Races

Deane Lester’s Cranbourne Best Bets

Posted on | Posted by Deane Lester

RACE 3 NO.1 PORT PHILIP

PORT PHILIP has been a revelation in the staying ranks this spring and looks well placed to record his fifth win for the campaign when he runs in the Benchmark 84 Handicap (2580m). The five year old won his maiden over 1600 metres at Cranbourne before wins at Mornington, Flemington and Caulfield. At his last start, he ran a brave second behind subsequent Melbourne Cup placegetter HIGH EMOCEAN in the Bendigo Cup (2400m) on October 26. Whilst he meets his main rival KISSINGER poorly at the weights from their last meeting, the Julius Sandhu trained gelding will be advantaged around the tight Cranbourne circuit and appeals as one of the better bets of the day.

RACE 4 NO.4 GREECE

GREECE will start a short priced favourite in the 3YO Handicap (1200m) and looks the standout bet on the Cup day program. The sister to the multiple group one winner LOVING GABY, she looked good winning her maiden over 1147 metres at Geelong on September 29. On the strength of that win, she was installed one of the favourites for some of the feature three year old sprints, however a wet spring has thwarted any chance of her taking her place in those races. She’s drawn to make her own luck and gets a minor consolation for missing the feature races over the weeks of the spring carnival.

RACE 6 NO.10 LIBERTY STEPS

The Shooting Stars Class 3 (1500m) is a great innovation for horses having had under ten starts so the bulk of the form is fresh and relevant. LIBERTY STEPS is a three year old taking on older horses but he comes through some solid races and looks a good each way play. He didn’t enjoy the best of luck when finishing 9th behind PERFECT THOUGHT in the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 29. He will relish a drier track and the application of blinkers which should prove significant in seeing him return to his best form. It’s a good race however LIBERTY STEPS can run boldly and looks the value runner of the day.

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