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Say From SA: Murray Bridge – Saturday, 13th January 2023

Analysis and suggested bets for nine-race card at Murray Bridge on Saturday.

Racecourse : Murray Bridge (Australia)
Racecourse : Murray Bridge (Australia) Picture: Press Photo

We are back at Murray Bridge on Saturday where we have to wait until late in the piece for our two plays of the day.

Hoping to finish the day with a bang our best of the day is in the last and is the Dan Clarken & Oopy Macgillivray-trained More Sugar (Race 9).

This five-year-old mare was an eye-catcher here fresh when rattling home down the outside to earn herself a minor placing. Usually one to possess a sharp turn of foot, the daughter of Winning Rupert failed to build upon the promising return last time out when always well back at Gawler in soft conditions but did make some late inroads to finish midfield after settling last of 10.

Stripping fitter on the quick turnaround, senior hoop Jason Holder pilots for the first time and gets the chance to settle his mount closer to the action from the inside alley. If the pair are able to somewhat utilise the gate early, I see her being awfully hard to hold out over the concluding stages.

The best value play of the day comes the race prior where I think Ballon D'Or can run a huge race fresh (Race 8).

Admittedly resuming well shy of a preferred trip and drawn horridly (16), the lightly raced four-year-old has shown plenty of ability in her early career, most notably finishing third in the Listed Adelaide Guineas back in April. However, her career peak came in her last run of the prep at Gawler when putting 3L to her nearest rival, posting a Racing and Sports rating of 87 in the process.

If the W Clarken & N O'Shea runner is able to return in similar form, she will be putting herself right in the thick of it and judging her recent jump out victory when beating home one of South Australia's most talented sprinters Taunting, this looks well on the cards.

Expecting Ben Price to head straight back from the outside barrier but with speedy horses like Miss Subtly and Lunar Hero engaged a genuine tempo is assured, which plays right into the hands of Ballon D'or who will be saved for the final shot at them and can be climbing over their backs late.

Say From SA

Best: Race 9 #5 More Sugar @ $4.20

Each Way: Race 8 #3 Ballon D'or @ $8/3.10