Australian racing picks for Kembla Grange on Sept. 10

Spring has sprung Down Under, and that means it’s the time of year when Australia’s best horses start their campaigns toward some of the richest races in the world, including The Everest, Cox Plate (G1), and Melbourne Cup (G1).

Tonight’s feature meeting for TwinSpires players was originally scheduled for Rosehill Gardens but has been switched to Kembla Grange because of COVID-related restrictions in Sydney’s west.

The Theo Marks S. (G2) and Run To The Rose (G2) highlight a solid 10-race card, and TwinSpires players can get their bet back, up to $10, on all races if their first win bet finishes second.

Here are a couple tips for the big night at Kembla.

Kembla Grange, Race 3: #1 Pesto (9-1 morning line)

Pesto started his career in the United Kingdom, before he shipped to Australia earlier this year. The 5-year-old gelding has had three encouraging starts Down Under, and most recently finished fifth, in his first off the layoff, at Royal Randwick over a mile.

Pesto has trialed since that latest run three weeks ago, and the step up to 1 1/4 miles is going to suit the son of New Approach. He generally runs well with a run under his belt, too.

While I don’t think he’ll start at those morning-line odds, if we can get 5-1, that represents pretty good value.

Kembla Grange, Race 5: #7 Silent Impact (9-2 morning line)

From the barn of leading training duo Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, this three-year-old gelding by Japanese sire Maurice could be a star of the future.

Silent Impact his unbeaten in two runs, and last time out, he looked gone for all money when caught in a pocket, with no racing room down the stretch. When he did finally see daylight, he gapped his competition in the blink of an eye.

He’s had a recent trial since then to sharpen him up and looks well suited here.

I think he’ll be terribly hard to beat.

Good luck!