Guest Selector – Des Coppins

Here is what Des has for our readers this week and I hope you were on his Randwick tip from last week, Sergeant Major, @ a juicy $7.50 dividend on the tote!!!

Greetings John and all of the Fortuna readers

Well done again John, with good results on both sides of the Tasman last weekend.

I’ve been happy with my own  results over the past week and it was good to be at Randwick and cheer home ex pat Sergeant Major on Champions Day (labelled in the column 7 days ago).

We had a scratching last week while the other selection, Lantern Way, may have only  ran 4th but is certainly a black booker.

We are now well into the track rating dilemma. There’s no certainty when it comes to track conditions. We can be running on a slow track on Friday at which can turn to heavy overnight or well before. However,  this will all change as the consistency with heavy tracks generally hold sway throughout June, July and August. As most of us know the summer – autumn horses are now being eased out of the competition and replaced by the true blue winter gallopers; horses that are clearly adept in heavy ground.

I know a few punters shut up shop at this time of the year but I’m the opposite and I don’t mind sifting through the form and weighing up all the variables to hopefully get the result I’m looking for and sharing with others. But In saying all this, I think the new look Ellerslie track will never been a really tough test during this period.

For that reason a few stables may extend the programmes for their autumn gallopers to focus solely on Ellerslie which makes sense when you consider that Ellerslie is blessed with 5 more race days between now and the end of May.

From a tipping perspective I’d like to think we can keep on top of the winter scene this season and as a special offer to Fortuna followers the subscription to my race tipping email service remains at $240 ( gst inclusive for the next 3 months);  or $100 for May only with both offers giving you the rest of April (8 meetings) ex gratis. The three months will start May 1 and run through to the end of the racing season, July 31.
Simply email me dcoppins@xtra.co.nz if you’d like to know more.

Horses to follow at Ellerslie on Saturday and beyond include:

Acapelago: race 5

This horse is very forward to resume going on its recent trial at Ellerslie. The draw is awkward but I sense it’ll come into 12 or 13. Last season she ran a meritorious 4th in stakes company on debut at  Wanganui on a heavy track; albeit in a smallish field. Two or three handy types have come out of that race.

She had a short spell after that race in June and resumed with a winning run on a soft track at Matamata and she also ran second to a classy type in Prosegur on a heavy track at Tauranga.  She’s ready but whatever she does at Ellerslie the advice would be to stick with her in the weeks and months ahead.

Sterling Express in race three at Ellerslie

Maybe the weight scale doesn’t assist this 4-win galloper but he’s definitely worth a close look. He won’t take long in adding to his score; I’ll say within three starts!
He ran 14 times within 12 months and while he has winning form on all track ratings, good, soft and heavy he clearly likes cut in the ground hence his return to racing at this time of the year.

For the record he’s won two of his 4 starts on soft tracks and has never been further back than third in three starts on heavy ground. Perhaps one of his best runs was  narrow win over former group one winner, Wolverine, carrying just a half kg less at Rotorua on a soft 6.

Mossinvader, race 8

I’m not sure if this talented type will race anywhere but Ellerslie for the rest of the term because I’m not convinced he will handle the tougher ground in the months ahead.
The race on Saturday is well within his capabilities and he looks just about ready to win. He had the quickest sectionals behind Electron the other day and he likes Ellerslie and outside the NZ Derby last year in three starts here he’s never been further back than 5th.One of those runs includes a third behind the talented Orchestral and Mary Shan on a soft 6 on Karaka Millions night in January.

Stop press
The Sporting Tours Melbourne Cup tour this year is filling. My co tour leader Lisa Allpress welcomes you aboard as I do. We could have up to 100 people with us this year which will include bucket-listers as well as regulars. Feel free to drop me a line and I’ll arrange for a Sporting Tours operator to immediately get in touch and discuss the options.
Good punting!

Des Coppins
021 448 052

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