Racing expert Adam Curkpatrick is backing the empire to strike back at monster odds of $41.00 to salute at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Race Club expert’s best bet at a much shorter quote comes earlier in the card with a mature filly to dominate the 1200m sprint.
Best Bet – Caulfield (Saturday)
APPIN GIRL ($2.60, $1.28), Race 2, 1200m
Appin Girl looks a more tractable type this time in, running a trial in just fair time up north, before a soft jump out, doing everything well within herself.
She went fantastic in the Spirit Of Boom, with the winner since franking the form through the Sires, and then further again with a solid run in the JJ.
The distance profiling of that is of most interest, given I have query on the main dangers at 1200m, whereas I hold less reservation on Appin Girl, who is yet to prove herself over the trip.
However, I believe the filly has matured enough based on her lead in work to knock that query down.
Tip: Win
Appin Girl takes out the Dalrello Stakes dominantly at only her second start!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 29, 2023
Boris Thornton with a peach for the @ODeaHoysted yard. pic.twitter.com/y4uViJraIS
Value Bet
ROCK EMPIRE ($41.00, $8.00), Race 9, 1600m
I think you can make a very, very solid case, that the race is in two, with the upward spiral of Steparty ($3.70) and the exposed boom finishing Militarize ($2.80).
I was very vocal in suggesting Militarize should be clear favourite for the Guineas post the Golden Rose win, and I maintain that, although concede Steparty is untapped and has the superior set up.
Steparty hasn’t exactly blown the clock away, but has done everything asked of him and trending the right way.
All that being said, I’m throwing a roughie in through the Prelude, being Rock Empire ($41.00), who was the runner that set them alight early.
He is a monster price given the stable and distance profile, with now the best front riding jock in the country taking the reigns.
Dominant on debut prior, topping meet figures, and although I’m fond of the other two, I’m more fond of this big price.
Tip: Win
🟡⚫️ Deep Field might have a son worthy of continuing his legacy after ROCK EMPIRE slayed his opponents at Kensington today 💪🏼 This colt has an extremely bright future 💫 🏆 @NewgateFarm https://t.co/i8xIkLINyg
— Gai Waterhouse AO (@GaiWaterhouse1) September 6, 2023