Sale
Race 7 – Cote Atlantique
Jockey – Beau Mertens
1600m – Barrier 2
Last start Seymour Cup winner Cote Atlantique stays at a mile for Sale’s feature event this afternoon. The ex-European was a deserved victor a fortnight ago on the back of a pair of solid efforts in town prior, with strong Group-1 form coming out of his fourth-placing in the Sandown Stakes. Jockey Beau Mertens sticks on and can hold a forward position from an inside draw, likely to find the backs of the leaders heading into the first bend.
El Rocko knows only one way and he’ll be in the thick of the speed battle early on, while expect Scheelite and Cool Star to be somewhere near the top on settling with Cote Atlantique. Good race. El Rocko has come off second best in both encounters with Cote Atlantique however will be suited if the predicted rain arrives today. A swing in the weights is in his favour, no surprise to see him in this for a long way. One of the main chances. Pondalowie gets back and doesn’t win out of turn but rarely goes poorly. There’s some nice form around her this campaign and if the pattern of the day allows horses to run on, she’ll be charging late. Strong claims. Each way chances to Cartoon Graveyard, who was far too good in the Murray Bridge Cup last start, and Enxuto, who is suited out to a mile but will be hoping the rain stays away.
Cote Atlantique hasn’t seen anything but dry tracks in Australia, however his previous form suggests a little rain won’t pull him up. He draws to get every possible again today and should get his chance to peel out and look the winner in the home straight. Strong claims to make it two on the bounce.
Currently, Cote Atlantique is a $4.40 chance in the market.
Sale
Race 9 – Brung King
Jockey – John Allen
1400m – Barrier 5
Improving galloper Brung King heads to Sale today, following a frustrating trip to a postponed Geelong meeting on Wednesday. The gelded son of Crackerjack King may be better suited today however, with conditions in his favour should the predicted rain arrive in time. Jockey john Allen leaves from an ideal gate and can look to roll forward again today, able to land outside or just behind the speed heading into the first bend.
Freak Of Nature and She’s Pretty Rich have drawn the inside and will both punch forward in search of the top, while expect Margie’s Boy to roll across with Brung King to find a forward position on settling. As with most of these MCC Country Series heats, this looks an even affair. Corona Lad will be in the second half of the field and hoping runners can make ground late in the day. His effort from back and wide at Horsham was solid and no surprise to see him loom as the winner. One of the main chances. She’s Pretty Rich was plain last start but had been in good form prior. Expect her to bounce back today, strong claims. Each way chances to Freak Of Nature, who’s best form has him right in this, and Margie’s Boy, who comes into calculations if the weather turns.
Brung King was solid first-up and comes here better for the outing today. The wetter the better for this galloper, who boasts an excellent second-up record (5:2-0-2). Strong claims.
Currently, Brung King is a $5 chance in the market.