Go with blinkered Friar Tuck
When a filly takes on the colts the conditions have to be just right for her to win.
IN FORM. Friary Tuck has won his last two starts and off a light weight can make three in a row at Scottsville today. Picture; Supplied.
We have seen the likes of Dahlia, Allez France and most recently Taghrooda who won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
But when the filly is a handicapper it is not always that easy to tell whether she is capable of beating the boys, especially when she has to give weight all round. Punters will be faced with that problem at Scottsville in Race 6 on today when Goldie Coast tops the weights for a MR 90 Handicap over 1400m.
Her last two runs were against the best fillies and mares in the country. Two runs back she raced in the Grade 1 KRA Fillies Guineas over 1600m at Greyville and finished eighth, 4.70 lengths off Maybe Yes and followed that up with another eighth place, beaten 12.25 lengths, behind Beach Beauty in the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes.
She is a four-time winner but she has failed to place when previously taking on the colts although she has not finished far behind. She raced in a MR 74 Handicap over 1450m at Clairwood and finished ninth, 3.40 lengths behind Go Again and then ran a 1.45-length fifth to Cinema Scope.
Even with Anton Marcus up it is hard to go with Goldie Coast and it could be better to go with Friar Tuck. Mark Dixon’s charge has improved since fitted with blinkers and has won his last two starts, both at this course, over 1400m and 1600m respectively.
In addition, Friar Tuck will be ridden by 4kg claiming apprentice Brandon May, which means he will carry just 52.5kg. He also has the advantage of jumping from barrier No 1.
