3 minute read

The first Group One for the Melbourne racing season has arrived with the Memsie throwing up a deep and interesting betting contest.

Race favourite in the early markets is Alizee who is looking to replicate her Futurity win over the course and distance back in the autumn where she also used a Rosehill 1200m win as a springboard. 

The difference this time is that she comes off a much softer rating first up where the clock was far from flattering. She was ridden to win what was a fairly funky race there, and she did the job, so it's hardly a black mark against her name. In the end, we know that Alizee can run fast and her last start doesn't change that. But it does leave the door ajar for taking her on and we are going to do just that with Scales Of Justice who won the Bletchingly is awesome style before bumping into a handy one in Adelaide and running a bit flat himself. 

The Bletchingly win said that Scales Of Justice was every bit as good now as he has been and he is ideally suited out to 1400m now. Throw in the fact that he is third up and drawn to get a good run camped on the leaders, who should set a solid gallop, and there are plenty of positives. Early prices around 4/1 appeal. 

There are quite a few interesting each way options littered throughout a competitve card but the one we are going to flag up here comes in race four, the Heatherlie. 

It's a kick-off point for staying handicappers heading into the spring carnival and Captain Cook appeals as one that could step up and make a mark in better races.  

He ran really well first up over the mile and gave himself a great platform for this in the process. He has the ratings and profile from back in the UK to be a success down under and hopefully he can start by landing this at double figure odds.  

THE MELBOURNE MAIL 

Bet Of The Day: Race 8 #5 Scales Of Justice @ $5.00

Each Way Play: Race 4 #6 Captain Cook @ $10.00