Murray Bridge - 11 October 2025
Murray Bridge Gold Cup Day
Rail: True, Going: Good
Race 1
Golden Horizon has trialled up a treat and the Doudle stable generally get their horses ready to go early. He has given the indication at the trials that he has come back better as a three-year-old, but we shall see. He went into the blackbook following his trial at Murray Bridge. Virtual Illusion won impressively on debut, now has to step up to BM64 company. Toeroak not riding and Munro on does pose a concern, and the small field doesn’t look to suit, but he could surprise me. Snallygaster is another who has trialled well and makes his debut today. Yarrawizardharry rounds out the top four.
Selections: #2 Golden Horizon, #1 Virtual Illusion, #3 Snallygaster, #4 Yarrawizardharry
Bet Strategy: Golden Horizon WIN @ $2.70
Race 2
First two-year-old race of the season in South Australia has a decent field despite there being only seven runners. I blackbooked five of these from the trials and had to decipher through them. Blandford Baron was the first I took notice of, who was very professional in his trial at Murray Bridge. He looks like he has it put together mentally and was very professional. Tootell gets 3kg off and she rode him in the trials. His time was good and will make his own luck in front. Inhabit is well bred and a classy looking animal. She is going to win some nice races in time, and they are thinking of Melbourne with her, so she would want to be winning this. Draw isn’t ideal, but I can’t deny her class. Vandaross, Rebel Tuesday and Meadows Flyer were the other three who were blackbooked from their respective trials, but I think are in the next tier.
Selections: #1 Blandford Baron, #5 Inhibit, #7 Rebel Tuesday, #3 Vandaross
Bet Strategy: Blandford Baron WIN @ $3.40, Inhibit WIN @ $2.10 (Saver)
Race 3
Long tail to this race. Darknconfidential is looking to put three on the trot following his win last weekend. 2000m poses no issues for him and being down to 54.5kg is nothing but ideal going up in grade. Holder is riding like a man possessed, and he sticks here and the draw should give him every chance. Arugamama is the likely danger here fourth-up, and her best could run over these with ease, especially if it was over longer. The draw is good and maps to get a soft run, and she will be giving a bit of cheek over the final 200m. Yuri Royale could run a cheeky race at double figure odds, and Magnetic Edge will be thereabouts late.
Selections: #4 Darknconfidential, #2 Arugamama, #3 Yuri Royale, #5 Magnetic Edge
Bet Strategy: No Bet
Race 4
Fancify was nominated in Melbourne, but remains here for her second-up assignment. She was very game behind Watchme Win in the Wylie Handicap four weeks ago, and looks primed and ready to go in the race she won last year, on the way to Group 3 success at Flemington. Every thing points to her going back-to-back in the Reg Nolan Flying Handicap. Press Down finished just over 2 lengths behind Fancify last start, and now gets a 3kg swing in his favour. He might have to do some work to cross the favourite, which could be his undoing late. Chicago Storm and My Khalifa make up the numbers and will be fighting it out for the third placing.
Selections: #1 Fancify, #2 Press Down, #4 Chicago Storm, #5 My Khalifa
Bet Strategy: Fancify WIN @ $1.90
Race 5
Tough race and not one I want to play in with 4 of the top 6 in betting and exactly half the field coming in off 42 day breaks or longer. My Zephyr is 1/12 in her career but brings in competitive ratings, especially against tougher opposition. This is the easiest race she has been in for some time, and she isn’t without a hope with Pannell aboard. Misludi is 2/3 first-up, but faces an awkward draw. She has trialled up nicely for this. Starlite Valley will carry a bit weight even with the claim as she tackles the easiest race she has contested since 2023. Refreshing is the best of the rest.
Selections: #10 My Zephyr, #6 Misludi, #1 Starlite Valley, #3 Refreshing
Bet Strategy: No Bet
Race 6
Capitalex made a winning debut for the Philip Stokes stable 3 weeks ago, after coming from the Corstens/Larkin yard. But he didn’t just win, he dominated with a 2.9 length win here at Murray Bridge over the 1000m. With natural improvement and an extra 100m, Opperman should be able to get the best out of this gelding once again, from a nice gate. Vintage Star is big overs for a horse who has won 33% of his races. He will appreciate the firmer surface and easier grade here, though he will need some luck from the draw. Streetcar Fury is the market favourite and has been costly over his past two. Having backed him both starts, he can win without my money this time out. Round Two could improve with a more skilled jockey, but a repeat of last start is in the back of my mind.
Selections: #11 Capitalex, #2 Vintage Star, #9 Streetcar Fury, #8 Round Two
Bet Strategy: Capitalex WIN @ $4.00, Vintage Star E/W @ Best Tote+SP (Current Price $10.00/$3.10)
Race 7
Tight betting race here, but a bit of value with Falanghina. She was an eye-catcher in behind Nicish first-up and gets to face similar opposition with 1kg less and a much better draw. 1400m is her sweet spot, and she should be half her current quote of $8.00. Bad Detective is another who has been costly this preparation. A return of his best can win, but it’s a risk. Extra Hot will appreciate the extra speed up front, and could figure in the finish, though I think she wants some rain. Vallencourt next best.
Selections: #8 Falanghina, #5 Bad Detective, #7 Extra Hot, #10 Vallencourt
Bet Strategy: Falanghina E/W @ Best Tote+SP (Current Price $8.00/$2.80)
Race 8
Feature of the afternoon, the Murray Bridge Gold Cup. Watadeel looks ready to rock n roll following his 1.8 length win last time out, which was a near peak performance. Opperman takes back the reins, and he has drawn lovely. Pudding remains the main danger, and he is getting out to a nice price considering he beat Watadeel two back with the same weight scale. Hard to see him improving enough to turn the tables from their last start meeting. Cartoon Graveyard is the only other danger, and he has been backed into second favourite. 1600m is right up his alley, and the big drop in weight brings him right in. Sir Kingsford is a place chance.
Selections: #5 Watadeel, #7 Pudding, #9 Cartoon Graveyard, #3 Sir Kingsford
Bet Strategy: Watadeel WIN @ $2.60
Race 9
Zunna lands on top, but will need two scratchings to make the field. She ran a peak figure last time out in a class 2, and gets her chance up in grade in a very winnable race. She is a progressive type who has the right jockey and draw to make a statement, she just needs to get a run. Surprise Coming and Dual Pressure are next in line for top pick, both being early in their preparations and back in grade. Surprise Coming runs consistently, and just needs a bit of luck to go his way, whilst Dual Pressure will appreciate Holder sticking and the extra distance from the wide draw.
Selections: #18 Zunna, #2 Dual Pressure, #4 Surprise Coming, #3 Snoopy Now
Bet Strategy: No Bet
Early Quaddie:
Race 2: 1, 5 - Race 3: 2, 3, 4 - Race 4: 1 - Race 5: 1, 3, 6, 10, 12 - 100% = $30
Quaddie:
Race 6: 2, 8, 9, 11 - Race 7: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 - Race 8: 5, 7, 9 - Race 9: 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 18 - 100% = $432
Prices as of 7:30am 11/10/2025 AEDST
