Dandy Andy

Dunkeld Cup Quadrella Preview – Saturday 18th November 2017 from Dandy Andy!

Back to Dunkeld, one of the most picturesque race tracks in Australia, if not the most picturesque, for its once a year race meeting which will attract in the vicinity of 8,000 people to the small town in south-west Victoria.

If you’re not trackside, do yourself a favour and make sure you watch at least one race on TV.

At the time of writing the track is officially rated a Soft 6, but with the rain we’ve had in the south-west in the last 48 hours or so, I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t kick off in the Heavy range although fine weather is forecast for the remainder of Friday and then Saturday.

Race 5 XXXX Gold BM 70 Handicap 1200m

6 Another Diamond on top here.  A speed horse who has been placed on soft ground and is drawn well.  With the benefit of the 3kg claim for Thomas Stockdale around this tight course, he can lead all the way.  8 El Rada was good at Hamilton behind the talented Falcool but is a query on soft/heavy ground and the Weir runner, 10 Scoliaro, is down in the weights here.

6-8-10

Race 6 William Thomson Dunkeld Cup 1800m

Tough race.  Going away from the topweights.  Decided on the 6 Parthesia, winner of the Tasmanian Oaks over 2100m earlier this year on slow ground and has been placed on Heavy ground at Flemington albeit over 2800m. 2nd up so hoping the 1800m won’t be too short, with the 54 kg and from a good barrier.  13 Eschiele, an emergency will be the main danger, if not favourite if he gains a run, and the 10 Unrealistic was good at Hamilton two starts back when had little luck and ran on well, then followed that up with a 2nd in the Mortlake Cup.

6-13(e)-10

Race 7 Andrew Dillon Memorial 0-58 Hcp 1800m

Could be a very good day for Bill Cerchi, a long time supporter of racing in the region and Dunkeld, plus apprentice rider Thomas Stockdale.  7 Menegatti has been placed on soft ground but hasn’t raced on a heavy track so that is a small query. Produced two good runs back from a break, particularly last start at Kyneton when she was wide all the way over 1850m on Cup day.  With the claim here, should be cherry ripe for this and without bad luck, win. 11 Bassons, an emergency, likes wet ground and will be in the money if he gains a start and the 3 Raknikar also handles wet ground and has been in the money at his last three starts.

7*-11(e)-3

Race 8 bet365 0-58 Hcp 1200m

3 Our Dexter has been placed on soft ground and in the placings at his last three starts, including a 2nd to Royal Applause at Stawell two starts ago. 7 Presidium ran 4th in that same race at Stawell and they meet on the same weights here and the 10 Magromeus has shown ability earlier in her career and now had two runs back after a long lay off.  Has won on the soft but had no success at all in three Heavy track runs but has absolutely no weight here and is drawn well.

3-7-10

Dunkeld Cup Day Best Bet:

Race 7 #7 Menegatti

Good luck everybody.