3 minute read
Track Heavy 9 and rail out 3m from 1300 to 300m and True the remainder.
Race 1 METRO & PROV MAIDEN HCP (1000m):
Keen on talented three-year 1. Not Another Reiby first-up for the new Joe Pride stable, with blinkers removed. Has trialled in typical forward fashion, and normally comes to hand quickly. Was scratched from Canterbury on Wednesday to run here.
Dangers: Consistent provincial Dissident filly 3. Dizzy Devine is a threat fourth-up with a significant gear change.
How to play it: Not Another Reiby to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 2 FILLIES & MARES MAIDEN PLATE (1200m):
Tricky sprint for the girls at set weights. This sets up nicely for two-year-old Sebring filly 9. Misty Dreams who got home okay in a deeper metro race on debut, and carries 2.5kg less.
Dangers: This should be peaking time for 2. Day Performer fifth-up in her first prep, and capable enough in heavy conditions. Resuming three-year-old 6. Too Hot To Trot draws the inside and has trialled well.
How to play it: Misty Dreams to win. Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 3 COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES MAIDEN PLATE (1200m):
Talented Deep Field three-year-old 1. Beholder is ready to rock after two impressive winning trials on rain-affected ground, and debuts in blinkers.
Dangers: Press Statement colt 6. California Press resumes off two forward trials, and was close up behind the smart Larkspur Run on debut in February.
How to play it: Beholder to win and quinella 1 and 6. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 CLASS 1 HCP (1600m):
Improving three-year-old 2. Game Theory fought on well in a deeper BM 64 third-up, and can absorb the jump from 1300m to a mile.
Dangers: 5. High Tribute has been even through the line in two runs at BM 64 grade since winning her maiden three runs back.
How to play it: Game Theory to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 BENCHMARK 64 HCP (2100m):
Tough local five-year-old 6. Arabolini was strong as an ox winning a similar race in heavy ground here just over a fortnight back. Hard fit, and well placed again at the weights with the new rider's 3kg claim.
Dangers: Progressive three-year-old 4. Duke Of Buckingham is shooting for three straight up sharply in distance fifth-up. Gap to the rest headed by honest five-year-old 3. Ocean Go; and seven-year-old mare 8. Joe's Joy who relishes rain-affected ground.
How to play it: Arabolini to win and quinella 4 and 6. Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 6 COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1100m):
Good quality sprint, with a few chances. Exciting Capitalist two-year-old 8. Sniper Legend was dominant from barrier to box first-up as a gelding at the provincials, and can conquer this tougher test.
Dangers: Consistent five-year-old 5. Shadow Colour has only won once from 16 starts, but placed a further 12 times. Loves wet tracks, and was gallant when only run down late at Kembla; while at big odds don't discard 9. Tessera who thrives on wet tracks.
How to play it: Sniper Legend to win and quinella 5 and 8. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 FILLIES & MARES BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1100m):
We close with the girls' edition, and this shapes nicely for emerging three-year-old filly 3. Duchess who dominated all the way here last time in a CL1. Takes on some smarter ones, but draws well to park on speed, and is the superior wet tracker.
Dangers: Exciting Winning Rupert two-year-old 11. Rupertaar gave nothing else a chance from the front on debut at the provincials. Tougher draw and opposition here, but if she gets across okay will take plenty of running down. Big gap to the rest headed by Panzer Division three-year-old 4. Linguee who draws the inside third-up.
How to play it: Duchess to win and quinella 3 and 11. Odds and Evens: Odds
