3 minute read

As quickly as it came the Sydney Autumn Carnival is now drawing to a close with the Group 1 All Aged Stakes the main highlight on Saturday.

After doing the form I can't help but feel there are traps galore.

A large majority of the favourites are obvious, though they do have their chinks.

R1 - Ceasefire - 2/2 but now has to jump 1000m > 1200m against faster horses
R3 - Lion's Roar - Clear pick on form, but has to come back in trip after multiple Grand Finals
R4 - Zaaki - I get it but looks well found inside 2-1
R7 - Masked Crusader - Clear pick on form, but drawn wide and likely to go right back especially if he is S/A
R9 - Lost And Running - Got found out last start after having the perfect run and this is harder

The Team Hawkes trained Hilal clearly boasts the best form in the Champagne Stakes and while no match for Anamoe, these are largely the 'B & C' Graders on Saturday.

In the race behind Anamoe he had Captivant's measure, all after giving him a fair start at the 600m, also worth noting it was a further 4L back to fourth.

At his last two starts they've had little choice but to go back from the draw but he now may be able to take up a position.

Often a sectional star if able to replicate that finishing speed from a more favourable position, he should prove hard to beat.

One trick is watching the Sires' and covering Anamoe, as if he wasn't in the race.

Hilal comes from last and rounds them up, that being the case who do you want to back going to a mile and possibly settling closer?

On the bare form the gamble looks to be whether he can repeat, if he does I doubt they can hold him out.

As much as 5/2 is on offer which to me seems a great price - get on!

In the final event the Angela Davies trained Salina Dreaming looks very hard to beat off the back of an easy win first up at Warwick Farm.

A winner of five of her nine starts she returned a clear new career peak and confident she can build on that on Saturday.

At the weights she looks very well placed and looks to get the dream run for McEvoy.

Handles all conditions and looks fairly bombproof.

Happy to take on Lost And Running who looked to have every possible last start.

Should lead this time for McDonald, but confident Salina Dreaming can run him down.

Simon Dinopoulos' Three Tips:

Race 6 #2 Hilal @ $3.50

Race 8 #14 Nudge @ $5

Race9 #12 Salina Dreaming @ $3.60