Morphettville will host another quality nine-race program this Saturday, highlighted by the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes.
I’ve run the rule over every runner and race, and you can find my complete 2023 Leon Macdonald Stakes Day Tips below.
The Fotobase Group Handicap (1550m) – 12:47pm AEST
I’m going to stick with Prince Jofra when he goes around in the first on Leon Macdonald Stakes Day.
It has been a little while since he last tasted success, but a few of his recent efforts have been competitive and win doesn’t look too far away.
He’ll take improvement into this race; he’s drawn to effect and can fight out the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Prince Jofra
In Memory Of Don Koch 3YO Maiden Plate (1000m) – 1:22pm AEST
Grint returned a nice performance to finish second on debut and can go one better at Morphettville this week.
The Winning Rupert gelding showed some ability at the trials prior to debuting, and he was only denied by a smart Esecutore at Murray Bridge earlier this month.
He’s open to plenty of improvement and does look like the one to beat on exposed form.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Grint
Spring Racing Carnival At Morphettville Handicap (1000m) – 1:57pm AEST
Jean Valjean has stripped fitter for a couple of decent efforts back from a break and he strikes another very winnable contest third-up on Leon Macdonald Stakes Day.
Jean Valjean proved too good for them in BM62 company here last month and wasn’t disgraced when fourth behind the likes of Our Last Cash and Anilla at Flemington, last time.
Dropping back to a weaker race and to 1000m, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Jean Valjean
Happy Retirement Leon Macdonald Handicap (1950m) – 2:32pm AEST
Insulation takes winning form into this contest and will take a power of beating once more.
The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained gelding returned from a lengthy spell to fill the minors at Sandown last month, and enjoyed wholesale improvement into a smart win in BM64 company in his latest outing.
This is harder, but Saturday metro grade in Adelaide does look a really nice box for him to tick off, and he gets conditions to suit from a good barrier.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Insulation
Furphy Handicap (1250m) – 3:07pm AEST
I’m a big fan of Brave Star and this looks another really nice race for him.
Brave Star won each of his first two starts back this time, albeit in weaker company at Werribee, but he’s been decent in some tougher metro races in Victoria since.
He’s hard fit and another one that looks as though he’ll relish racing in Adelaide metro company.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Brave Star
Thomas Farms Handicap (1000m) – 3:42pm AEST
This is a decent rise in class for him, but Clarence couldn’t have been more impressive out at Balaklava last time, and he looks a very progressive type.
The Sir Prancealot gelding finished second at each of his first two starts before giving them windburn at his latest.
With further improvement, something like this does look the next logical target for him!
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Clarence
Thanks And Happy Retirement Pam Macdonald Handicap (1250m) – 4:22pm AEST
Alpine Flyer made a very promising return to the races out at Murray Bridge and I am happy to stick with him when he makes his return to town on Leon Macdonald Stakes Day.
Alpine Flyer has recorded a career-total four wins and two minors from eleven starts, but I thought that his fresh effort over 1200m this time hinted at improvement.
He strips fitter and is yet to finish worse than second at three previous second-up attempts.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Alpine Flyer
Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) – 4:57pm AEST
The former Penny Edition Stakes, now fittingly named for the great Leon Macdonald always draws a quality field, but I think that See You In Heaven is a clear standout top pick this year.
See You In Heaven has been a great horse for Richard & Chantelle Jolly since debuting, picking off some really nice races along the way.
She returned to record an eye-catching win in the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes (Spring Stakes) over this route a fortnight ago, and I am only expecting improvement for that effort.
Suggested Bet: No. 14 See You In Heaven
SkyCity Handicap (1400m) – 5:30pm AEST
A wide-open race to end the day and at publish, we’re looking at $8 the field!
Spitfire Sun is chasing a hat-trick, and I am going to have a small each way play at current odds ($10 at publish).
Spitfire Sun has improved with each run back from a break, culminating in his consecutive wins at Gawler and Bordertown most recently.
This is another rise in class, but he’s certainly earned a crack at metro company.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Spitfire Sun
