3 minute read

Track likely Heavy 9 and rail out 5m from 1000m to 350m into a Cut/Away:

Long time between drinks for a club that's been savaged by rain, but at least the track is on the improve now. We start with a competitive sprint for the girls, and like underrated mare 1. Golden Fantasy who can finally crack it for a second win third-up. Has been close-up in two runs off a long break, and thrives on heavy surfaces.

Dangers: Improving mare 4. So Sassy dug in late to win her maiden fourth-up at Mudgee and is hard fit, although a query in genuine heavy ground. Watch the betting on resuming local filly 7. Too Much Heaven whose only win from four starts came in heavy going.

How to play it: Golden Fantasy to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Now the boys' turn, and it shapes nicely for tough and consistent wet track sprinter 2. Zoom Outcome who shoots for back-to-back wins at fifth start in his first prep. On the quick back-up after careering away from the front at Port, and a leading country rider sticks solid.

Dangers: Home tracker 3. Gobbled resumes behind two quieter trials, but also very capable on rain-affected going; while 1. Atomic Surprise is clear next best off a dominant heavy track 1st-up win at Port.

How to play it: Zoom Outcome to win and quinella 2 and 3
Odds and Evens: Split

Tricky race but solid leaning to local five-year-old 1. Arctic Wolf fifth-up in conditions he likes, with key gear changes. Has been tackling tougher grades all prep, and drops back from a much deeper Class 3 at Eagle Farm, carrying only half kilo more after the claim.

Dangers: Tough provincial four-year-old 2. McNair is also well placed fifth-up over more ground. Did his best work late from well back at Scone, and this is a drop in quality. Gap to the rest headed by 4. Persian Beauty who mixes her form, but gets nice weight relief; while 7. Cliffs Of Moher rises in grade, but down in weight in his preferred heavy going.

How to play it: Arctic Wolf to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Back we come to the flying short course, and seven-year-old mare 5. Memphis Squaw can notch only her second win in 12 months. Has found the line from well off the speed in her last couple on rain-affected ground against deeper opposition, and she can settle back here behind a good speed and finish over the top late.

Dangers: Capable four-year-old 1. Poita must be the measuring stick fourth-up in suitable conditions. Flew home late in a deeper race at Port 15 days ago, but has paid the price up sharply in weight. Gap to the rest headed by 4. Gold Rhapsody fifth-up and 8. Blue Sky Moon sneaking down in the weights.

How to play it: Memphis Squaw to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

Same scamper distance for the maidens stacks up very well for home track three-year-old 1. Bow who can pounce at his third start, with a 2kg allowance and blinkers going on. Has worked home okay in two deeper maidens so far, and while this is first time on a heavy surface, he's bred to thrive.

Dangers: Keep safe progressive 3. Inari Fox who hit the line nicely resuming off a long break, and also bred to relish the ground; while four-year-old 4. Sir Ravenelli is a big watch returning nearly three months after failing as a short-priced favourite on debut at Taree, but had previously dominated a trial in heavy going.

How to play it: Bow to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

Hard to see resuming four-year-old 3. Field Regiment being beaten here. Did all but win the final two runs of his first prep last winter against better opposition, and has been given time since a nice soft track trial at the Gold Coast. Bred to handle the wet, and importantly drawn to stay wider and out of trouble.

Dangers: Several of these will battle for the minor money headed by resuming four-year-old 2. Duble Memory who has trialled okay ahead of his first run in 14 months. Include 5. Sportspak who is a query in the ground, but has an edge in fitness after four runs back. Both 1. Dimitri third-up off a long break; and 13. Royal Kew at his fourth start; are best of the rest.

How to play it: Field Regiment to win and first four 3/1,2,5,13/1,2,5,13/1,2,5,13
Odds and Evens: Odds

The girls' edition is more open with two leading chances. Like home track mare 1. Amber Deluxe rising significantly in distance second-up since late last winter. Worked home okay resuming behind a smart winner, and is well treated after the claim carrying 56kg.

Dangers: Improving filly 10. Casino Silk is a clear threat finding a thinner race deep into the prep. Keep safe Qld mare 2. Ballistic Babe who can improve second-up off a six week break. Local mare 4. Hellion Of Cluster second-up and 7. Shukkas resuming on a lighter weight after the claim; are both capable of running into a place.

How to play it: Amber Deluxe to win
Odds and Evens: Split

We close with one of the more open battles, although progressive three-year-old 2. Albanjo will be hard to beat in these conditions. Capped some good improvement this prep by surging home to win a handy CL1 last start in heavy ground, and this isn't strong.

Dangers: Home track mare 3. Flying Pretty doesn't win often, but has built a handy record on rain-affected ground; while 1. Wine O'Clock has enough class in this grade, and can improve sharply second-up. Include in wider exotics 5. Sweet Home Alabama second-up.

How to play it: Albanjo to win
Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS:
R2 2. ZOOM OUTCOME
R7 1. AMBER DELUXE

BEST VALUE:
R4 5. MEMPHIS SQUAW