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They raced on a soft 7 and the rail chopped out. Back and wide was the place to be. Having said that, there was only one blow-out (Le Cavalier in the Federal), with five well-supported gallopers winning on the day.

Race 1

ASSAULT’N’ BATHORY ($7) led a moderate tempo and METRALLA ($8.50) sat back on the rail and ultimately prevailed in a blanket finish. It was a good ride by Courtney Gravener to work the mare off the fence and present him into the race at the right time. Assault’N’Bathory probably wasn’t advantaged in the inside and was very tough. MONKERY $17) and AWAY SHE GOES ($31) hit the line well and connections will be encouraged by their runs. The favourite FRANCISCO PIZARO ($2.40) got caught wide early and fought it out finishing behind the leading division and will be fitter and likely appreciate a drier track. BLACK WAND ($7) didn’t handle the conditions.

Race 2

The favourite MOTIME ($4.0) led untested and looked the one on turning. He found it hard-going on the inside and the winner and placed horses all came from the back down the middle. ATTAINMENT ($4.80) and the Todd Smart stablemate MISS FARLOO ($5.0) ran one-two appreciating the slow conditions. Both were the medium of good support. STATO ($14) and READY SET SING ($6.5) also hit the line well. Stato raced keenly in the middle stages adding merit to his effort.

Race 3

The market gave four a winning chance and Our FINVARRA ($4.60) prevailed. The favourite KID GALAHAD led and looked to be cruising at the turn, but again the inside division were no match for those who sat back and swooped down the middle. VIGORISH ($11) and DANGEROUS BREEDING ($5.0) were close up and SUNEEZE ($11) also hit the line well out wider. Kid Galahad was vetted and no abnormalities were found and the rider reported that the gelding had hung out and did not respond to his riding in the straight. Suspect he’s worth another chance on a dryer surface. The well supported INVINCIBLE DREAM ($4.60) raced wide throughout. There was merit in BOY SCOUT’S ($41) effort; disadvantaged when forced to switch to the rail when making his run.

Race 4

JEDDAH AHEADAH ($1.75) looked one of the best bets on the day and duly obliged heavily backed. Jess Taylor gave him a cosy ride sitting one-out behind the pace and she moved forward at the 600m and found the best part of the track. As we have pointed out, the mare is tough and managed to see off GLAMARAMA ($14) and WHICKER ($9.0). Glamarama raced handy on the inside and it was a good effort on her behalf to stick on the way the track was playing. Whicker came from the back and was the widest runner. RED ON MY MIND ($6.0) overraced early and was under pressure from the 600m and was found to have no abnormalities. FUTURE TIME ($7.50) led but found it hard-going on the rail at the business end and is worth another chance.

Race 5

The favourite ZARAFAH ($4.20) proved too good and is was a strong effort. She sat midfield three wide and Lever presented her in the best ground at the turn. She came hard to beat CANBERRA TRAM ($81) also found the middle of the track in the straight and battled on well. VIA CONDOTTI ($31) was the widest runner and hit the line hard. THE SENATOR ($5.0) was back after a slow off and had to use the rail in the straight. He looked the winner at the 150m but was another in that spot to be run-over. He had ‘next time’ written all over him on that effort. EXROCKA ($5.50) didn’t handle the wet ground.

Race 6
The Federal was open on paper but the winner LE CAVALIER ($21) was one of the least fancied and brought up a double for local trainer Norm Gardner and apprentice Courtney Gravener — who was suspended for excessive use of the whip. Le Cavalier was back early but pulling on the slow tempo and Gravener elected to take him forward and lead sitting three horses off the rail. He led all the way down the straight and just held out GARROS ($10) who was awkwardly placed from the 800m and dead set flew when he got clear air. There was merit in the performances of the first five home with QUANTUM TIME ($5.50) disadvantaged having to race on the inside. The Matt Dale pair FUN TICKETS ($4.80F) and SHANGANI PATROL ($6.50) looked to have every chance.

Race 7
The three best-backed runners ran the quinella but not quite in market order. IL PROFESSIONALE ($4.20) raced wide and was good coming down the middle, holding off OKSAL ($3.10F) — who raced nearer the rail— by a lip. JOY AND MIRTH ($3.80) and KATATONIC (19) both hit the line well behind the pair, and didn’t have the best of it in the straight. GOODRADIGBEE ($101) finished it off well from the back, and although well beaten might be one to throw in next time.