Going into the third day of the Newturf betting launch tipping competition and some of the entrants are already sporting significantly boosted betting banks, while others have entirely depleted theirs. For the vast majority though, it is still very much all to play for. On Wednesday, attention turns to the 19:40 North Light Derby, a G2 flat race for 5 year old horses over 1600m.
Top of the race card, the french-trained Terrien du Corta is a class act that looks hard to oppose. This colt has been placed multiple times in events of the highest order, including the Arc de Triomphe and Royal Team Cup, as well as a win in the Melbourne Cup to his credit. The fast ground conditions today may be less than ideal but the same could be said for many of his principal opponents and class can see Terrien du Corta victorious here.
From a betting perspective, it could be more interesting to try to come up with a forecast. Leading contenders for the runner-up spot appear to be Patte a Molle Arnede, Amazor and Pas Les As. Amazor will be super-fit for the race and is certainly interesting but the grey colt has often come up short in better class events. While this may not be the strongest field, he still looks set for minor honours at best. Our idea of the most likely understudy to likely favourite, Terrien du Corta, is Amazor’s stablemate, Pas Les As.
Like the favourite, there is little doubt Pas Les As would also be more at home on a softer surface too and his sole effort in a feature race where there was no cut in the ground was disappointing. However, without too many quality alternatives in the field, he could be good enough to make a bold show.
Suggestion: Terrien du Corta to win, reverse forecast with Pas Les As.
