3 minute read
Track likely Soft 6 and rail out 6m from 800m to WP and 4m the remainder.
Race 1 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2200m):
Honest provincial four-year-old 6. Dunlee is ready to win fifth-up, and at his 15th start. Has been working home okay in deeper races, and the longer trip and bigger track come at the perfect time.
Dangers: Expect five-year-old 3. Promesa to bounce back on a better surface after dropping out badly here eight days ago. Had previously hit the line well in that same Tamworth race, and a far more accomplished rider is back on. From that same formline, local mare 5. Lime And Sugar did her best work late, and will relish being back on the bigger track.
Hope to play it: Dunlee to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 2 COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES MAIDEN HCP (1400m):
Tricky battle of tempo and tactics. Like the debut placement for Vadamos two-year-old 3. El Super who was a $150K NZ Ready to Run purchase, and has looked strong in two progressive trials. Bred to get further being by a high class European who won a Group 1 at 1600m and Listed race at 2400m.
Dangers: Consistent three-year-old 1. Poseidon Ruler has been close-up in two runs back, jumping up sharply in distance last start. Will look to come over from the wider draw and take control. Include two-year-old 5. Apache Doc who has shown solid improvement in three runs to start his career.
How to play it: El Super to win. Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 3 FILLIES & MARES MAIDEN HCP (1400m):
Now for the girls' edition. Provincial filly 3. Supreme Play was very ordinary here at her third start when well fancied, but the eight day back-up on an improving track is a big pointer, and she can hit back.
Dangers: Home track filly 6. Swiss Scent can peak fifth-up getting back on her preferred surface.
How to play it: Supreme Play to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 MAIDEN PLATE (1100m):
Keen on capable three-year-old 3. Hurn Court who was good late first-up on a bog track, and normally holds his form into the next run. Will appreciate the bigger track, and an in-form and stronger rider has been booked.
Dangers: Plenty of interest in ex-Kiwi four-year-old 16. Rockamo if he gets a run resuming as a gelding. Scored a strong trial win, and the new country stable has made a string of gear changes. Consistent 5. The Regular Show has been placed in three straight runs over 1000m, although will have to get across from a tough draw. Keeping safe improving three-year-old 3. Eureka who worked home okay debut here, and drew to get a soft run; while resuming filly 8. Gold Lunar is the best of the rest.
How to play it: Hurn Court to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 CLASS 1 HCP (1200m):
Promising three-year-old filly 4. Artie's Aura resumes with winkers applied. Looks ready to go off a smart trial win, and charged home on debut to smash her opposition by more than five lengths.
Dangers: Progressive two-year-old 10. The Storm In Me was impressive finishing best first-up in heavy ground, and the longer sweeping run home here suits her pattern. Improving provincial filly 5. Empowerment is a threat fourth-up after landing her maiden two starts back, and then close-up in a handy Class 1. Included in exotics lightly raced filly 9. Miss Parmigiana after powering home late first-up; while last start winner at the track 11. Spritza Seritza backs up in eight days down in weight for this tougher test.
How to play it: Artie's Aura to win and first four 4,5,10/4,5,9,10,11/4,5,9,10,11/4,5,9,10,11. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1300m):
Got plenty of time for local five-year-old 2. Nowyunomi who can make it two from his last three back in grade. Was a dominant closing winner of the Winter Series, then made a sustained run before the turn in a much tougher Highway until peaking late. Sharp rise in weight off-set by senior country jockey going on.
Dangers: Progressive mare 5. Louder is the immediate threat third-up after doing her best work late in a deeper race at Kembla. Provincial mare 1. Pluck And Lucky surged home to beat a good BM 64 field two runs back before flat last start, but drops in grade, although the inside draw for an off-speed runner lumping 62.5kg will be tough. Keep safe Randwick filly 6. Princess Amira who resumes off a soft track trial win; while including provincial mare 4. Hello Sunshine in exotics.
How to play it: Nowyunomi each way and quinella 2 and 5. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m):
Competitive and open sprint to finish. Keen about seven-year-old mare 3. Island Grange resuming with blinkers off for a new stable. Draws to get a handy trail, and can come to hand quickly behind a nice trial.
Dangers: Home track filly 7. Baiyka has had three mixed runs back when well in the market, although pulled up with a respiratory condition last time. Little drop back in trip is a plus, but she hardly savages the line. Provincial mare 2. Enamour has been given nearly 11 weeks since a dominant front-running win in similar grade. Carries the same weight after the claim, and will roll forward and give a sight fresh; while 5. Chevron Prince is another one returning off a forward trial.
How to play it: Island Grange each way. Odds and Evens: Odds
