3 minute read
Track likely improving to Good 4 and rail True:
Race 1 MAIDEN HCP (1400m):Race 1 MAIDEN HCP (1400m):
We start with the maidens on a course that should work back into Good range. Like locally-trained five-year-old 11. The Gossiper at big value fourth-up. Has shown steady improvement, finishing close-up at Armidale last time despite an awkward jump.
Dangers: Naturally resuming four-year-old and early short-priced favourite 1. Spiral Architect is the big threat having his first outing for a new stable since switching from the Gold Coast. Hasn't started for nearly a year, but took on deeper races over the border last time, and tuned up for this with two progressive provincial trials. Improving 3. Master Tyler can run into the minor money deep into the prep with a little weight relief.
How to play it: The Gossiper each way
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 2 MAIDEN PLATE (1000m):
Potentially handy form maiden at set weights here, and it stacks up a treat for resuming Sooboog three-year-old 2. Devilicious starting his second prep. Didn't live up to dominant market support in his first prep, although looks a stronger galloper this time in, having won both lead-up trials.
Dangers: Liked the closing debut run from 11. Villa Treville and this is a nice follow-up task, with a more senior country jockey taking over. Watch the betting on More Than Ready colt 1. Absolute Victory who debuts behind a very quiet trial; while ex-Victorian 3. Mr Scorefield first-up for the new home track stable; 6. Avoid Me fourth-up; and 10. Serifice fifth-up from a better draw; are all players in trifecta and first four bets.
How to play it: Devilicious to win
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 3 MAIDEN PLATE (1600m):
We jump out to the mile trip, and this shapes as break-through time for progressive local three-year-old 6. Vis I Do fourth-up, with the top country hoop hopping aboard. Has powered home late in his last two to be beaten under a length, and the extra furlong now is ideal. Can settle a bit closer too having drawn closer in instead of wide out, and he only needs clear air from the 400m.
Dangers: Big watch on improving provincial filly 13. Yamba's Award who has rushed home into a place in her last three, and gets some weight relief here, with winkers on for the first time. Another filly on the rise is 7. Covert Witness fourth-up, and well placed from the draw dropping back from tougher provincial opposition; while deep into her prep provincial filly 10. Lonhreel gets back out to her best distance. Be shocked if the winner comes from outside this quartet.
How to play it: Vis I Do to win
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 4 BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1600m):
Staying at the distance for another battle in what is always a competitive grade of galloper. Fancy still lightly raced six-year-old 9. Daksha can peak here third-up at good odds over a furlong further, and snap a long wait for a third career win. Found the line well only 11 days ago in a handy provincial BM 64, and a stronger and more experienced jockey takes over.
Dangers: Plenty of respect for 5. Rockbarton Roman who comes off a strong CL2 win fourth-up, and draws the inside. Must keep safe too progressive mare 10. Show Me Your Love who hit the line hard resuming behind the former; while home tracker 8. Zoffany's Gaze coming through some strong formlines; and consistent 11. Turnaway third-up over further; are on the next line.
How to play it: Daksha to win
Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 5 CLASS 1 HCP (1200m):
This shapes ideally for lightly raced filly 6. Leggy Point second-up. Failed to attack the line first-up for five months at Scone, but draws to get a softer run here, and key gear changes have been made, including the addition of blinkers. The one to beat!
Dangers: US-bred and locally trained two-year-old 5. Burling will likely go right back from the outside barrier and try to reproduce his flashing debut win at big odds here from last 24 days ago. The query is whether he gets enough speed up front to allow him to get over the top, but the extra furlong is an obvious plus. Another Scone visitor, 7. Holly Road is over the odds from a soft draw third-up; while home track mares 1. Ever Bella who boasts a 50 percent place rate from 14 starts; and 9. Allande who likes to settle back and hit the line; go in trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: Leggy Point to win
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 CLASS 3 HCP (1400m):
Underrated mare 9. Innervoice has been banging on the door all prep, and gets her chance here to break it down fifth-up. Ran home hard from the back to beat all bar the winner in three consecutive starts, including the higher rating Jardel Cup, before again finishing off okay in a BM 74 at Dubbo. Draws to do little work back in the field, and getting out to this distance now is the ticket to break a long winning drought.
Dangers: Honest local 6. Taketheshot draws to get a nice trail just off the speed fifth-up. Watch the market closely with six-year-old stablemate of the top selection 2. Lord Avatar resuming behind two quiet country trials; while another one first-up, 8. Fusaichi Family has more than enough ability to win fresh despite not having publicly trialled, but will need some luck from a wide draw.
How to play it: Innervoice to win
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m):
Back to the pure sprint trip to close the card, and confident locally-trained three-year-old 2. Who Goes There can salute again after an explosive front-running win on debut at Scone. Ran a sizzling 32.33 seconds for his last 600m that day, and despite being naturally up in weight for this next test, he looks the winner staying at this trip.
Dangers: Doubt there are any if the top fancy jumps cleanly, but from a handy draw, speed home track mare 6. The Affirmative can run the quinella; while 3. Indian Thunder from a soft barrier; and 9. Shamalie first-up behind two trials; fight out the minor end of the prize.
How to play it: Who Goes There to win
Odds and Evens: Evens
BEST BETS:
R2 2. DEVILICIOUS
R5 6. LEGGY POINT
BEST VALUE:
R6 9. INNERVOICE
