Deane Lester’s Best Bets
RACE 2 NO.9 CABIERRO
CABIERRO should be fitter for three runs this preparation and looks the value runner when she contests the 3+4YO Benchmark 70 Handicap (1700m). The daughter of Pierro comes off a brave second behind ALL HARD WOOD over 1600 metres at Sale on October 28. That is a good form reference for this race and, significantly, Melbourne Cup winning rider Kerrin McEvoy takes the ride. It’s a highly competitive race but CABIERRO represents terrific each way value.
RACE 8 NO.1 AMPHITRITE
The feature race is the Kennedy Oaks (2500m) and the class runner of the field is AMPHITRITE who can add to her earlier Group One success in the Thousand Guineas with a win in this classic. The Darren Weir trained filly backs up from a luckless 11th behind SHILLELAGH in Saturday’s Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. Whilst she rises sharply in distance, the daughter of Sebring is a very relaxed type that is drawn for a cheap run and may just prove just too classy for this field.
RACE 9 NO.16 BLEU ROCHE
One of the toughest runs on Cox Plate day was produced by BLEU ROCHE and this filly only needs to back up well from that run to prove the one to beat in the Red Roses Stakes (1100m). The Matt Laurie was three wide on a fierce speed when finishing 4th behind CHARGE in the Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 27. That was an outstanding run, she drops back to fillies grade and has straight track experience when finishing 2nd behind FINAL CHOICE over 1000 metres at Flemington on September 26. Jockey Tim Clark has enjoyed a solid spring and can achieve another win aboard BLEU ROCHE, who appeals as the best bet of the day at nice odds.
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