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ROSEHILL GARDENS – BEST BET: Race 2 # 7 – PEACE OFFICER
He returned in style when winning first-up at Wyong and did it easily, recording a career peak figure. The gelding was well fancied late in the trade, stalked a moderate tempo and put his rivals away with a burst of acceleration. Further, he recorded one of the fastest final 200m splits of the meeting, went through the line full of energy and ran solid time relative to the day. He has since trialled well behind Group 1 winner Think About It and wasn't extended in that heat. The Clarry Conners trained galloper excels on dry ground, drops 3kg, and all key indicators suggest he is above
ROSEHILL GARDENS – BEST VALUE: Race 6 # 5 – BANANA QUEEN
She went to a new level when winning the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) eight days ago and ran slick time. The mare had the nose roll on for the first time and, although she had every chance in the run, she showed late strength to put her rivals away. Moreover, the margins confirmed the quality of the race and repeating that performance can put her in the finish. In addition, she has a fitness/platform edge over some key rivals and can control the tempo. Each-way.
ROSEHILL GARDENS – SECTIONAL STAR: Race 10 # 18 – LAVISH EMPIRE
He arguably should've won first-up at Kensington after having excuses in the straight after being checked/blocked for a run at a critical stage. The four-year-old had his momentum haltered, and once clear, he became unbalanced but got his mind back on the job to flash home for second. His visual late strength was backed up by the clock with Punters Intelligence recording; he ran one of the fastest final 200m splits of the meeting in 11.61. The anticipated genuine tempo will suit the Snowden galloper, who excels in high-pressure races, and his sectional profile supports this. Expect him to be savaging the line. Each-way.
BATHURST (SUNDAY) – COUNTRY PICK: Race 8 # 5 – MOLLY NAILS
Both her runs this campaign have had merit, and she is ready to peak third-up. First-up, she got too far back, had excuses, and had the race shape against her. To her credit, she picked herself up and savaged the line to run third behind Smashing Eagle and subsequent winner Garza Blanca. Second-up, she had too much to do from a wide draw and ran a slick 600m-200m split before peaking on her run. The Goulburn-based mare receives a significant barrier change, allowing her to settle closer, and the rise to 1300m is ideal. She looks hard to hold out with even luck.
