James Tzaferis has landed on two at Morphettville this weekend.
It's Finals Day in SA with nine races that are each the culmination of a racing series across the state during the spring. In recent years, the meeting has thrown up plenty of nice horses and several subsequent Stakes winners so I'm tipping that will again be the case.
One horse that is already a multiple Stakes-placed at her best is Arugamama, who clearly looks the horse to beat in the Skybeau Series Final over 2500m.
The Andrew Gluyas-trained mare ran fourth in this race last year but I feel she is a much more seasoned stayer this season. She bolted in to win by six lengths over this track and distance two starts back, then was far from disgraced when on the heels of the placegetters in a strong racing at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
There is a lack of depth in Saturday's race and, as such, she will carry much more weight than her rivals – 60kg after Taylor Johnstone's claim to be exact. I think it's a winnable for weight for a horse that has tactical speed and can settle in the first four.
With even luck, she will win and the $2.50 that is readily available looks attractive.
In terms of a value bet, I'm keen to have something each-way on Bamyan Buddha in the Happy Trails Series Final over 1600m.
I've seen enough from the horse in his two runs this campaign in the Gawler Cup and John Letts Cup to think that he's going well. I think he's well suited dropping back to 1600m and he might be ready to peak third-up.
In an open race, I think he represents some value at $14.
SAY FROM SA
BEST BET: R2 #1 – Arugamama
BEST VALUE: R6 #2 – Bamyan Buddha