

Xebec’s most two most recent runs this prep have been very solid for consecutive thirds over the 1600m & 1800m courses here, with this patch of form as good as he has looked since coming out from Ireland. All signs suggest that the step up to 2000m will provide the optimal conditions for him to breakthrough for a win and he is The ‘Cock’s pick of the bunch.

Napoleon turned in a big run for second here over 1600m last time out when fresh as a 60/1 chance and The ‘Cock can easily see him improving second up over more ground. He is a better chance than the market suggests at the $21 top quote and goes in all exotics.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock will be waiting for $4+ before diving into his top rater Xebec as things stand, but there is no doubt he is the leading winning chance of the race and should be respected as so. If the price is right, take a proportional stake on him and Napoleon, with the $20 price tag more than double The ‘Cock’s marked price. Include all four listed runners to kick off your quaddie.

The ‘Cock was waiting for the right price before getting involved with Xebec and in the end was thankful that it didn’t come as he missed the money as Chris Waller trained all of the first four runners home. Carzoff was the winner not included in The ‘Cock’s selections paying $7.50.

Race 7 – 4:20pm

Flow (5) goes in on top of all comers in this one and provides the best betting option in the field at $2.50+. Level Eight (4) is the main dangers and The ‘Cock can’t see the winner coming from anywhere else.

Flow has bookended his three runs back this campaign with a big run for second at Rosehill on return in November and a high rating third last start behind Brave Song & Crafty Cop over 1200m, with a slight regression second-up still far from poor. The ‘Cock has no concerns over his ability at 1400m after he ran third behind some handy types at G3 level in the Sunshine Coast Guineas last campaign and he should be advantaged by settling in front of his major rivals.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• Flow is doing enough to justify an investment at the $2.50 current top price in the small field, though The ‘Cock would be having Level Eight alongside in the quaddie to ensure this second leg goes in the bank.

Not the first time The ‘Cock has enjoyed watching Hugh Bowman flying down the Randwick stretch in royal blue but this was certainly a welcome sight, as Flow ran out a dominant winner after crumbling from the $3.80 early price to $1.70, with next best Level Eight in second.

Race 8 – 5:00pm

This is an incredibly competitive race where The ‘Cock can’t confidently be ruling too many out as feasible winning chances. Faraway Town (11) & Fortensky (5) rate on top and as the leading betting avenues for a small play, but The ‘Cock would not be getting too involved.

Faraway Town is always strong first-up despite not having registered a win in four fresh showings, but the previous three appearances off a spell have rated ahead of what The ‘Cock expects the others to produce. If she’s wound up she could be very hard to beat so be sure to watch for market confidence, with The ‘Cock marking her a $4.80 chance.

Fortensky is typically a miler but won well last start when fresh over 1200m, with that run rating well enough to be in the photo today if replicated. He should find a nice spot on the fence just off the leaders and if there is any improvement second-up you will want to be on him, rating as a $5 chance.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• As mentioned this is a very tight race that should be played as wide as possible in any exotics, but there is enough value around Faraway Town & Fortensky at their current top quotes of $9 and $5.50 respectively to justify a small bet on both.

The ‘Cock’s top pick Faraway Town was as long as $26 in some circles in the days prior to the race but was rightfully smashed in to $5 by the jump and validated the support as another Peacock winner, beating home next best choice Fortensky.

Race 9 – 5:40pm

The ‘Cock has Bye See (9) going in comfortably on top on top of this one and looking like the best bet on the program, holding a good gap to the next best bunch of Queen Misty (7), Sirens Fury (5), Baysa (8) & Maddison Avenue (11).

Bye See remains only lightly raced with two wins and two minors to show for her six career starts, including the last start run here over 1400m that saw her win with a career peak rating. The ‘Cock thinks that level is very sustainable for her going forward, and while this is her first time at the mile she gives every indicated that she will handle it. Drawn out wide but she should find cover just off the leaders and rates a $2.50 top pick.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• Roll up, roll up. Bye See provides the best go of the day at the current $6 quote and indeed at anything upwards of $2.50 and The ‘Cock will be playing it accordingly, clearing the front foot and giving his bank manager something to worry about when another pallet of cash comes through the vault. The ‘Cock is happy to put his balls on the line and have her one out, though conservative plays need to look no further than the other runners listed above who are tough to split.

The ‘Cock had his finger hovering over the speed dial buttuon to the bank as Bye See loomed up to Maddison Avenue at the 300m mark and looked like running over the top, but the leader held on gamely and resigned one of The ‘Cock’s favourites for the day to second. Maddison Avenue was in The ‘Cock’s top chances and paid $31.

Doomben

Race 6 – 4:32pm

Desmons Pride (1) is The ‘Cock’s leading winning chance in this one ahead of Plucky Girl (4), with these two holding a good gap to Courtza King (2) as the best of the rest.

Desmons Pride ran second to Plucky Girl last time out on the Gold Coast and gets a more than handy 4kg swing to help swing the balance of power in his favour here. Expect those two runners will fight it out again and Desmons Pride looks great value at $5 compared to the $3.80 for Plucky Girl.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock will happily take upwards of $4 for Desmons Pride ahead of an investment on Plucky Girl, but she has to be respected as well and goes in alongside the top pick in your quaddie. Very comfortable leaving these two to get the job done in this first leg on their own but Courtza King is the one to look towards if wanting extra security.

The ‘Cock saw this one sweetly as Desmons Pride was able to get the head down first in a very tight finish to win from Courtza King as a $2.90 chance, after key rival Plucky Girl was scratched.

Race 7 – 5:12pm

Expertea (13) & Kirini (2) are The ‘Cock’s top two here and Expertea particularly looks to be a great bet, at vastly superior value at $6 compared to $2.10 for Kirini. Ruling Dynasty (1) is the only one outside these two who rates a mention as the next best but keep this as another shallow leg.

Expertea was a good winner here over 1660m two starts back before jumping to 2200m for the first time last start on the Gold Coast, producing a career peak rating when running third. Given that significant distance jump last time out, The ‘Cock expects she will be better for the run and improve second time out over the trip which should hold her in very good stead against this field.

Kirini has been strong in each of her most recent three outings the precede this, with a win over this same track & trip followed by a tight second here over 2000m and then a last start win on the Gold Coast when getting back up to the 2200m. While that form is good, The ‘Cock couldn’t possibly be having her at the odds on quote against Expertea, whose last run rated as strong as any of Kirinis recent efforts and has got more scope to improve.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock will be showing some feathers on Expertea at those very strong odds of $6 and will have her as his only bet of the race, with Kirini needing to be taken on at the ridiculously short current top price of $2.10 despite being recognised as a leading winning chance. Include them both plus Ruling Dynasty in your quaddie, given the very strong double-figure odds for him.

Another one in the bank as Expertea went from start to finish to win easily at $4.60, with the cock blocked favourite Kirini running well back in the field to top things off.

Race 8 – 5:47pm

The ‘Cock has got Publishing Power (11) marked well on top of this one and though he is not without a query, he certainly looks a strong bet coming down from Toowoomba. The next best bunch of Il Mio Destino (1), Zendaye (12), Oink (4) & Prioritise (10) are tough to assess with mixed form lines but are all capable of winning.

Publishing Power rates as a $3 top chance for The ‘Cock following two completely dominant wins at Toowoomba in his last two starts. These runs have rated considerably better than anything else he had produced in the eleven starts prior so needs to be able to hold close to that level in a metro race at 1200m.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock is happy to put all his eggs into the basket of Publishing Power at the current $3.40 quote and indeed at anything upwards of $3 as he is clearly the standout in the race. Given some skinnier early legs The ‘Cock would be inclined to include each of the four other runners listed above to pad out the quaddie.

All the money was behind The ‘Cock’s top selection here in Publishing Power who was backed $4.40 into nearly odds-on favouritism and had every chance to win, being swarmed by a fast finishing trio in the final 100m as Of The Day ran out a $7 winner from outside The ‘Cock’s numbers, having opened at double that price.

Race 9 – 6:27pm

Happy Hooves (6) is another of The ‘Cock’s top raters who looks like a great betting option at the current $6.50 top quote, with a wall of horses coming in behind him that are headed by Double Superlative (5), Conniving (10), Brigadoon Rise (9) & Miss Kindilan (14).

Happy Hooves rated highly to run second on the Gold Coast two starts back and seemed set to make the solid start to his career even better last time out when he was backed off the map prior to running over this same course. He went too hard too early in the run that day and was nailed on the line, but he had stuck on well and should enjoy a claim today, rating a $4 top pick for The ‘Cock.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• At that $6.50 current top price there is absolutely no going past Happy Hooves in this and The ‘Cock will leave his involvement at that. Ensure that the quaddie goes into the bank by including the four other runners listed above but there will be no need to look any deeper.

Happy Hooves was quite a concerning drifter in the market prior to the race, with the $6.50 quote blowing out to double figures and the run justified the lack of support, finishing just outside the money as Quick Ketch came in at $21 and topped a trifecta which paid $3,155 to blow plenty of punters out of the final quaddie leg.

Morphettville

Race 5 – 4:31pm

Miss Wahoo (6) is the one to beat here and it is very hard for The ‘Cock to make a case for anything beating her, though at the $2.40 top price he is quite content to let her go through to the keeper. Rosewedge (7), Freehearted (3) & Joy Flipper (2) rate as the major dangers to her and The ‘Cock certainly can’t see the winner coming from outside this four.

Miss Wahoo comes in for her sixth career start today after rating very strongly early in her career and then again last start following almost a year in the paddock. She ran out a dominant winner here over 1050m on that occasion and has obviously returned in good order, though The ‘Cock is always wary of horses second up following such a long break.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• Miss Wahoo is The ‘Cock’s leading winning chance of the race but is not one to be buying into at the $2.40 quote given the concerns around her second-up. As such, this can more than easily become a no bet race and a fairly conservative play to kick start the quaddie, with all four listed numbers going on your ticket.

The money only kept coming for The ‘Cock’s top rater Miss Wahoo, who despite some tense moments down the stretch was able to hold off Freehearted to salute at $2.15.

Race 6 – 5:10pm

The ‘Cock likes the look of both of his top raters in Sawaiki (4) & Bakers Dozen (7) in this, with Lord Topper (1) the main danger to them ahead of Weather Channel (5) & Cool Maverick (6) as next best. It’s a medium confidence betting race with no one clear standout prospect, though both of the top two represent value. (EDIT post scratchings – Bakers Dozen remains a betting proposition in this without Sawaiki & Weather Channel in the picture, but replace them with #9 & 2 in your quaddie.)

The two runs back this campaign from Sawaiki have been strong relative to the company that he faces today, and while he will be sitting back on the fence and potentially reliant on speed throughout, it does look like that pace may come to his aid, so with Bowditch a very capable jockey to steer him home The ‘Cock rates him a $4 chance.

Bakers Dozen rated very well for third two starts ago at Gawler following a seven-day backup, and under the same circumstances today after her midfield run last Saturday, The ‘Cock thinks she will be in the photo. Expect she will settle closer to the speed than Sawaiki which could be advantageous and rates only narrowly behind as a $5 chance.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• With The ‘Cock’s top two both providing strong value for money at their $7.50 & $6.50 respective prices, take each of them with a proportional stake and leave your involvement in this race at that. The three dangers behind them are all very viable winning chances in a tight affair and should go into your quaddie to ensure it goes in the bank. (EDIT – as above, take Bakers Dozen at $3.50+ and include #7, 1, 6, 9, 2 on your quaddie ticket)

Scratchings effected The ‘Cock’s view of this race quite considerably but his resultant top pick Bakers Dozen was far from disgraced and couldn’t have done a lot more, running third in a blanket finish as Lord Topper came from The ‘Cock’s numbers to take the chocolates at $6.50.

Race 7 – 5:45pm

The ‘Cock has marked Meridian Star (10) as the leading chance in this race but her inconsistency provides some cause for concern, as Pepper The Pin (5), Oamaru Owl (3) & Swiss Design (11) present as the biggest dangers. Ultimately there is nothing really jumping off the page and this could be one to leave alone entirely.

Meridian Star produced a big run for a very tight third in her only previous South Australian outing at this track two starts ago, and despite a failure at Caulfield last start, The ‘Cock has to respect the stable decision to bring her back across the border for this one. That run two starts ago would be enough to account for this field comfortably and The ‘Cock rates her a $4.80 top selection with the expectation she goes close to that.

Mile High is the early race favourite at $3.70 but The ‘Cock hasn’t rated his most recent performances overly highly when compared to the leading chances in this, and considers those odds well under the odds. He is going to need to hit a career peak fresh from ten weeks out and The ‘Cock doesn’t expect it will happen, with anything less than $4 making him one to take on as things stand.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock would have Meridian Star as his only bet of this race if the price is right at $4.80 plus with the field as it currently is, though he would not be perturbed leaving this alone if need be. Have all four listed runners in your quaddie, with Midnight Storm (8) & Mile High (1) rating as The ‘Cock’s next best for those wanting a more conservative play.

The ‘Cock had taken on the favourite Mile High in favour of Meridian Star here which looked a masterstroke at the 150m mark as the latter looked set to hold off the challenge, though the favourite kicked again to get over the top and win at $2.80.

Race 8 – 6:20pm

This is an even race to close things out as The ‘Cock struggles to split Miss Identified (5), Trueno (12), Frances Boy (6), Patient (13), Brugal Reward (2) & Mystified (8) at the top end. (EDIT post scratchings – add #3 & 10 to your ticket for this final leg)

Miss Identified won well over this track and trip last preparation with a rating that would see her repeat the dose if she can replicate it here. She is capable fresh and provides very strong value for money at anything upwards of $7.

Trueno rates on the same line as Miss Identified here having produced a Balaklava win and a respectable fourth in his most recent two outings, with both hitting levels that would be competitive in this. He is another who provides strong value for money at almost double The ‘Cock’s $7 tag.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• Miss Identified & Trueno are both providing big overs at their $16 & $15 respective prices and The ‘Cock greatly prefers them to any of the race favourites. Have a small stake on both of those runners and include all the numbers listed above to close out another winning quaddie.

This was a blanket finish to end the day in South Australia, with The ‘Cock’s only bet after scratchings Miss Identified running a good race at odds and only narrowly missing the money, as the $8.50 winner Battlecamp came from outside The ‘Cock’s selections.

Ascot

Race 5 – 6:20pm

This is a hard race to have any great confidence in to kick off proceedings out west, but The ‘Cock has got Olivers Travels (6), Western Temple (9) & Gomer Wipple (8) marked as his top three, with Classical Prince (3) as the only other to note not far behind them.

Olivers Travels was a good winner here last Saturday over 1400m and hit the line with enough tenacity to suggest he should produce to a similarly high level at 1500m. Though despite these strong winning credentials, The ‘Cock has him marked a $3 chance so the current $2.70 unders are better off left alone.

Western Temple is first up today with Pike in the saddle and has shown himself capable fresh in the past, although the big run to kick off last campaign came off considerably less time out. If he’s wound up he will certainly prove hard to beat but The ‘Cock can’t be certain he will be after six months out so keep an eye on betting for a better gauge.

Recommended Betting Strategies:

• Olivers Travels is the leading winning chance to respect in this race but The ‘Cock wouldn’t be taking anything less than $3, and with Western Temple unlikely to offer any significant value either The ‘Cock is content letting this race slide altogether. Expect that the four runners listed above will account for the winner so include all of them on your quaddie ticket and move on.

Olivers Travels was a well supported top pick who justified the money to win at $2.25, with The ‘Cock’s next best two Western Temple and Gomer Wipple rounding out the top three.

Race 6 – 7:00pm

Fraternize (9) makes this race a far stronger betting proposition than the previous one by rating well on top of the next biggest danger in A Knight Of Pro (6), who has an equal gap to the next best duo of Klondike Kenny (10) & Gangbuster (4) himself.

Fraternize rated well over this track and trip to run second on return from a nine-month spell last time out, with that run hitting a level which should be winning this if replicated. He maps to get a terrific run on the speed that will help his cause and The ‘Cock has him marked as a $2.50 top pick.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock will be channelling all his attention in this one to Fraternize, who at the current overs of $3.50 provides more than enough value to justify throwing a strong handful of chips on. Could justify taking him one out, but The ‘Cock would prefer to stay alive in this sort of race by including A Knight Of Pro, Klondike Kenny & Gangbuster.

The ‘Cock’s top pick Fraternize turned in a very poor run after being replaced as favourite in the lead up to the race by the eventual winner A Knight Of Pro, who justified the move to pad out this leg of the quaddie and kept Peacock followers alive.

Race 7 – 6:35pm

This is a more even race where The ‘Cock has got Halldora (9) heading all comers and looking like a great bet at the current $13 tag, with Shackleton (11), Cuanzo (4) & Kramden (6) the next best.

Halldora ran a high rating second at Pinjarra last time out which was right in the range that The ‘Cock anticipates will win this, and she looks a great value bet with the aid of the likely gun run on the speed from barrier two.

Royal Missile (10) is on the top line in early betting markets but has to be taken on at the $4 price as she comes in first-up over 1100m, with The ‘Cock expecting she could find them too slick given her best form comes around the 1400m mark and rating her well above the $4 current price.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• Halldora has to be taken at those huge overs of $13, with The ‘Cock rating her almost a third of that price and being quite happy to focus his money on her. The ‘Cock would also be having the other leading chances Shackleton, Cuanzo & Kramden on his quaddie ticket given the relatively strong value available for each of them.

The ‘Cock’s top pick Halldora ran a strong race for third at odds, but it was Royal Missile who took the honours from outside The ‘Cock’s choices at $3.40.

Race 8 – 7:15pm

Swift Platinum (7) is a comfortable top rater here and looks like being a strong bet to close out the day, coming in ahead of Russian River (1) & Sandalwood (11). Behind this trio, you can just about throw a blanket over the rest.

Swift Platinum’s last three outings suggest to The ‘Cock that he is going as well now as he has done all prep, which stretches back to early October but shows no signs of slowing up. Should get a soft lead from pole position and be able to dictate terms throughout, rating a $2.80 top chance for The ‘Cock.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• There’s only one way to finish this day and it involves launching into the $5.50 overs available for Swift Platinum, with nothing else looking like measuring up on ability or from a value for money perspective. Wrap him up with Russian River & Sandalwood to close out the final quaddie for the day.

Swift Platinum didn’t give The ‘Cock the end to the day that had been anticipated as he was well beaten for fifth, with The ‘Cock’s third highest rater Sandalwood winning at $4.20.