Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner’s $200 betting strategy for Cranbourne

News Corp form analyst Gilbert Gardiner is chasing value in the Cranbourne Cup and The Meteorite as he gives his $200 strategy and quaddie tips at Cranbourne.

Air Assault has a strong record over the Cranbourne Cup distance. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

News Corp form analyst Gilbert Gardiner gives his $200 betting strategy and quaddie analysis for Cranbourne on Saturday.

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FOUR-PLAY: $200 BETTING STRATEGY

RACE 6: BENCHMARK 84 THE LESTER (2025m)

$25 each-way DUKE OF CONDICOTE (12) at $10/$3.20

Third-up for the Ciaron Maher stable and ready to peak? Caught the eye late at Flemington second-up at 2000m, charging from next to last to run fifth beaten 3¾ lengths. Will not want to get too far back on Saturday with a short straight at Cranbourne but good speed in the race should suit the backmarkers. Duke Of Condicote had not raced for almost three years before this preparation so should only improve with each run.

RACE 7: FILLIES AND MARES PENDANT (1400m)

$50 win KONASANA (3) $4

Boxed on gamely behind the speed in a leader dominated race second-up at Flemington and the first three put a gap on the chasing pack. Konasana should better for the fitness and ready to peak now third-up. Respect favourite TIZ INVINCIBLE (1), finished just ahead of Konasana last start. Include MAWALLOCK (9) in exotics.

RACE 8: THE METEORITE (1200m)

$25 each-way REY MAGNERIO (6) at $6.50/$2.30

Luxurious price for a sprinter that has finished top three in 13 of 16 starts including seven wins. Lifted late to snare a deserved win at Flemington last start after three consecutive narrow defeats. Drawn perfectly in barrier four to settle in a prominent spot behind the speed and with even luck around the bend should take a power of holding out.

What. A. Finish. 😤

REY MAGNERIO finally comes out on top, claiming victory in the Cirka Always Welcome Stakes.

🎥 @wwos | #StakesDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/tI4o80WOjH

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 9, 2024

RACE 9: CRANBOURNE CUP (1600m)

$25 each-way AIR ASSAULT (8) at $10/$3.40

South Australian raider has won three of four at 1600m and thrives on fast ground. Wide draw a genuine concern but Air Assault has the tactical speed to cross and settle in a prominent position without doing too much work hopefully. Quite an open race overall with a number of chances, including the Group 1 winner PINSTRIPED, also awkwardly drawn in barrier one.

QUADZILLA

LEG 1 – RACE 7

TIZ INVINCIBLE (1) and KONASANA (3) finished second and third in a leader-dominated Group 3 at Flemington last start – with a big margin to the rest of the pack. Drawn out so will need some luck to cross the field but in good hands with jockeys Ben Melham and Damian Lane in the saddle. MAWALLOCK (9) has the ability to figure in the finish and loves fast ground. FLOOZIE (10) won first-up and Blake Shinn has remained aboard.

1ST LEG: 1, 3, 9, 10

Never looked back 🚀

FANCIFY leads from the front down the Flemington straight to win The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes over 1400m.

🎥 @wwos | #MelbourneCup | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/UsAxo5dsbg

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 5, 2024

LEG 2 – RACE 8

Hard to split the top four in the market. BARAQIEL (2) clear top pick on exposed form – won the Group 2 McEwen Stakes two starts back with a leg in the air at The Valley. Midfield last start in the Group 1 Champions Sprint but only beaten 2¼ lengths. NADAL (12) is a horse on the up and REY MAGNERIO (6) should get a lovely stalking type run. Watch for him late. Include ARKANSAW KID (1) and ROBRICK (8) as the spoiler. Unlike a lot of the opposition at the end of campaigns, Robrick has fresher legs third up.

2ND LEG: 1, 2, 6, 8, 12

LEG 3 – RACE 9

AIR ASSAULT (8) looks hard to hold out coming off a strong Listed win in Adelaide last start. Drops from 1800m to 1600m and has a wide draw to navigate. A good each-way chance all the same. PINSTRIPED (1) need only hold form to win this. Last start seventh in the Group 1 Champions Mile more than good enough Cranbourne Cup trial. IT’S A WILD NIGHT (9), RUNNING BY (10) and GLOBE (11) all with claims.

3RD LEG: 1, 8, 9, 10, 11

LEG 4 – RACE 10

OH TOO GOOD (8) is a $1.55 favourite for good reason. Strong winner two starts back at Geelong and touched off at Flemington in what has already turned out to be a solid form race. Drawn out but the lightly-raced five-year-old mare only knows how to run well – won three of six and been runner-up the other three times.

4TH LEG: 10

COST $100 FOR 100%

What a finish 👀

ELECTRIC IMPULSE gets the last laugh as she salutes in the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final.

🎥 @wwos | #OaksDay | #MelbCupCarnivalpic.twitter.com/x43RqcNHlN

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 7, 2024

SKINNY QUADDIE

Start with TIZ INVINCIBLE (1), KONASANA (3) and MAWALLOCK (9). In the second leg take BARAQIEL (2), REY MAGNERIO (6) and NADAL (12). In the third leg take PINSTRIPED (1), AIR ASSAULT (8) and RUNNING BY (10). Come home with OH TOO GOOD (8).

1ST LEG: 1, 3, 9

2ND LEG: 2, 6, 12

3RD LEG: 1, 8, 10

4TH LEG: 8

COST $100 FOR 370%

Originally published as Four-Play, Quadzilla: Gilbert Gardiner’s $200 betting strategy for Cranbourne