Moonee Valley (Fri)

Race 5 – 8:30pm

A very open race to start the quaddy, but Camila Lucinda (12) & Kyzamba (9) rate as the top 2 and both provide some value in current markets at $4.4+ & $6+. La Renarde (13) & World of Hope (5) rate as the biggest dangers to beat the top 2.  

World Of Hope did as The ‘Cock suggested he could and toppled the top two at $4.50, with the other noted runners finishing back in the field.

Race 6 – 9:00pm

Another Diamond (1) rates as a $2.5 top chance for The ‘Cock & looks great value in current markets with double those odds available.  For A Song (14) is the biggest danger, with Sallybrook (11) a runner to watch at double figure odds who could surprise.

Another Diamond was well supported from $6 into $4.60 but failed to fire as The ‘Cock expected, with $35 winner Our Sevira blowing plenty of punters out of the water.

Race 7 – 9:30pm

A very even race & not one The ‘Cock is keen to get involved in. Sohool (16), He’s A Moral (2) & Epic Moment (11) rate as the top 3 , but The ‘Cock would suggest betting around Epic Moment at the current $4.40 quote which looks big unders & the others provide better value. (Just Hifalutin the next best with scratchings considered)

This one was decimated by key scratchings which made an already tough betting race even harder, though the $3.80 winner Just Hifalutin was featued in The ‘Cock’s numbers.

Race 8 – 10:00pm

So Far Sokool (7) rates clearly on top & it’s hard to find anything that can beat her, but she’s well found at $1.60 in current markets so doesn’t look to be a great betting prospect. Star Patriot (9) & Loreto (11) look the best chances of an upset.

This one went just as The ‘Cock expected with So Far Sokool accounting for all opponents and running away a $1.65 winner.

Doomben (Fri)

Race 4 – 5:10pm

This looks a clear race in 3 for The ‘Cock, with Darktown Strutter (2), Bat A Kat (3) & Bold Xaavi (1) the only winning chances. Of the 3 runners, Darktown Strutter rates as the clear top selection & The ‘Cock has him rated at $1.80.

The ‘Cock’s top selection Darktown Strutter was a late scratching but unsurprisingly his next best two finished first and second respectively, with Bat A Kat the $2.30 winner.

Race 5 – 5:50pm

A poor betting race with some very bad horses set to fight out the finish. The ‘Cock couldn’t possibly have any confidence betting here given the calibre of horses, but he thinks the only 5 that can win are Son Of A Brut (3), Beau Isa (1), Another Cocktail (6), Classy Ruby (10) & Pillara (11).   

A race which barely met The ‘Cock’s already very low expectations, but more importantly his top selection Son Of A Brut was the winner at $5.70.

Race 6 – 6:22pm

The ‘Cock is happy to bet around the favourite I Am Impinge (9) who looks well under the odds at $2.30. Tornado Of Souls (6) & Femme Fireball (13) both rate ahead of the favourite & look great bets at their current prices ($5.5 & $10+).

The ‘Cock’s decision to take on the favourite I Am Impinge was a sound one, with the $1.90 chance bombing out for 6th, as The ‘Cock’s $10+ pick Femme Fireball saluted for Peacock followers.

Race 7 – 6:52pm

Criquette (7) looks to be the runner to beat if it’s primed 1st up, so look for a push in the betting to get a gauge on its fitness levels. Snitzel’s Joy (10), Mr Strachan (3) & Teeroy’s Tribute (8) are the next best but The ‘Cock thinks they’ll all struggle to beat Criquette if it’s near its best.

Another race decimated by scratchings again, and the winner Love Me Baby came from outside The ‘Cock’s selections.

Pakenham

Race 6 – 4:00pm

A low confidence betting race to start the quaddy, with The ‘Cock assessing that there’s little over a length separating his top 6 runners. Mr Gustavo (10), Silvera (11) & Our Bottino (4) rate as his top 3, but this isn’t a race to get too involved in.

Mr Gustavo was a strong winner last start & should appreciate the significant weight drop here. Given the evenness of the race, he does provide some value at anything better than $5.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock will be keeping the legs shut on this race & playing it wide to start the quaddy, but for those looking to have a bet he suggests having a proportional stake on both Mr Gustavo & Our Bottino who both provide some value at current quotes of $8 & $16 respectively.

A boilover in the first leg with Master Reset scoring at 20/1 and The ‘Cock’s top two Mr Gustavo and Our Bottino bothmissing the money.

Race 7 – 4:40pm

The ‘Cock has a clear top 3 runners here, which doesn’t include the $3.8 Oncidium Ruler (3) who looks under the odds at the current quote. Grey Lion (2) & Dandy Gent (4) rate on top, with Goodwood Zodiac (9) the next best. These 3 all look capable of producing runs which rate better than anything else in the field.

Dandy Gent & Goodwood Zodiac both produced runs last start which were better than they appear on paper. They both get a big weight relief here & look tremendous value.

Grey Lion looks the class runner of the field & his run 2 starts back wins this race. His Ballarat Cup run was fair & there were excuses, though he rates on top The ‘Cock has him marked a $3.20 chance so the market has him assessed correctly.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• Though The ‘Cock has Grey Lion rated on top, he wouldn’t be backing him to win at anything less than $3.50. Instead, he suggests having a proportional stake on both Dandy Gent & Goodwood Zodiac at $10+ & $8+ who are the value bets in the race.

Punters were savaged by another blowout as Like A Carousel franked the form to win at 25/1, with the $6,182 trifecta payout almost enough to get you a room at the Peacock Manor midweek. Dandy Gent was well supported into $6.50 to run fourth, while Goodwood Zodiac hardly featured.

Race 8 – 5:20pm

This is a low confidence betting race, with not much splitting The ‘Cock’s top 5 runners. Wall Street Wolf (8), Grande Rosso (3), Burning Front (1), Dan Zephyr (4) & Willi Willi (7) all look capable of winning.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• With very little splitting The ‘Cock’s top 5 who are all currently priced at less than $10, it’s not a race that The ‘Cock has any confidence in & there doesn’t look to be any clear value plays. He’d suggest not betting on anything to win & including all listed runners in exotics.

This was rightfully noted as a bad betting race and was another one won by the roughies, with Amadeus making a mockery of punters to win at $12.50 after opening at $26.

Race 9 – 5:55pm

A wide open betting race to end the day, where The ‘Cock has Bettyrae Ruby (15), Star Major (11) & Imperator Augustus (1) rated his top 3 but all runners carry some queries.

Bettyrae Ruby has had an obscure leadup to this race, dropping back from 2600m with a 4 week freshen up but is definitely a runner to watch. Her best run in the past 12 months came when dropping back to the mile at Flemington in May, so there’s some evidence that her preparation could suit here. The ‘Cock will be watching closely & thinks she looks value at any price over $8.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• This is a very low confidence betting race for The ‘Cock & the runner to watch Bettyrae Ruby carries some definite queries. He’d suggest having a small bet on her, but playing the race wide in the quaddy.

The ‘Cock was right to advise a wide play here, with Bettyrae Ruby well off the mark as Parallel World put the final nail in the coffin to win at $9.30, producing a Melbourne quaddie that paid $91,363.

Rosehill

Race 6 – 3:40pm

This is a high confidence betting race for The ‘Cock, with Flow (9) rated on top & New Universe (7) the only runner that looks capable of beating him.

Flow produced a big run 1st up & his previous form suggests he’ll improve on that 2nd up over the 1400m here. If he produces anything near what The ‘Cock expects, he’s a clear length on top of anything else.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock will be putting the feathers out here and backing Flow to win at any price over $2.50. If he’s off his game, New Universe looks the clear best of the rest so he’d only be including those 2 in the quaddy.

The ‘Cock was off the mark in this one, with his confidence in Flow and New Universe proving too great as they ran third and fourth behind the $12.50 winner Invinzabeel.

Race 7 – 4:20pm

This is another high confidence betting race for The ‘Cock, with Single Bullet (12) & Bon Amis (13) rating as his clear top 2 with Test The World (11) the best of the others.

Single Bullet has 3 straight 2nd placings, but the runs have all rated very highly & he measures up very well against this field. He looks very well suited with the featherweight 51kg against the older horses & is the better chance of The ‘Cock’s top 2 despite him being almost double the price.

Bon Amis mapped awkwardly last start & can be excused for the slight drop in rating. If he can return to the levels of his 1st 2 runs this prep, he’s right in the mix but The ‘Cock wouldn’t take less than $4.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock will be looking to back Single Bullet to win given the odds differential to his 2nd selection Bon Amis, who he would only back if $4+ was available. If looking to play the race aggressively, you could include only the 2 runners in your quaddy.

Bon Amis was the best performer of The ‘Cock’s selections, running second after being well supported from $4.50 into $2.10. Single Bullet was a heavy drifter on raceday from $4 out to $8 and performed accordingly for a disappointing tenth.

Race 8 – 5:00pm

Brave Song (15) rates as The ‘Cock’s runner to beat if he’s anywhere near his best 1st up, with Drachenfels (6) & Man of Choice (3) the next best.

Brave Song has only the 3 career starts to his name, but he looks to have plenty of talent & if he can resume at the level he produced last prep he should win the race. The uncertainty that comes with a runner who is 1st up with only 3 career starts makes this a low confidence betting race for The ‘Cock however & he’s well found in the market at around the $3.5 mark.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock is very respectful of his top rater, but given the uncertainty in the race he’d be more than happy to leave this race alone from a win bet perspective.

After the scratching of Brave Song, The ‘Cock’s next best selection Drachenfels proved a good choice as he ran out a $5.20 winner.

Race 9 – 5:40pm

The ‘Cock has Bastia (14), Cellarman (5) & Carluca (12) rated as his top 3 with Mercurial Lad (15) the next best particularly if the track gets to a heavy. He’s happy to bet around The Avenger (13) at the $4.5 mark whose 1st up run was poor & previous best runs still rate just below what will win here.

Bastia won well when resuming last start at Port Mac & history suggests he’ll go better 2nd up, so he looks incredibly well suited here where he’ll sit right on the speed from barrier 5. The ‘Cock has him rated a $3.80 chance so there’s plenty of value at current prices.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock is very keen to back Bastia to win given he’s big overs with $8 currently available. The others listed can all win if he’s off his game so include them in exotics & also bet right around The Avenger at $4.50.

Bastia was a very good bet for Peacock followers despite failing to get the chocolates, coming in from $8 to $3.30 and running second to King Darcy, who came from outside The ‘Cock’s numbers to win at $7.40. Taking on The Avenger proved a masterstroke as he finished out of the money.

Doomben (Sat)

Race 6 – 4:28pm

Kirini (12) rates marginally on top, ahead of Singing (6), Perilous Love (13) & Sheza Lily (4) in a low confidence and even betting race.

Kirini produced a near career peak performance when winning last start, but The ‘Cock thinks she could have some more improvement in her which rates her as clearly the horse to beat. She’s rated a $3.80 top selection, but this is an even race with any of those listed capable of beating her.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock suggests backing Kirini to win at any price over $3.80, but given the multiple runners he has capable of beating her he wouldn’t be betting too heavily. Include all listed runners in exotics.

The ‘Cock’s top four made up a first four which paid $442, with Singing claiming the win at double figure odds from of Kirini, who drifted from $6 to $8.50 on raceday.

Race 7 – 5:08pm

Zumbellina (4) rates marginally ahead of Notonyourlife (5) with Our Beebee (7), Sylpheed (8) & Sheiswhatsheis (3) the next best. The ‘Cock is fairly confident the winner will come from these listed, but it’s not a race he’s overly keen to bet in.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock isn’t overly keen to bet in this race, with his top rated runner Zumbellina coming into the race with a big question mark given her last start failure. Notonyourlife looks the best value of the top rated runners & The ‘Cock could make a case for having a small bet on her at $6+. Include all listed runners in exotics.

As anticipated the $13 winner Sylpheed came from The ‘Cock’s numbers, and his caution around his top rated runners was justified, as Zumbelina and Not On Your Life missed the money.

Race 8 – 5:48pm

The ‘Cock is opening the shoulders right up here, with Crack Me Up his clear top rated runner. Zahspeed (12) looks the best of the others, but he’ll need Crack Me Up to fail for him to win.

Crack Me Up produced a run 3rd up last prep That The ‘Cock has assessed would win this race by 1-2 lengths & he’s going even better this campaign, so he could be ready to produce a career peak which will put a big gap on this field. The ‘Cock has him marked a $1.70 chance.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock is betting right up in this race & backing Crack Me Up at any price over $1.80. Either take him one out in the quaddy, or include Zahspeed for security.

A disappointing result in this one with Crack Me Up failing to fire and running fourth, one behind Zahspeed who ran well for third at $9.

Race 9 – 6:25pm

This looks a great betting race, The ‘Cock has Privlaka (5) & Desert General (10) rated as his top 2 & both provide terrific value in current markets. Brooklyn Storm (4) & Bourbon Road (18) rate as the next best with the $4.4 favourite Manaya (14) capable of winning, but well under the odds.

Privlaka was a strong winner last start and should be able to show improvement from that run which puts him as clearly the horse to beat & The ‘Cock has him rated $3.50.

Desert General produced a strong 2nd last start off a freshen up and should be better for the run, which puts him just behind the Privlaka but certainly capable of an upset. The ‘Cock has him marked a $6.50 chance.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock is giving a strong push for Privlaka to win with almost double his rated price available currently. The ‘Cock is also making a case for a small stake on Desert General at $7+ for those looking to play the race less aggressively.

The ‘Cock’s top shot Privlaka ensured Peacock followers finished on a high in Brisbane, scoring at $3.40 after being crunched in from $7.

Morphettville

Race 5 – 4:11pm

Fancy Rumble (1) rates clearly on top after a strong last start performance with Golden Lustre (8) the biggest danger. The lightly raced Extreme Witness (5) & Wallace Street (3) could be the big improvers.

Fancy Rumble has only had 6 starts & hit a big career peak when 1st up last time out. If she can hold that form, it’s hard to see anything beating her but it was a big peak & with limited career form to compare to The ‘Cock finds it hard to be too bullish on her repeating those efforts.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock has Fancy Rumble rated $1.80, but given the uncertainty of it’s formlines this is not a race he’s too keen to get involved in. She’s definitely the only runner he suggests backing, but you may want to play the race wide in the quaddy.

The ‘Cock’s caution was wise here, with Fancy Rumble drifing from $2.40 to $3.90 on raceday and disappointing, as Kabini upset them to score at $12.60.

Race 6 – 4:51pm

The ‘Cock has assessed this as a very poor betting race with not much splitting his top rated runners which include Ace Attack (5), Spy Decoder (3) & Picture Me Rolling (9). Cosmic Charm (8) & Jet Express (4) are the next best & any of these runners could win.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• With very little splitting The ‘Cock’s top rated runners & all fairly well found in the market, this is a race he’ll be steering clear of and suggests playing it wide in exotics too.

The winner Picture Me Rolling came from The ‘Cock’s selections and paid $4.70 and was the extent of his interest in this race.

Race 7 – 5:31pm

This is a very even race with The ‘Cock assessing at that there are at least 5 genuine winning chances, but there’s some real value to be found on some runners which have been underestimated by the market. Fox Hall (8), Magnus Knight (10), Desert Lashes (5), Steel Frost (7) & Counter Pulse (4) rate as his top selections.

Magnus Knight has been racing well in lower grades, winning his past 3, but The ‘Cock thinks that form measures up and with $30+ available in current markets he could surprise a few.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• This is a very difficult race with multiple winning chances, so it’s not one to get too involved in and definitely play wide in exotics. But given the evenness of the race, The ‘Cock suggests splitting your stake across the runners listed at double figure odds including Magnus Knight & Counterpulse who do represent significant value at their current quotes.

The ‘Cock had the $3.20 winner Steel Frost in his numbers, though was off the mark with roughies Magnus Knight & Countrpulse who both ran to market expectation.

Race 8 – 6:08pm

This is a near impossible race, with The ‘Cock assessing that almost every runner aside from Segregation (3), Cool Maverick (14) & Last Bullet (1) being a genuine winning chance. His top 3 are Autumn Spirit (11), Infinity Queen (2) & Trupt (4) but it’s a very low confidence race & not one to get too involved in.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock couldn’t possibly make a strong case for any runner in this race, though Autumn Street has as strong credentials as any, so does provide some value with $15+ available. Play this race very wide in exotics.

Not a lot of Peacock involvement here, with the winner Gogo Grace coming in from $6.50 to score well at $2.50.

Ascot

Race 6 – 6:35pm

A very difficult race to start the Ascot quaddy with much of the field resuming off breaks creating plenty of uncertainty in The ‘Cock’s assessments. Arafura (9), My Laina (13), Scalpel (4), Wheres Wally (3), Regal Moon (14) & Kramden (1) rate as the best chances but this is a race to play very cautiously.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock has very little interest in betting in this race given the low confidence on his assess ratings & the multiple winning chances, so he’ll be avoiding win bets & recommends playing it very wide in exotics.

Another good decision by The ‘Cock to play this one wide, with the winner Ambiente getting the job done at $31 and setting up big quaddie payout.

Race 7 – 7:19pm

The ‘Cock has Falcon Crest (2) & Trap For Fools (8) rated as his clear top 2, but Shinta Mani (5) & Zarantz (1) both have a winning chance as well. The market has the top 2 priced at less than $2.80, so there’s no significant value available making it an average betting race.

Trap For Fools has won 6 of his past 7 so comes into this race in terrific form, but The ‘Cock has assessed the recent ratings of Falcon Crest to be a higher quality despite being beaten in his past 3. The market may have over reacted to the picket fence formline of the favourite, so Falcon Crest definitely looks the better bet of the 2.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock has Falcon Crest rated marginally on top & has him assessed as a $2.40 chance, so he does provide marginal value in current markets but it’s hard to make too strong a case for him. The others listed aren’t hopeless, so it may be worth including all in the quaddy & hoping one of the outsiders gets up.

The ‘Cock’s noted Trap For Fools was a leading chance and continued the hot streak to be a $2.30 winner here, coming in ahead of Falcon Crest who ran third.

Race 8 – 7:50pm

The ‘Cock has Black Heart Bart (1) marked clearly as the horse to beat with It’s Somewhat (2), Tom Melbourne (4) & Life Less Ordinary (8) the best of the others.

Black Heart Bart is definitely 1-2 lengths below where he was at this time last year but as he showed with a strong 2nd last start in the Railway, he doesn’t need to be racing at his career best to win a G1 in Perth. He was beaten a nose last start, but the rise to 1800m & change to WFA conditions are both big positives & barring something going wrong, he’ll win this race & rates a $2.40 chance for The ‘Cock.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock has Black Heart Bart rated a $2.40 favourite, so he’s happy to open up the feathers and bet aggressively on him to win at anything greater than that price. The others listed could win if he’s off his game, so you could include those in your quaddy or take BHB one out if you wanted to take a bigger percentage.

Suffice to say The ‘Cock, and most others, got this one completely wrong. BHB was nowhere to be seen after being put through the fence early, Life Less Ordinary was near last & Tom Melbourne even missed the money. Pounamu was the $23 winner.

Race 9 – 8:30pm

An incredibly open race to end the day with not much splitting the top 10 or so runners, however The ‘Cock has Wrinkly (2), Come On Board (7) & Great Again (13) rated as his best 3.

Recommended Betting Strategy:

• The ‘Cock may well put the feet up for this last race of the day, with so many chances making it a poor race to get involved in. Come On Board does have as strong a chance as anything and with $10+ available, he’s the best bet in a bad race. Play it very wide otherwise.

Top rated pick Wrinkly closed the day out on a high note as a $4.80 winner, although The ‘Cock was content staying largely away from this race. Come On Board received some market support but ran well back in the field.