3 minute read

Track Good 4 and rail True.

Provincial four-year-old 2. Niccyas is ready to peak fourth-up getting on to a bigger track. Has chased home a couple of more than handy winners in his last two, and well treated here carrying half kilo less.

Dangers: Coffs three-year-old 1. Fighting Magnus fought hard to the line behind a promising one at his third start, and only needs to get in from the tricky draw to be in the finish again. Improving 3. The Winter Sun disappointed first-up when well backed, coming out of that same provincial race as the top selection; while 5. Thieve is the clear best of the rest resuming at home off a six month spell.

How to play it: Niccyas to win. Odds and Evens: Split

The girls' edition is a little thinner in quality which augurs well for resuming metro filly 6. Healthy Beauty who can overcome a wide draw. Suited fresh on the bigger track giving her more time and room to settle, and fitted with two progressive trials.

Dangers: Home track three-year-old 2. Alenia will also look to tuck in from a wide gate coming off a good closing effort first-up here 17 days ago; while 1. Oakfield Feather can run into a place on debut behind a provincial trial win.

How to play it: Healthy Beauty to win. Odds and Evens: Evens

Progressive home track mare 2. Miss Kingston has more upside than this lot, and steps up from a tough Class 2 win at third run this prep.

Dangers: Keep safe 4. Foxy Xenia resuming with blinkers removed, and carries only 1kg above the limit after the claim. Doubtful if 5. Don't Doubt Katie backs up in three days off a fair effort at Taree, although she has been sparingly raced this prep. Consistent nine-year-old 10. Red Cupcake has a poor win record, but hasn't missed a place in four runs this prep; and draws to get nice cover; while 1. Wallace Street resumes off a lengthy break and two trials.

How to play it: Miss Kingston to win and box exacta 2,4,5. Odds and Evens: Evens

There was plenty to like about the debut win of local three-year-old 1. Two Ya Got last spring before being turned out. Looked the goods in a recent trial, and despite the tricky draw, seemingly has plenty on what looks weak opposition.

Dangers: Improving four-year-old 3. Taketheshot led the top selection home in that recent trial, and has been given 25 days between runs; while both 4. Dalavin and 5. Our Boy Malcolm resume, and can run into a place.

How to play it: Two Ya Got to win. Odds and Evens: Odds

Honest six-year-old 2. Angel's Voice represents good value here fifth-up. Has been close-up under the same weight in his last couple, but this is the kindest draw he's had, and can get a far more economical run right behind the speed.

Dangers: Obvious big watch on home track Snitzel three-year-old 8. The Hungarian who debuts off two forward trials, with key gear additions. Watch the betting too on 11. Flying Annie resuming behind two trials for only her second start, and drew the inside. Included in exotics resuming Xtravagant filly 14. Wealthy Girl; and ex-Victorian four-year-old 4. Burdekin who is having his first run for the new local yard.

How to play it: Angel's Voice each way. Odds and Evens: Evens

Now for the restricted stayers, and there are typically a stack of chances headed by provincial six-year-old 3. Dundee who can put two wins together here dropping in grade. Went off the boil having shown plenty in his early races, and although the handicapper has pushed him up sharply to 60.5kg after the claim, he's still on the rise this prep.

Dangers: Honest 4. Ollivander went home best to win a similar race last start, and hasn't been further back than second in his last four. Local four-year-old 1. Sir Diamond was a strong provincial BM 58 winner two starts back, but faces a task here from an outside gate under a huge weight. Include 9. Kingdom Of Gold who can improve further third-up; 11. Oakfield Warpaint down in weight; and three-year-old filly 14. Abbey Bridge third-up in trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Dundee to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Very keen here on lightly raced and talented provincial filly 4. Fumiko who resumes behind two trials up to 1000m. Both wins so far have come fresh in stronger provincial company, and she will relish the long stretch here.

Dangers: Good class mare 8. Very Sharp is the immediate threat from a handy draw having never missed a place on her home track. Underrated four-year-old 9. Red Beryl resumes without publicly trialling, but has built a solid 25 percent win rate from only 12 starts; while keeping watch at bigger odds on improving mare 10. Alexeyeva who carried 60kg to a dominant fourth-up win in weaker grade; and 2. Air Marshal who has been freshened up via a winning trial.

How to play it: Fumiko to win and quinella 4 and 8. Odds and Evens: Evens

BEST BETS:
R4 1. TWO YA GOT
R7 4. FUMIKO

BEST VALUE:
R1 2. NICCYAS