The Group 3 JRA Cup, run over 2040m this Friday night, is not the best race on the night but there is no doubt tthe result will either make orbreak the hearts of some of the respective connections. Several sets of eyes will be on the runs of Alcopop, Precedence, Above Average, Linton and Chartreux as they must show they are ready to make the next step this campaign. Each of the aforementioned runners however have one worrying aspect to contend with: there might not be enough mileage in their leg

The Group 3 JRA Cup, run over 2040m this Friday night, is not the best race on the night but there is no doubt tthe result will either make orbreak the hearts of some of the respective connections. Several sets of eyes will be on the runs of Alcopop, Precedence, Above Average, Linton and Chartreux as they must show they are ready to make the next step this campaign. Each of the aforementioned runners however have one worrying aspect to contend with: there might not be enough mileage in their legs for a strongly run 2040m. Barring Linton and Above Average (both second up) the other runners are third up from a spell.

In all punting we must weigh up the pluses and minuses and then look towards what actually represents value. Precedence is quoted at $3.30 and Linton at $3.70 and their percentages total 57.32% which is the equivalent of $1.75. Considering the main event/s both are chasing you would imagine their trainers have kept a certain amount of improvement up their sleeves. There is a chance they might weaken halfway down the running but by the same token their class could also easily carry them to victory. In other words this is a "just watch" race at their prices. Why take the risk when there will be better, and clearly fitter, $3.30-$3.70 chances over the next few weeks.

The best race, class wise, on the night is clearly the wfa 1200m Manikato Stakes and to some the 1/1 available for Hay List looks like money for jam. This is the best field Hay List has ever met and the likes of All Silent, Eagle Falls and Bank Robber have better credentials but all three are first up and some punters would even say they may be past their super best. The way the race will be run will see Hay List sitting off the pace set by Bank Robber and perhaps Reward For Effort and subsequently a couple of lengths ahead of All Silent and Eagle Falls on the home turn. Is it 1/1 thereafter? Taking 1/1 about a horse clearly rising in class is never a good bet so I will stay out of betting at that price. My wee bet will be on a horse I think has enormous untapped potential and is trained by a "freak" by the name of Bart Cummings. At $17 I believe Latin News is the value of the race and is certainly a horse I will follow over the carnival.

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