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Australia Day Long Weekend Preview

It’s a massive long weekend of racing here in SA with five meetings in four days! 

We will have a look at each meeting and see who’s in form and who might be a sneaky chance for a win this Australia Day long weekend. 

Port Lincoln – Friday 25 January 

The Jockey

There’s not too many jockey’s in better form in this state than Jake Toeroek. Fresh off notching up his first Melbourne Metropolitan win on the weekend, he’s sitting fourth in the SA Jockey Premiership and has dominated at Port Lincoln this season. He’s notched up 12 wins at 23% this season and will have rides in all eight races on Friday. 

The Trainer

The King of Port Lincoln Darryl Carrison is having another dominant season in his home town with 13 wins. He’s four wins ahead of the next best trainer at Port Lincoln this season which is John Dunn on 9 wins. Carrison will only have the two runners on Friday with Storm Voyager in Race 3 and Already Taken in Race 8.

Best Bet

Classy Jack (Race 7)

Drops 10kg from his last start run at Port Lincoln. Is getting on a bit but has been a good horse for a long time.

 

Kingscote – Saturday 26 January

The Jockey

Krystal Bishop rode 8 winners on the island in 2018 at an astounding 47% strike rate. Her closest rival only managed 3 winners across the three island meetings. She’ll have five rides on Saturday including two for trainer Nicole Bruggemann and the pair have been a lethal combination in the past. 

The Trainer

Talking of good strike rates, Dennis O'Leary had 3 runners for 3 winners on the island last year! He’ll saddle up three runners this Saturday with Claudia Lions to ride all three including last year’s Kangaroo Island Cup winner Red Menace. 

Best Bet

Centre Divider (Race 5)

This horse loves this track, with a win, second and fourth to his name here. Ran a huge race at massive odds at Morphettville on Boxing Day and Nicole Bruggemann has an outstanding record at the track.

 

Morphettville Parks – Saturday 26 January

The Jockey

Jamie Kah’s departure from SA has opened up the door for the talented apprentice Raquel Clark to take the reigns as the state’s leading hoop. Clark is currently in second position in the Metropolitan Jockey’s Premiership behind Kah and Clark herself has been in fantastic form. She has seven rides on the card, including three for her bosses, Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas.    

The Trainer

A young trainer making some serious waves in the state this year is Will Clarken. He’s currently sitting third on the Metropolitan Trainers Premiership, just two wins behind the powerful Darren Weir stable who are on top of the table. Clarken has three outstanding chances to add to his tally including the undefeated Poet’s Landing in Race 6.  

Best Bet

Illumicon (Race 3)

The Tony McEvoy trained gelding was plying his trade across the border last preparation and will be looking to claim his third career win first up on Saturday. Has won first-up previously and looks well weighted with the experienced Jason Holder to ride.

 

Murray Bridge – Sunday 27 January

The Jockey

He’s notched up 30 winners already this season and Jason Holder looks to have a strong book of rides on Sunday. He takes the ride on Tony McEvoy’s Seattle Sound in Race 3 and Grant Young’s Exalted Lauretta in Race 5 who both look like good chances.  

The Trainer

He’s only got a small stable but Murray Bridge local Michael Vassallo has a fantastic strike rate at his home track this season. With five runners for three winners, Vassallo is striking at 60% and his lone runner on Sunday, Tappin’ Thomas is sure to appreciate the run on his home deck.

Best Bet

Tahnee Tiara (Race 6)

The Penola Coonawarra Cup winner was super impressive winning by over a length just over a week ago. Raquel Clark sticks with the mare who has a fantastic record at the track and over the mile.

 

Penola – Monday 28 January

The Jockey

He recorded a double at the track on Coonawarra Cup Day last week and Penola has been a happy hunting ground for Jarrod Lorensini this season with five wins at 31%. He has five rides on Monday, including the sit on last start winner Disco Rebel. 

The Trainer

The South East’s leading trainer Sue Jaensch has enjoyed a stellar season with 18 winners around the state so far. Coming off a Coonawarra Cup win last week at Penola, she has four runners set for Monday and all look strong chances on paper.

Best Bet

Strategic Glass (Race 5)

Ran a pretty good race in last week’s Coonawarra Cup at the track. While he steps out to a much further trip this start, he’s never missed a placing at the track and he’s in the very smart Sue Jaensch yard, which are all big positives.

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