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The rail is out 10m the entire. The weather has been fine in the Capital. With the promise of more to come the track is likely to just have the sting out. A feature day with strong fields.
Race 1 (1000m) Open
PRETTY WOMAN (4) resumed in the CL3 at Randwick beaten 1.7L. She has more to give and has some weight relief in this grade. In a sharp local Matt Dale barn and fitter should be winning. SMUGGLER'S RUN (5) resumed here in the 65 and was too good. She's still improving and enjoys a big weight drop. He can form the quinella. MAJOR TIME (1) won the 74 at Albury on a deep track before the lip defeat on the good at Queanbeyan this grade. Back after five days and can place. BLITZAR (3) and AKEED (2) would both be competitive at best, but they need to find it.
BET: Hard to go past the promising Pretty Woman.
Race 2 (1000m) Mdn SW
STAR SHILLING (7) is another strong winning chance for the Matt Dale establishment. Has switched from the Crockett barn in NSW and just missed both starts last preparation. He's been away a while but rates strongly and is likely to control the race from the rail. STAR TO FALL (9) is a Starspangledbanner filly on debut and Penza is a key jockey booking. Draws low and was just pipped in a recent Warwick Farm trial. A bold run is anticipated. HEAVEN'S DOOR (1) debuts drawn to advantage and the recent trial here was sharp. He'll get his chance. WHAT WILL BE (10) is likely to come back to racing improved. Draws out but may prove next best for the canny stable.
BET: With Star Shilling if the market suggests stable confidence.
Race 3 (1400m) CL1 SW
A good contest. DIATONIC (4) has the best peak performance and will improve quickly off the first-up run at Gosford at this trip. He shows plenty of promise and winning rider Innis is reunited. The Maiden win (at the mile) was recorded second-up. NEIDR DAWN (1) worked home evenly at Gundagai first-up when heavily bet to win. He was a big Wagga Maiden winner prior and has plenty of upside. Expect him to use the low gate and give plenty of cheek. SUPRA MARNIUM (2) spiked his figures delivering the Maiden at Newcastle this distance. A dryer track wouldn't bother, and it wouldn't surprise if he repeated. WHO'S IN WINNY (11) is third-up and brings solid provincial efforts over sprints. First go at the mile but she creates interest with Penza booked.
BET: Going with the Sydney-trained Diatonic.
Race 4 (1000m) CL1
ENZINA (2) runs along and delivered the Maiden comfortably at Hawkesbury first-up and then went back and was just nudged out in the CL1. She will use the rail and will be fitter again. In one of the nation's top barns and can bounce back. LETHAL LADY (6) resumes for the local Gardner barn and didn't come up in a brief second preparation. Wasn't beaten far in the Group 3 Black Opal before that so has the ability. No surprise if she's sorted and Penza's booking adds confidence. The betting will tell plenty. FIFO FILLY (5) is fast and was just nudged out on debut before belting the Gundagai Maidens by 4.4L bet a 1-4 favourite. She will be further improved and will take plenty of pegging back. NEGATION (4) resumes and will be very competitive if presented forward. He's raced well in stronger city grade, and Innis will give him every chance from the handy barrier.
BET: Enzina appeals most.
Race 5 (1000m) Bm60
SPARRING (1) resumes and is clearly the one to beat if presented on-song. He's a metropolitan performer and won his only fresh run by 6.5L on his home track at Albury. Owns a 3L Benalla trial win and Souquet sticks from that. Tougher sorting the rest. MEZZATORRE (12) resumed much improved winning the Maiden at Goulburn as expected. Lightly raced and draws low today. Fitter and looks capable of going on. I AM MIGHTY (11) is hard to catch but got closer at Gundagai and will be around the mark. MOOSHAKA (8) resumes for the Nick Olive yard and has trialled recently at the Sapphire Coast. He's been generally disappointing but performs fresh and is likely to have come on. The gate is awkward. EVANORA (5) resumes for the new barn. The first-up record is good and with Penza booked deserves a market watch.
BET: Keen on Sparring.
Race 6 (2000m) Bm65
BRAVE BOY (3) has been threatening at the provincials and was a 2-1 equal favourite between 2L at Wyong his latest. Finds the right race and is drawn to get every chance. LADY REDWOOD (1) brings strong city and provincial form and finds easier. Two-back was beaten a nose in a 72 at Randwick-Kensington and that stacks up. SWEET HONESTY (6) brings a win and placing this track over the mile and tackles a middle-distance for the first time. The lightly raced mare is back in class and keeps improving. Draws for the run of the race and the Dryden barn is flying. She's a player. STREET CRED (2) is a course and distance specialist going well.
BET: Backing Brave Boy.
Race 7 (1300m) Mdn
LALAGUNA (3) resumes off a Group 3 for the all-conquering Maher-Eustace yard and owns a Rosehill trial win. The placed effort was a lip defeat at Ballarat from the front. That's good form for this. JUMEIRAH BEACH (2) is also Sydney-trained and is ready to fire off the two solid runs back. Has delivered a big city and drops back to the sprint. Should have the early speed to manage the awkward gate. MISS ADRENALIN (5) resumed at Bathurst heavily bet and missed a whisker. Draws out but Penza aboard is a positive and the mare has plenty up the sleeve. Sydney-trained XTRAREVZ (8) settled back and was never a winning hope on debut. Brings two solid trials and the blinkers come off. The stable strikes at nearly 20% here and no surprise if he goes well.
BET: With Lalaguna.
Race 8 (1400m) Open - Federal
A good contest. READY TO HUMBLE (2) has been racing solidly in stronger races and Penza stays in the saddle. He's likely to push forward and performs wet and dry. In good hands and gets the nod. TORETTO (6) resumed at Rosehill but gave away a start and will be better for it. He has more up his sleeve and has placed 2/3 second up. An outside gate must be managed and that's the negative. HARD CORE (8) deserved the Nowra win at 66 level and then didn't get into a Gundagai feature. A dryer surface would suit and fitter he's a chance. WICHITA WARRIOR (7) has won two of his last three for the in-form Dryden barn and the 70 win here 35 days ago stacks right up. Draws for the run of the race but his best form is on wet tracks. PROPOSE A TOAST (9) resumes and the stable knows how to spring a surprise. Two-back he led beaten 1L in a Warwick Farm 72 over a mile. Keep onside. SKY DIAMONDS (5) is a top three-hope, but no rider is declared, and he's accepted for Rosehill tomorrow.
BET: Leaning to Ready To Humble.
Race 9 (1300m) Cl2
JOHNNY DASH (8) presents third-up seeking the hat-trick off heavily bet wins. He has more to give and has the early speed to clear the wide gate. The Neasham yard is flying and winning rider Adkins is reunited. PACIFIC FORCE (1) is an improver from the Matt Smith barn and raced favourite at Kembla Grange the latest but got too far back. He has plenty up the sleeve and should go close. BLOOD RIVER (6) found his best form winning first-up off a longish break. Lost the rider the one after and forget. Rolls up here on a 7-day return and rates strongly. DEFINITELY MAYBE (2) finished just ahead of stablemate Pacific Force at Kembla Grange off the Newcastle Maiden win. He will be further improved but draws a cruel gate. HOW DO YOU SLEEP (5) was just beaten here 12-days ago in a CL1 and can build on that.
BET: Johnny Dash can go on with it.
