Summary of Best Bets:
Best Bet: Race 5 No.2 Diddle Dumpling
Best Bet: Race 6 No.3 Maybe Moet
Race by race overview
Race 1:
Tricky 2YO contest to kick off proceedings with a massive field engaged and plenty of tempo expected up front.
Happy to side with the Baker-trained (1) Euripedes, now into his second preparation and appearing to have taken strong improvement from two recent trials. He should cross from the draw and take up the running.
(8) Universe has been underrated in the market, the blue blood gaining James McDonald and likely to enjoy the gun run on the leader’s back from gate one.
(10) The Wildling has had two solid lead-up hit-outs and despite drawing wide should be sent forward early.
Selections:
(1) Euripedes
(8) Universe
(10) The Wildling
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 2:
A cracking contest featuring several progressive types.
(4) Rajwa had no luck in a strong last-start race and now peaks third-up, mapping to find the 1-1 from the draw.
(3) Penpel should secure a very soft lead over the 1200m and his career peak came on a Soft 7, which suits conditions.
(1) Melanite also peaks third-up but must carry 61kg and may adopt catch-me-if-you-can tactics.
(6) Beverly Hills is the intriguing runner with James McDonald sticking following two very quiet but encouraging trials.
Selections:
(4) Rajwa
(3) Penpel
(1) Melanite
(6) Beverly Hills
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 3:
First of two 1900m races.
(9) Savvy Spy draws wide but should improve with scratchings and with Clark engaged can roll forward early.
(4) Defendant comes off a strong last-start win with McDonald retained but will require luck from the gate.
Selections:
(9) Savvy Spy
(4) Defendant
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 4:
Little early speed expected in the second 1900m event.
(7) Powerhouse should roll across from gate seven to lead and control proceedings, with ratings suggesting the rise to 1900m suits ideally.
(5) Kenmare Bay has an excellent track and distance profile and has attracted early market support, with wetter conditions favourable despite the wide draw.
Selections:
(7) Powerhouse
(5) Kenmare Bay
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 5:
Rain-affected conditions make this an intriguing contest.
(2) Diddle Dumpling appeals second-up after missing a recent run due to a superficial cut and now returns following a short freshen. She relishes wet ground and should find the rails in run.
(7) Slinky profiles as one of the better wet trackers and maps ideally, while (1) Sacred Rocks gets in light with the claim and boasts a strong first-up record.
Selections:
(2) Diddle Dumpling
(7) Slinky
(1) Sacred Rocks
Suggested Bet: (2) Diddle Dumpling WIN
Race 6:
A strong race with good speed engaged.
(3) Maybe Moet gets every chance from barrier one to make it back-to-back wins. The heavy track is a slight query but she is race fit.
(2) Southern Heiress is the main danger, peaking third-up with proven wet-track credentials and career-best ratings this preparation.
(7) Vanessi gets in light with the Grima claim and should secure the rails run from gate three.
Selections:
(3) Maybe Moet
(2) Southern Heiress
(7) Vanessi
Suggested Bet: (3) Maybe Moet WIN
Race 7:
Looks a race dominated by wet-track specialists.
(1) Bev’s Nine goes on top despite being lame at the gates last week, with the stable confident to back up. He profiles as one of the best wet trackers on the program and gains McDonald despite a tricky draw.
(4) Kimberley Secrets is the clear danger from gate one and also relishes wet conditions.
(8) Jaegers is arguably the best horse on form but remains an unknown on heavy ground, while (2) Piastri handles the conditions well.
Selections:
(1) Bev’s Nine
(4) Kimberley Secrets
(8) Jaegers
(2) Piastri
Suggested Bet: (1) Bev’s Nine WIN
Race 8:
Wide open contest to finish the meeting.
(14) Cellarmaster looks the horse to beat now gaining a start, though the wet track remains the unknown. Fitness and barrier position are positives.
(9) Piperita comes off a strong win and drops in weight with the apprentice claim.
(7) Mornington Pier profiles as the best wet tracker and should enjoy a strong tempo, while (5) Ivan’s Hero arrives in career-best form but faces a query on very heavy ground.
Selections:
(14) Cellarmaster
(9) Piperita
(7) Mornington Pier
(5) Ivan’s Hero
Suggested Bet: No Bet
