RTA Runner of the Day
Racing Times Australia's Runner of the Day Selection for today's races
Racing Times Australia’s Runner of the Day is our best bet for the meeting — the horse whose profile, ratings, and setup make it the standout play in South Australia
24.10.26 Morphettville
Race 8 No. 3 The Stalker: $15
RTA Price: $4.16
Staking Suggestion: 0.25u Win + 0.50u Place
The Racing Times Australia Blackbookers, Horses to Follow and Forgive Runs continue to fire, and we see no reason to jump off The Stalker.
Blackbooked from his second-placed effort behind Miso 1/8/26 over 1400m on the Parks track, punters did not have to wait long for a collect on The Stalker.
He failed on the Heavy track over 1250m on the Parks, which is in keeping with his record, before The Stalker saluted over 1200m on a Soft track in Murray Bridge (SP $21). This was against a deep field of quality sprinters when The Stalker showed he did not have to lead to win
We are seeing a more mature horse this time in with The Stalker who is performing under 3 kg claiming apprentice Isaac Sit. Isaac has now ridden the horse at his past four starts for two wins and that win over Shadavar in Murray Bridge was huge, given it was the first time the horse had performed successfully there in six attempts.
Sit clearly has an affinity with the Stalker, which was on display last start with his ears pricked on straightening. The field ran along with the expected fast tempo while The Stalker protecting the inside without leading.
His ears were twitched back to Isaac on straightening who held his mount together before pinning back and letting down when asked. The classy Shadavar appeared to have them cold inside the 200m before The Stalker dug in deep again to draw away from his rival.
Racing Times Australia sees the market a little differently than the popular opinion. We do have Like A Drifter Favourite (RTA price $3.70), with our Horse to Follow Light In The Night (RTA price $4.54) from The Stalker race in Murray Bridge on 3/10/26.
Splitting the pair for us is The Stalker (RTA price $4.16) who presents as the clear overlay with the current market betting $15 about him. Not quite the full unit confident bet as we do respect Like A Drifter who is the up-and-comer of the field and Light In The Night with the possible Pace Map sweet spots.
Add the pressure of a much bigger sprinter in From The Block, and Race 8 in Adelaide on Saturday shapes as one hell of a race.
24.10.26 Morphettville
RT G4 P5.37 IR47 RF0 E20
R1 Maiden (1050m) 33.5 8/12 SCR 5
R2 CL2 B66 (1200m) 50 4/11
R3 0-68 B66 (1050m) 54 4/12 SCR 2,9
R4 CL1 B60 (1500m) 73 8/13 SCR 14
R5 0-62 (1200m) 57 5/14 SCR 11
R6 0-68 (1800m) 66.5 5/9 SCR 10,11
R7 BM80 (2000m) 37.5 3/12
R8 BM84 B89 (1200m) 75 7/10 SCR 1,7
R9 0-62 (1600m) 61.5 5/13
Gawler Race 3 No. 6 Mr Ribtickler No price available.
Suggested stake: 1u Win.
Fair Assessed Price: $2.35
The Blackbookers, Horses to Follow and Forgive Runs review from Gawler October 5 revealed two horses: Mr Ribtickler as the Racing Times Australia Blackbooker of the meeting while Rich Melody was the horse to follow.
Rich Melody got the job done in Strathalbyn on Wednesday, and now it's Mr Ribtickler's turn to keep the momentum going. He can follow in the footsteps of Yourworstnightmare (Blackbooked from Gawler 23.9.26) and Immortal Spirit the Horse to Follow out of the same meeting who won their next start.
Mr Ribtickler caught the attention with his jumpout last prep, and he did so again prior to his first-up run. Rochelle Milnes was caught deep from the gate before electing to stride forward on the strong pace.
The two leaders were having none of that, and so kicked up, forcing Rochelle and Mr Ribtickler to travel three-wide on the speed and without cover. With the rail out 5 metres that day, Mr Ribtickler covered a lot of extra ground.
Mr Ribtickler had Friday's rival Shogun Chikara racing to his inside throughout. Rochelle urged Mr Ribtickler to the front on straightening with the pair seemingly going past the inside horse.
Mr Ribtickler got the all-too-familiar "wobble" of a horse whose condition was giving out, and Shogun Chikara was able to grab the upper-hand and finish half-a-length in front of him on the line.
These two appear to have the race between them on Friday (Shogun Chikara Fair Assessed Price $2.65) with second Emergency Pretty Morsel (Fair Assessed Price $10) the only conceivable danger to the pair.
Milnes will not be keen to give up the early lead on the big striding Mr Ribtickler unless she can come off the fence and give her horse some room. Trainer Kristi Evans has given Mr Ribtickler another jumpout between runs, and this should be enough to ensure his fitness as Mr Ribtickler stays to track and distance on Friday with the rail back in the true position.
23.10.26 Gawler
23.10.26 Gawler
RT G4 P5.26 IR46 RF0 SW15
R1) Maiden 3yo (1100m) 12.5 3/12 SCR 3
R2 Maiden 4+ (1100m) 16.5 4/12 SCR 3,11,12
R3 Maiden (1500m) 14 4/14*
R4 CL1 R59 (1200m) 37.5 3/25
R5 BM64 FM (1200m) 58 5/12
R6 0-56 B54 (1700m) 45.5 3/12*
R7 Q90 (1500m) 53.5 6/15*
R8 BM64+ (1100m) 41.5 3/12* SCR 6