Friday Night Lights come from Cranbourne outside Melbourne again this week. There is an eight-race card that is likely to be run on a very heavy track.
I have focussed on those with good form on such going, but these wet conditions always change the dynamic of how races are run and regularly ensures bias for certain parts of the track.
I’m hoping today’s selections do not encounter such problems and all races can be streamed at PaddyPower.com from 8.30am.
08:30 Pocket Goddess @ 10/3
Race 1 is a two-year-old maiden over the minimum trip of 1000 metres. I really like horses with previous experience in these races and POCKET GODDESS and Patented come here on the back of nice debut runs.
Patented was a hot favourite first time up at Geelong and I was disappointed he didn’t get the job done on that occasion. He is obviously highly regarded, but he had a dream run through that race amdcould only manage to finish third. Pocket Goddess was second on her first start at Warrnambool on deep ground and showed a likeable attitude in doing so.
With conditions likely to be similar I am going to side with her here. The very capable Campbell Rawiller is in the saddle and takes off 2kg. He recently rode his 50th career winner and is going places. This gives me even more confidence in the chances of Pocket Goddess.
10:00 A Lone Hero (Each-Way) @ 11/2
Luke Oliver’s horses are flying at the moment and his A LONE HERO has a great chance to continue the stable’s good form in race 4. He was a winning selection of mine last week and I was very sweet on his chances that day.
I retain my enthusiasm for this horse as he will handle the ground and steps up further in trip to 1300 metres, which will also be to his liking.
The worry is that his maiden win last week was against moderate opposition, but he was an easy winner and can continue his progression by winning this.
11:30 Florida Dream @ 4/1
The selection in race 7 is again from the Luke Oliver stable and let’s hope FLORIDA DREAM brings up a double here for the yard. He steps up to 2580 metres in this and all his recent form has been in around the 2000 metres trip.
While his pedigree creates doubt about the suitability of the trip, his racing style suggests otherwise. In all his recent runs, Florida Dream has looked like a horse crying out for a longer trip.
The going poses a slight question mark, but he handles soft ground well so the slightly deeper heavy going should be fine.
12:00 Flag Edition @ 15/4
If Pierre-Charles Boudot is the jockey of the moment in flat racing, then Billy Egan cannot be too far behind. He has already ridden 17 winners in May in what is his best season so far.
He rides FLAG EDITION in the last race he will take a lot of beating. Egan is oozing confidence, so expect him to have Flag Edition in the right place through the race.
He handles a bit of dig in the ground and the trip is no problem.
Cranbourne Tips summary:
08:30 Pocket Goddess @ 10/3
10:00 A Lone Hero (Each-Way) @ 11/2
11:30 Florida Dream @ 4/1
12:00 Flag Edition @ 15/4
RECOMMENDED READING:
- All the latest racing previews from France & the USA are just a click away
- Horse racing tips: A runner-by-runner guide to the Irish 2,000 Guineas
- Neil Lennon celebrates Celtic title win alone in the forest with a bag of cans
* All odds correct at time of posting and are subject to change.
