3 minute read

Track Heavy 10 and rail out 4m from 1350m to 1000m & 1m the remainder.

The maidens get us underway on yet another rain-drenched track. US-bred filly 7. African Daisy can strike first-up since late spring. Has had two trials up to 1200m and showed enough getting through heavy going during her first prep, and main market rival is likely to come out.

Dangers: Expecting a big second-up run from improving mare 6. Gracious Gracie who has a 50 percent place record from 10 starts; while both 2. Fashion Fort and improving filly 11. Promise The Moon (also accepted for Race 2) can run into the minor end of the prize.

How to play it: African Daisy to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Keen on Casino Prince filly 4. Not That Easy who makes her debut behind two steady recent trials. Bred to thrive on heavy tracks, and a strong rider booked.

Dangers: Trained on the course, 1. One Way Street has been well beaten in two runs this prep, but the longer trip and top metro rider booked can see him improve sharply in what is a plain race. Provincial filly 5. Promise The Moon is more likely to start here than the previous race, although would still need to improve a length or two on three runs so far this prep; while local two-year-old 6. Red Cobra is clear best of the rest after consecutive placings on heavy ground to start his career.

How to play it: Not That Easy to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Tough filly 10. Love Rules laboured late last start after leading on a Heavy 10 at Newcastle, but is much better when ridden with a sit. Draws to do that here over a bit more ground and suited under the set weight conditions, and is hard-fit deep into the prep.

Dangers: Metro filly 9. Bay Of Kiel will find this a little easier than her last couple at Newcastle over more ground being out of a Group 1 Oaks-winning mare. Not convinced, though, the inside draw does her any favours on this rating. Honest four-year-old 1. All About Ollie has been up for a long time, but placed in three of his last five, and bred to thrive on heavy tracks. Include 6. John Of Lancaster third-up; and 11. Whoopti Fizz at her fourth start; in wider exotics.

How to play it: Love Rules to win and quinella 9 and 10
Odds and Evens: Split

Any sort of pattern could be in play by this stage, but progressive filly 6. Sneaky Island emerges fifth-up in her first real prep, and slips back to maiden grade. Hit the line impressively in a handy CL1 at Canberra 20 days ago, and will relish the conditions, by multiple Group 1 champ Pierro and out of a US-bred mare.

Dangers: Metro three-year-old 1. Naval Seal is a threat despite failing to finish off in similar ground at Canterbury at his third start three weeks ago. Better placed and drawn here, and is out of First Seal who had the honour of beating the great Winx in consecutive races in the spring of 2014. Keep safe metro filly 4. Calm Down who improves second-up; while watching the betting on imported filly 7. Awesome Wonder having her first Australian start off an eight month spell behind two quiet trials.

How to play it: Sneaky Island to win
Odds and Evens: Split

After tracking the speed and surging past to win easy here at his third start, progressive Dissident three-year-old 3. Duke Of Gordon can salute again staying at the mile in a race of little depth. Lightly raced with plenty of wet track experience already.

Dangers: Progressive colt 1. Gwan So is the immediate threat after breaking through third-up in Canberra, and the second horse then bolted in his maiden last Friday. Gap to the rest headed by local three-year-old 4. Shorebreak who has been competitive enough deep into his first prep.

How to play it: Duke Of Gordon to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

Plenty of chances in this headed by progressive three-year-old 2. Publicist who is well placed coming back from stronger city grade off a seven week freshen-up. Has been sparingly raced since leading all the way to win as a heavily backed favourite 14 weeks ago, and tuned up for this with a strong soft track open class trial win.

Dangers: Big watch on metro filly and fourth start country maiden winner 10. Georgian Bay and the form behind that win is strong. Bred to handle the wet, and draws to get cover. Tough mare 3. Crazy Train did her best work late resuming at Hawkesbury, and drops in grade here. Metro filly 8. Mascherata is finally recapturing her best, working home third-up in a useful CL2 at Canberra, although a query in heavy ground; while provincial mare 4. Miss Scalini is over the odds first-up off a forward trial.

How to play it: Publicist to win and trifecta 2,10/2,3,4,8,10/2,3,4,8,10
Odds and Evens: Evens

Tactical and open battle. Like the value of Zoustar four-year-old 2. Sabino fourth-up in conditions he should love. Defied a betting to drift to finish hard and land her maiden two starts back before taken to the front and collared late in similar grade at Scone. More effective when ridden from behind.

Dangers: Progressive three-year-old 5. Daichi can figure second-up after working home late on a bog track at Kembla, and draws to get early cover. Keep safe resuming three-year-old 4. Cushy who has been given two trials by a smart city yard. Include improving colt 1. Mission Value who churned through the mud to land his maiden here second-up a fortnight ago, and has reportedly trained on well; while lightly raced home tracker 7. Oakfield Mahogany can improve sharply second-up with key gear changes.

How to play it: Sabino each way and box exacta 2,4,5
Odds and Evens: Split

We wrap the meeting over the short course, and this stacks up nicely for provincial three-year-old 3. Harlem Groove first-up at good odds. Consistent sprinter on rain-affected ground, and won the second of two recent trials.

Dangers: Smart metro filly 5. Sachello comes to hand quickly, and looks primed for a big return off two progressive trials. Consistent three-year-old 2. Selhurst Park hasn't missed a place in four runs this prep, and draws to get good cover right behind the speed. Provincial four-year-old 1. Crimson Rock who led all the way in heavy ground first-up; and last start CL1 winner here winner 4. Native Rock; both go through the exotics.

How to play it: Harlem Groove each way
Odds and Evens: Odds

BEST BETS:
R5 3. DUKE OF GORDON
R6 2. PUBLICIST

BEST VALUE:
R4 6. SNEAKY ISLAND