Picking Friday Night Aces at Addington: Matt Cross
Matt Cross • November 28th, 2024 8:00 AM
Race 1
Meant To Be was most impressive winning at Group One level here at Addington at his latest start on Show Day. He had the better of Tarragindi late in the piece there and that looks to be what may unfold in this too. There's only five going around so they should both get their chance to run the quinella again. One of the others have form anywhere near as good as the pair. Major Doosie looks the best of the others. Still looks six months away from being the full package but does look to have a future. Take the quinella (5 & 2) and your night should start the right way.
Selections 5-2-4-1
Race 2
Habibiti Pat will appreciate getting back against her own sex here. She was third behind Meant To Be and Tarragindi at her last start. She was 49 days in between runs there too so will have improved fitness wise too. Gets a great draw (3) and if she finds the top she's clearly the horse to beat. There are some fillies in here that are still on the up. One of those is Ocean Eyes, I was impressed with her latest effort albeit 4L inferior to Habibiti Pat she looked great getting home on the front foot. Dash Dosh toyed with them at Rangiora last week. If she can hold it all together here a win wouldn't surprise. Pretty In Pink is a very reliable sort and with a good draw I wouldn't leave her out.
Selections 3-6-10-2
Race 3
Bazooka cops a rough draw (14) but he's in fine form. He will have to do some work at some stage but he looks a bit classy. Price short enough but a huge win hope. Salute will appreciate a better draw. He's still working the game out but I think after his Cup Day run the penny may have dropped. On the clock he was very good too and if he gets a nice spot in running looks worth an each way bet. Tokyo Rose got a penalty free win on Sunday. Quick back up won't worry her. She's got gate speed if needed too. Warloch always a top four hope, was great to see him get win number seventeen last start.
Selections 14-5-6-3
Race 4
Chase A Dream was clearly a bit behind the eight ball in the Velocity last start. He was 35 days between runs and I think that told in the end, he will bounce off that and be a better horse here. He's twenty points higher (minimum) than all horses here. He should win. Hadron Collider has the gate speed to maybe cross them? We have to bear in mind that these horses have the Derby here next week so I'm not so sure they will all be wanting but busters a week out. His place price was overs I thought. Renegade is a horse who I think will be suited to the derby next week, he's a great follower of speed. Vessem under performed here on show day but he was 43 days between runs. Expect better today. Chase A Dream should win, Hadron Collider best place price.
Selections 9-5-6-8
Race 5
This is a tough tough race, a very tidy field of trotting mares. I Dream Of Jeannie was excellent when third off 20m here on show day. It won't be easy for her here off the same mark but the opening price I thought was generous enough. Aroha Kenny looks a big hope if she can get a track through from the 10m early. She meets Hidden Talent 10m better off than when the last met. She might be able to turn the tables here. Respect Sheza Gift drawn one off 10m. The horse drawn in front of her off the front is Mixed Faith and if she can hold her back early one of the two look a nice place hope. Take your pick outside of those few, it's a deep enough race.
Selections 18-15-12-10
Race 6
Race over here. Marketplace, lock him in your multis. You don't need me to tell you how good he is. Gate speed, heart, late speed, willingness, gait, the list goes on and on and on. Captain Sampson is a quinella hope. I think he will be better for his first look here against the big boy. Demon Blue was super on the clock in the sires final and he's another to play quinellas with the fav. Always Dreaming has impressed winning both runs this prep. It's hard to gauge how good that form is against these others who are hardened in Group races here in Canterbury.
Selections 3-4-7-5
Race 7
'The Oaks' for 2024 presents a deep field headed up by Treacherous Baby who has the advantage of drawing the front row. She's been an improver each time she's stepped out and her versatility in races makes her the one to beat here. Expect some gate speed from Coastal Babe who won the Vic Oaks when leading, she might try something similar here. Duchess Megxit is a class act, it's unfortunate for her that she's drawn the second row but it might not be all that bad if the race is run to suit. She's got an explosive turn of foot. Ruby Roe will go back and look for a cart into it, she's one of the quicker fillies here and could be dangerous with her late burst. Classic Elegance, Shakira, All You Need Is Me are all top four chances if things go their way.
Selections 6-14-4-8
Race 8
There's not many certainties in racing but Keyang Zahara is as close as you'll ever get. She's superior to this field in every aspect. That's not disrespecting any of the others because they're a quality lot, but it's unfortunate for them that they have run into a freak. Empire City has to be in for exotics, will have to work from the outside front though. Princess Sadie will get a sweet trip from the inside draw, she is capable of running the quinella with the fav. High Step was brilliant winning at Kaikoura last time against the older horses, with the right run into it she's also a quinella hope. Even if you don't bet here she's worth tuning in for. Keyang Zahara is a certainty.
Selections 7-9-1-12
Race 9
This isn't as straight forward as R8 is. I like Captains Mistress again. She's extremely fast and from her draw (11) she might get a sweet enough trip. Stella Rouge will be somewhere up front, she was worn down by the former last time. I do thing Stella is a better chaser than the one being chased. Arafura still has some improvement to go until she's the full package, there's a huge motor there, she just needs her mind and legs to align with that. If it does today then she's too a winning chance. The other two Hayden Cullen fillies go good, General Gen was decked early and flew late before being declared a non runner in the Sires Stakes final. She's got the gate speed to cross if need be. Winelight too is well above average. She will just need a few things to go her way from the inside second row.
Selections 11-2-10-6
Race 10
Zoltan Boscik is well in here under mobile conditions. Yes he's got the outside but that won't worry him, I think eventually he can get right through the grades. Bounce N Beyond bounced back with a win last weekend after failing in the Ascent. He can go on with it here and the mobile suits him too. Styx Jewel drops back from open class where she was 8L form Bet N Win. She likes the mobile, if she gets around in one piece she is in this. Cormoran Strike is in good form, Master Class could be the roughie, he's better than his last couple.
Selections 9-13-6-8
Photograph at the top of the page: Keayang Zahara is quickly becoming a racing superstar. Matt Cross describes her as superior to this field in every aspect. Credit: Race Images
