Best bet: Race 2 No.5 Somethingsostrong
Race 1:
(2) Covert Mission has rated well in three starts, should lead, and carries a strong SP profile. A deserving favourite.
(4) Sea Trader was well backed to beat Regal Award on debut, who has since shown to be extremely talented. That was over 1300 metres, though, and it’s a concern whether he has the pace for 1000 metres. .
(6) Divine Empress was well handled by Chateau Eze on debut. She’ll be better for the experience and is aided by the booking of Damian Lane.
(7) Sweet Vixen has seemingly trialled well for Cindy Alderson.
Selections:
(2) Covert Mission
(4) Sea Trader
(6) Divine Empress
(7) Sweet Vixen
Race 2:
(5) Somethingsostrong can place himself prominently to the speed and has shown the ability to quicken previously. He’s on a quick turnaround from a career peak and should be able to hold his form.
Visually, (4) Princess Painton showed a turn of foot last start, but context provided by sectional times suggest that she was simply staying on in a race that collapsed in front of her. She may be better suited over further in time.
(6) Soul Mistress was given a task at Moe last start, and back in distance isn’t necessarily ideal.
(2) Stormy Romance can improve, although he would need to.
Selections:
(5) Somethingsostrong
(4) Princess Painton
(6) Soul Mistress
(2) Stormy Romance
Suggested Bet: Win (5) Somethingsostrong
Race 3:
(5) Savisanta was sixth in the Derby in spring and was unlucky not to knock off his maiden prior.
(4) Fastobid finished quickly in a race that has produced strong form since. He can settle closer from a good gate, and it’s unsurprising to see he’s been supported in the market.
(6) Kaddari was fairly plain last start, but is aided by Ethan Brown.
(2) Bolshie has previously run to a strong level of form, but the wide gate with an apprentice engaged is a concern.
Selections:
(5) Savisanta
(4) Fastobid
(6) Kaddari
(2) Bolshie
Race 4:
(7) Afterberna was brilliant on his return at Pakenham, finishing in the meeting’s fastest last 400 metres. He has dramatically shortened in price, and I have no interest in taking even money, despite conceding he’s a tremendous winning chance.
(8) Australian Legacy has trialled as if ready for a promising debut.
(9) First Fifteen raced in an extremely strong form race last start and has trialled as if healthy and ready to make a strong return.
Selections:
(7) Afterberna
(8) Australian Legacy
(9) First Fifteen
Race 5:
(6) Bohemian Angel was excellent at Pakenham, running to a new career peak. She is lightly raced and can easily hold that level of form.
(1) Bold Bordeaux was badly held up at Sandown last start. Damian Lane takes the ride, and he can drastically improve as a result.
(2) Keep It Real broke his maiden nicely last start and will need to improve further, but that’s certainly possible.
(4) Flowerdale is talented, but is better suited over further than this.
Selections:
(6) Bohemian Angel
(1) Bold Bordeaux
(2) Keep It Real
(4) Flowerdale
Race 6:
(4) Yamashita’s Gold has been gelded since his last preparation and has trialled well alongside the favourite.
(3) Tower Bridge was second to Aeliano last start in fast time and has been transferred to Chris Waller, which is a positive.
(5) Hotspur Reale was heavily hampered at Cranbourne but still ran on into second and is ready to peak now.
(2) Symphony Of Colour was given plenty to do last start and can improve with fitness.
Selections:
(4) Yamashita’s Gold
(3) Tower Bridge
(5) Hotspur Reale
(2) Symphony Of Colour
Race 7:
(2) Houdini was given plenty to do at Sandown last start and finished well relative to the pace. He backs up quickly and is a deserved favourite; I have no interest in taking odds-on on him, however.
(1) Flag Flyer rated well at Moe last start. He’s likely to regress, but remains a chance.
(8) Lane Changer can improve third-up and over further; he has previously rated to the level required to win here.
(5) Two Sigma won well last start but would need to improve further to win here.
Selections:
(2) Houdini
(1) Flag Flyer
(8) Lane Changer
(5) Two Sigma
Race 8:
(2) Test Of Love has trialled extremely well leading into this campaign and has been met with strong market support. Hong Kong didn’t work out for him, but he appears to have settled well in Australia.
(1) Lethal Thoughts has been in good form this preparation and can acquit himself well under Zoe Waller.
(8) Sunset Beauty has been runner-up at her two previous starts despite starting at big odds. She can run well, provided she holds her form.
(3) Blistering drops back in class after running poorly at Pakenham last start. She won previously and can win if she runs up to her best.
Selections:
(2) Test Of Love
(1) Lethal Thoughts
(8) Sunset Beauty
(3) Blistering
