The Goodwood Tips and Best Bets 2024

Here we are, the third and final weekend of what has been a cracking carnival.

The recent prizemoney increases have certainly worked their charm and it has attracted some of the country's best horses to race in Adelaide.

This week we are again faced with a terrific program, with arguably South Australia’s biggest event, the time honoured G1 Goodwood set to be decided.

This year is the first time the race has reached million dollar status, with a cool $547,250 going to the winner.

The Goodwood is a race run over 1200m for 3YOs & upwards at set weights & penalties with a capacity field limit of 20 plus 4 emergencies at Morphettville.

This year we have 17 acceptances.

A couple of interesting stats to take note of:

• Just five favourites in the last 34 years have saluted
• Since the race was changed from a Handicap in 2006, just the four winners have carried less than 56kg.

 

 

Track Conditions

The track is currently rated a Good 4.

The weather gods are smiling above with no rain forecast and racing will be conducted on an ideal surface.

The rail is out 4m for the entire track.

 

The Map

I Am Me (Blake Shinn) from barrier one will jump straight on the bunny and lead with Oscar’s Fortune (William Pike) from barrier 8 to settle outside leader.

Must be said, for a G1 I'm not expecting the tempo to be overly strong with minimal pressure engaged early.

I can't be the only one thinking this however and this might play right into the hands of a few runners.

Vilana (Todd Pannell) from out in barrier 16 may attempt to cross, with versatile runners Johnny Rocker and Climbing Star also pushing forward to hold a prominent position.

 

The Favourite

The Western Australian star mare, Amelia’s Jewel headlines nominations sitting currently $4 favourite at the top of the market.

She is already a Group One winner by claiming the Northerly Stakes over 1800m, yet this is sure to attract the doubters with big questions over her formlines.

She comes into this off the back of two cracking runner-up efforts, including her latest behind Overpass in what was a high rating race.

While she is third up and now rock hard fit, connections can't shake the questioning from punters as to why she would stay at 1200m.

On that fact alone she simply doesn’t represent any value in my opinion and I'm expecting her to ease.

 

Watch Amelia's Jewel and Oscar's Fortune place in The Quokka

 

Tips

Oscar's Fortune

He is the other WA visitor and a talented 3YO at that, however he appears to have been missed in early markets.

Surely if Amelia’s Jewel is a chance, then this bloke must be given plenty of respect.

He claimed the scalp of Amelia’s Jewel two starts back before running a super 3rd in The Quokka last start.

On each of those occasions he met Amelia’s Jewel at level weights, however is now the recipient of a whopping 3kg weight drop to just 53.5kg for this event.

Considering the favourite is currently $4 and this bloke is $11, that makes it an easy decision with who we will be on!

Rates $5.50

 

Benedetta

There wouldn't be too many more consistent horses in Australia.

At least for horses still searching for G1 glory!

This mare has the amazing record of (14:7-0-4) with all three of those unplaced efforts coming against G1 company, where she has finished 4th on each occasion with 1.8L being the biggest losing margin.

The icing on the cake is she now gains the services of arguably the best in the business in Jamie Kah.

She maps to again do no work, especially back here around her old stomping ground and be very hard to hold out late.

Another that surely reads as overs at the current $9.00.

Rates $6.00

 

The last start efforts of Benedetta and I Am Me 

 

I Am Me

Another mare that simply doesn’t know how to run a bad race, especially considering she invariably makes her own luck up on the pace.

I am expecting her to lead these from the rails draw and given some marginally less pressure up front, should have that little bit extra at the finish.

She was far from disgraced here in The Sangster two weeks back when pressured throughout up front by Estriella, before just peaking final 50m.

Profiles extremely similar to Benedetta, yet we are getting a slightly better price.

Must be included amongst the main chance and is also slight overs in the early markets.

Rates $7.

 

Stretan Angel

Possible knock-out hope having had nothing go her way in all three runs this time in.

First-up beaten 3.1L behind Estriella in what was obviously a high rating race with 57kg.

Second-up against admittedly inferior company was simply a tragedy beaten.

Last time out also to be beaten just 2.9L in The Sangster especially considering she covered ground throughout was extremely meritorious.

Down on the minimum carrying just 52.5kg with the blinkers going on this filly is more than just a cheeky chance.

Rates $15.

 

Others worth mentioning as value plays that should be included in all multiples are Climbing Star and Sghirripa with both clearly overlooked by early market assessors.

 

There are loads of tips for today's racing in our Horse Racing Tips market at theGreatTipOff.com.