The feature event of the day is the opening race on a five-race card in the Red Centre on Sunday, and leading local trainer Terry Gillett seems to have a mortgage on the open 1200m of the Ladbrokes Odds Surge Handicap, with no less than four of the eight runners engaged. The top two, Supreme Attraction and That’s Justified, are arguably the two best gallopers currently in Alice Springs, and they again look certain to be in the finish, with Supreme Attraction, the Pioneer Sprint winner, looking to secure his fourth consecutive win. He is dropping back in trip some 200m from his last-start win of a fortnight ago, but it is hard to see him beaten such has been his dominance lately.
Liberty Blue was good winning last time out in AS on 4 June, and even though this is harder, he has a good record of six wins and no less than eight seconds on the track from just 18 starts. Jade Hampson will take a kilo off his 55kg book weight, which will bring him in well compared to Supreme Attraction, who will carry 7.5kg more. Supreme Times should be thereabouts as well, having finished fourth then third behind Supreme Attraction at his two most recently starts – Sonja Wiseman will take the mount on the 7yo, who also gets in well with 55kg.
The two 0-64 events are interesting contests, with Rock Of Kryptonite, Brat and Frilly Design expected to fight out the finish of the AV-Comm.com.au Handicap over 1100m, while Norse Mythology can get back to his best form in the Creative Gifts and Awards Handicap over 1400m. He is now in the stable of Carrol Hunter and his last-start third looked more like the horse who won when trained by Gary Clarke four starts back.
Pariah Conviction is on trial for a possible tilt at the NT Derby in the Talice Security Services Maiden over 1400m, but will have some opposition from a newcomer to the Red Centre in Li’lmissprancealot, who will be having her first start from the stable of Leanne Gillett, and True Blue Fox, another newcomer in the stable of Dan Morgan.
The weather in the Red Centre is fine but not overly warm, with a 22 degree day forecast for raceday. The first on the card gets underway at 1.37pm (NT time), which is 2.07pm in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland, while the last of the five races on the programme is timed to go at 3.52pm (NT time), or 4.22pm in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland. This early finish will allow the visiting jockeys from Darwin to return to the Top End on the 5.20pm flight.
BEST BETS
R1, No.1 – SUPREME ATTRACTION
Racing in tremendous form of late and no reason he can’t make it four on end. Was brilliant again last time over 1400m, running a slick time, and even though dropping back in trip, should not be an impediment to his chances. Carries a kilo less in this contest than he did when winning last time, and the Pioneer Sprint winner is on song for his 13th career win before embarking on a campaign aimed at feature events in the Darwin Cup Carnival. Looks the winner.
R2, No.1 – ROCK OF KRYPTONITE
Has been very good in three Red Centre starts to date, placing third twice before saluting here three weeks ago in this grade and over this trip. Drawn about the middle of the line but this looks a winnable race again, even with 60.5kg. Ray Viney’s stable is racing really well of late and is building up a good association with Darwin Cup-winning jockey Jess Philpot. Without doubt the hardest to beat in the second of the day.
GIVE ANOTHER CHANCE
R5, No.4 – BEAN SHOPPIN’
Steps up in trip once again, this time to 1600m, and should be suited by the journey. Unwound late to finish third to Hettinger and Miss McGregor here over 1400m a fortnight ago and the extra 200m should be to her liking. Sonja Wiseman stays aboard and will have benefited from her ride on the mare on 4 June. Does not win out of turn, with just the one success in 20 career outings, but can have a 21st party here.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – 1, 4, 2, 3
RACE 2 – 1, 2, 5, 7
RACE 3 – 1, 3, 2, 5
RACE 4 – 2, 4, 1, 3
RACE 5 – 4, 6, 2, 1
What are you really gambling with? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au