Winning post-1800 metres: Metropolitan racing returns to the Morphettville course proper for the first time in 2023. With the rail back in the true position for the first time since October 22, the inside pad presents well and walks consistently, with good cover, as expected after the break. At the time of walking on Thursday morning, it walked in the ‘Good 4’ range in this area, with no difference between the fence and several horses away from it. On Friday morning the track was rated ‘Good 4’and it will be the intention of the club to present the track with this rating.
1800m-1200m: There is excellent grass coverage all the way around to the 1200 metres and the track walks consistently in the Good 4 range, following 6ml of irrigation overnight and 38ml in the last 7 days. There will be no disadvantage to be away from the fence, in the two and three wide line, particularly with cover.
1200m-800m: This part of the track also presents well and walks in the Good 4 range. The track has thrived in the month off and looks in the best condition for several months. There is no sign of damage from racing and we are virtually on a fresh pad.
800m-400m: As horses commence their runs away from the fence, there is consistent ground from the fence out to the three and four wide line. The ground walks a little firmer closer to the rail where it is rated in the ‘Good 3’ range.
400m-Winning post: The track walks consistently in the Good 4 range, with some further irrigation necessary today given the warm conditions. The track has raced evenly leading into Christmas and New Year, with horses winning on the pace and from back in the field in recent meetings. The straight walks consistently from the fence out, with no evidence that any particular pattern should emerge here. It is expected that runners will also be able to make ground out wide, as well as up near the lead or on the pace.
Verdict: A genuine Good track is expected for Saturday, with warm weather forecast leading into the meeting and a possible shower on Saturday. The track has benefitted well from a month off and a renovation and walks consistently in the Good range throughout, including in the straight. Look for horses winning from both up near the lead or on pace near the fence, but also coming from further back and fanning from the turn out towards the middle of the track. This is a sign of an even track, with all horses getting their respective chances, depending on the pace of the races. A shifting southerly change into the afternoon may test leaders and on pace runners in the straight, with that factor to be taken into account when assessing chances.
Stewards will further assess the track for a confirmation of the rating on race day.
Black, Orange Checks, Bennett Racing Logo, White Checked Sleeves, Checked Cap
Owners
N P Bennett, A D Stanley, Outside the Box Racing, An Capall go tapa, G Koletti, R A Buckley, Mrs S Buckley, M V Broadhead, Mrs D Broadhead, Delolama, B D Walkington, J Rohan, S A Dellow, CosCo, B J Britten, N R Bull, Bennett Racing Blazing Snitzel, B Feldmann, Mrs E M Thomson & Shadwell Farm Racing
Black And White Checks, Royal Blue Sleeves, Black And White Checked Cap
Owners
T J Doudle, N J Carter, N P Bishara, B Nicholson, S Howarth, D D Gum, Ms M N Luijckx, P G Rawson, P R Buss, Park Royale Racing (Mgr: R Buss), S J Theodore, K J James, J Hurrell, Dr D Bungey, T D Lloyd & L R Mackenzie
Royal Blue And Lime Green Diagonal Stripes, Lime Green Cap
Owners
W T Clarken, Ridgeport (Mgr: E S Guagliardo), L J Weekley, D C Doyle, P Kelton, M J Kearney, Mrs S L A Bandick, M P Barker, Ms L M Budde, T Cleland, Mrs C A Cleland, N P Fitzgerald, S G Willoughby & M J Penny
Blue, White Chevron, Blue Sleeves, White Hoops, Blue Cap, White Pom Pom
Owners
J Frantz, B A Long, G D Dickson, D Harding, C J Comitogianni, Z Sambrooks, I R Treacy, S M McNeil, J P Davies, R M Hurst, G C Natt, C V Moat, B H Leverink, H Leverink, Modbury Millionaires (Mgr: M P Neve), G B Racing (Mgr: E Greenslade) & M Y D J (Mgr: D Moyle)
Lime Green, Navy Blue Stars, White Sleeves And Cap, Navy Blue Stars
Owners
Simon Croucher Racing, P W Barrett, T Ellis, B M Thorp, M F Turnley, B J Threlfall, L Langeluddecke, T W Williams, T Ricketts, M Thorp, J Bonetti & B D Jarrad
Orange, Blue Star, Yellow Sleeves, Blue Cap, Yellow Pom Pom
Owners
Mrs L M Warner, Mrs M L Guidera, Mrs L M Povey, Ms F A Dahlitz, Mrs T J Dahlitz, Mrs A Richardson, Mrs A C Bascomb, Mrs R F Pedler, Mrs J M Skinner & Miss R E Warner
White, Royal Blue Spot, Royal Blue And Orange Striped Sleeves
Owners
Mrs B J Blanch, Mrs S M T Traeger, Ms S L S Smith, C F Sherratt, Miss S E Kay, I A Stuart, Mrs J Giles, C H Scott, J C Beeche, J Beeche, Mrs M J Rochow, C C Scullion, Off The Bit (Mgr: C J McMechan), A Biasci, B J Nash, J Savva, Quorn Syndicate (N Lisk), E Blanch & Bremen Boys Syndicate (C Carfora)
Blindfold FIRST TIME, Ear Muffs FIRST TIME, Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) OFF FIRST TIME, Winkers FIRST TIME
Racing colours
Gold, Black Seams, Black And White Checked Cap, Gold Pom Pom
Owners
R B R (Mgr: R W Balfour), N Gopaul, Sting (Mgr: G N Harvey), Mrs M J Cross, C R Dean, N J Russell, Freshmen (Mgr: M D Veprek), P A Gregory, Ms C B Gregory, C H H M Giles, Mrs C Giles, M Harvey & Dr F J Livesey
P J Ninnis, Mrs P C Southern-Ninnis, Miss C J Watson, C I D’Cruz, G W Guest, A Searle, R J Searle, D A Searle, Ms J Heaney, A Kilsby, Friends of Ed (Mrg: R C Busso) & Terrace no 3 (Mrg: Dr W J Marmion)
S P Gower, Mrs L E Gower, C A Reynolds, Mrs S M Dahl, R J Dahl, G R Burns, A P Newman, K G Alsop, T W Newman, C A Sargent, R M Warnock & Mrs L A Warnock
J L Jordan, C Booth, C Fowler, D S Green, D Eriksen, J P Anderson, J Cawthorne, J A Smith, M J Allen, M F Cocciolone, P C Tanner, S N R Edwardes & S Collins
Black, Red And White Horse Head And Flames, Red Flames On Sleeves, Red Cap
Owners
S D Thomason, S A Johnston, C F Sherratt, S R Aylett, M G Turner, M I Ferguson, J E Manning, R Kersten, Mrs K M Ferguson, Mrs H Kersten & On Fire Racing (Mgr: N L Kersten)
J Tzaferis, S Tzaferis, D J Murphy, S Morwood, A Tzaferis, Mrs J Di Pinto, N Brook & B D Slater, Too Big For Flippers (Mgr: K Kaldawi), Groovin Syndications (Mgr: Z Tzaferis)
Gold, Black Seams, Black And White Checked Cap, Gold Pom Pom
Owners
R B R (Mgr: R W Balfour), D J Raphael, B R O'Reilly, Mrs C O'reilly, G T Ward, A Iessi, A Dean, C R Dean, T E Satchell, J R Crewdson, R J Crewdson, D J Miller, G D Ward, R D C Ward, M P Dornan, P A Gregory, J L Wallace, M S Reid, R F Coxon & I A Serpo
B R Rowett, P Livesey, D S Geddie, Ms K J Eves, M R Rowett, Mrs J L Rowett, Mrs V Rowett, M C Prime, Mrs R A Prime, K C Trembath, P J Smith, LJ Smith, Ms N Trembath, D R Rowett, Mrs C Anthony, J J McMahon, Mrs N L Trembath & Ms K N Trembath
Red, Blue 5 Stars, White Sleeves Blue Checked, Red Cap Blue Stars, Red Collar, Red Cuffs, Red Peak
Owners
A Bain, S Goldsmith, N Reynolds, P Shannon, J Roberts, D Crockatt, R Coughlan, B Fitzgerald, G Keating, C Dryden, Smithfield Front Bar Syndicate, D Underwood, B Clarke, B Rafanelli, J Kost, M Russell, M Carter, G Pierpoint, ABR Wonderwomen Club & Winbig
B H Smelt, Mrs C A McMillan, G Milton, D J Bridges, D L Crack, J Oberti, J Chyer, Ms J R Muller, J W Cabot, J Gower, Miss L Carr, K Oberti, Ms K Quintel, M Quintel, M J SMELT, M D Jones, P R Phillips, T N Smelt & S Thomas
Blinkers OFF AGAIN, Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only) FIRST TIME, Nose Roll FIRST TIME
Prize
$60,295
Racing colours
Black, Pink J And White C Logo, Black Cap, Pink Pom Pom
Owners
Ms C Pretlove, B S Pane, Mrs C M Catherine Mary, P Chapman, J T Cannon, Miss K J Knights, Mrs M C Caboche, Ms M Pretlove, R Davis, D Murphy & M Santopolidis
S B Tilbrook, R R Byrnes, W A Rose, C J St Clair, Mrs E L Byrnes, B M Kelly, C Brookhouse, Mrs V Dielos, A J Hand, L Jervis, A C McGrath, C L Green, High Hopes (Mgr: S A Denny), Romantic's Without Fear (Mgr: Mrs T A O'neill-Hyam), Whs Plus & Hyam Racing (Mgr: Mrs T S Hyam)
Minella Bloodstock, A T Maloney, Ms N Rantanen Reynolds, D G Reynolds, R A J Lawrie, Mrs M Lawrie, Mrs M J Cross, T J Cross, Mrs J Koster, Mrs W J Koster, Howell Enterprises, N W Highdale, S G Thornton, Mrs H J Tucker, W W Tucker ,R Buckley B Heffernan, D Heffernan, K A Perry & Fire up for Cups
Deep Navy Blue, Orange Select Bloodstock Logo, Striped Sleeves, Navy Blue Cap With Orange Pom Pom
Owners
Ms S Sperenini-Bieg, Mrs M D White, Ms N Rantanen Reynolds, D G Reynolds, P J Eriksson, D Horrell, T J Howell, J S Baumer, D J Baumer, L Sack, P Sack, J D Dollman, Dr H Meyer, R Mundy, C F Sherratt, Ms A J Mitchell, B J Hedley, R Beens, J R Sherratt & Freshmen (Mgr: M D Veprek)
Dr D P Arnold, R R Byrnes, Mrs E L Byrnes, W A Rose, C R Essex, Mrs L E Essex, Winning Legs Racing no3 (Mgr: M R Lampshire), Hyam Racing (Mgr: Mrs T S Hyam) & C A V Connection (Mgr: C R Sharp)
R R Jolly, J Solomon, M J Philp, Mrs P E Clingly, J A Manuel, B M Jackson, A J Butler, Ms M L Gill, O A Davies, L D Baring, G M Pretty, B R Porter, D A Hurrell, D A Loy, K R Sexton & Inside Out (Mgr: C Edwards)
J P Kelton, B Pike, D Karpluk, A Weinman, P McLean, S B P Racing, J Gallimore, D Paolini, P Webster, A Wong, N Yoganathan, R Hart, S Jamieson, J Rose, Miss A Thompson, B Moss, P Daily, The Range, D Coltman & W T Clarken
A F M Panozzo, F D Brown, R A Ford, M B Closter, E Gelagotis, J S Overington, G Mellis, D J Leale, N Gopaul, S J Day, Mrs S Kanga & N E Chaplin, Metcap Mgt No 1 (Mgr: Mrs S Kanga) & Metcap Mgt No3 (Mgr: J Kanga)
Royal Blue And Lime Green Diagonal Stripes, Lime Green Cap
Owners
J R Adam, A R Muller, Ridgeport (Mgr: E S Guagliardo), Ms M A Crowhurst, Mrs S L A Bandick, Extential Racing (Mgr: T W Mok), A K Stewart, P J Marron, P J McLean, Mrs P M Hunt, K G Setford, Ms I Russell, C W J Muirhead, V G Corry, K Knight & Stevenson Family (Mgr: G J Stevenson)
Royal Blue, White Horseshoe, Black And White Checked Sleeves And Cap
Owners
Australian Bloodstock, R Murphy, M P Barker, K B Rust, K-B Racing, P J McLean, J W Rose, T Romano, W F Butler, Mrs G Vogel, S R Doyle, Ms A Kelton, C Pearson, T A Shorland, N P Ortmann, One For The Road, A J Smith, S A Bandick, Pentagon Racing & Ironclad
Black, Old Gold Star, Checked Sleeves, Checked Cap
Owners
S L Aldridge, Ms H R Clarke, Ms X K Clarke, S W J Dawney, B L Hannon, Ms M Hartog, A G Martin, W J McFerran, G M Pawsey, Miss M A Reschke, P Richard, Mrs R M Tasker, D H Thompson, Ms L Wong, G Paterson, Mrs J K Campbell, Gonzot Racing, The Grand, Baroota Bandits & Stella Polaris Racing
Mrs K J Aldridge, C De Michele, R Albanesi, F Albanesi, R J Parker, D J Barnett, G J Wood, A D McNicol, S A McCulloch, J De Michele, J J P (Mgr: J J Cheyne) & Stallion Six Racing (Mgr: G Barbaro)
P M Nolan, J E Freeman, A P Forrest, Mrs S S Forrest, D W Billinger, Mrs J M Billinger, M J Haylock, G Taormina, A R Allen, N D Mitton, No Worries Inc, Panthers8 (Mgr: B W Honor), R Paparella, S G Walker, T Brumler, S P Nunn, P Fama, D J Ryan & Mrs T L Ryan
Ms J Heaney, Tell Them They're Dreaming (Mgr: Ms J Heaney), P J Ninnis, Mrs P C Southern-Ninnis, Ms K L Arnold, Mrs T Ryan, Miss L Warwick, M R Blacker, M Stammers, A J Tonkin, J Reuther, Ms S A Longbottom, G R Sterrey, P N U (Mgr: G McIntosh) & A P Newman
Gold With A Black Horse Motif, Aqua Blue Sleeves With Black Stars, Gold Cap With Black Stars
Owners
B Murray, M G Reeves, A Ghin, C Alexander, S A Farrell, A J Mccartney, A J Toohey, S Kennedy, D M Toohey, H G Toohey, Mrs K A Dudley, H J J Carisbrooke & T J Hill
Gold, Black Seams, Black And White Checked Cap, Gold Pom Pom
Owners
Mrs C C Clonan, Miss A S Clonan, Miss E J Clonan, R B R (Mgr: R W Balfour), Spike Inc (Mgr: M J Cosgrove), Mrs S E Spiers, P G Spiers & Mrs R A Balfour
