Summary of Best Bets
Best Bet: R1 (1) Aryaam
Next Best: R3 (9) Spice Prawn
Next Best: R6 (3) Nesrine
Best Roughie: R4 (10) Mumbai Maharani
Race 1
One of the strongest two-year-old fillies Maiden races you’ll see for a while. We may lose a couple here to the Magic Night on Saturday so betting decisions may be left until race morning.
(1) Aryaam is impossible to go past off the back of two outstanding and professional trials. She should land on speed from the draw and is bred to handle a soft track.
(4) Leonessa is the clear-cut danger after trialling impressively on both occasions, the latest behind Rachini who finished 4.2L behind Golden Slipper favourite Chayan. She maps to stalk and get to the key outside lanes.
(6) Satono Glow would have gone on top if she had the two trials. She couldn’t have been more impressive in her sole 800m hit-out, running slick time with a push-button turn of speed. The lack of experience is the only concern.
Selections:
(1) Aryaam
(4) Leonessa
(6) Satono Glow
Suggested bet: Aryaam WIN
Race 2
A 1000m Maiden for the colts and geldings where plenty of early speed looks likely. This race appears more open than the fillies’ contest.
(7) The Next Episode ran slick time in his latest trial when skipping through soft ground. He maps to get the run of the race and can be forgiven for his debut effort in the Golden Gift when pulling up lame.
(6) Steel Will and (2) Belvante have both trialled impressively. Belvante has the race experience edge but may map a little awkwardly.
(5) Peyton is next best after smart on-speed trials but looks a touch under the odds at the current quote.
Selections:
(7) The Next Episode
(6) Steel Will
(2) Belvante
(5) Peyton
Suggested bet: No Bet
Race 3
The three-year-olds attempt to break their maiden here.
(8) Spice Prawn is absolutely flying but hasn’t had the race shape or barriers go her way. She peaks fitness-wise and if she lands on speed from gate five she will be very hard to beat.
(1) Eynesbury is the danger, bred to handle wet conditions and coming off a run where things didn’t go her way. Barrier three is a big positive.
(4) Nordic Viking looked plain first-up and may have had an issue but had strong market support and could bounce back.
(3) Maidoff was good last start despite track favours but the wet track raises a slight query.
Selections:
(8) Spice Prawn
(1) Eynesbury
(4) Nordic Viking
(3) Maidoff
Suggested bet: Spice Prawn WIN
Race 4
The fourth and final Maiden on the program and a good race with plenty of speed engaged over 1100m.
(5) Compensation has looked sharp in both trials and has also run time. He maps ideally and deserves favouritism, although the short price is the only knock.
(8) Metallic Cat is interesting after working home well in a recent 1050m trial and should land outside the leaders.
(10) Mumbai Maharani looks a big price. She has trialled well twice and maps to get the leader’s back. At double-figure odds she’s worth a spec.
(9) Look Here rounds out the numbers but looks about right in the market.
Selections:
(5) Compensation
(8) Metallic Cat
(10) Mumbai Maharani
(9) Look Here
Suggested bet: Mumbai Maharani E/W (best roughie)
Race 5
An extremely even 1600m contest with genuine speed expected.
(2) Freight Train has trialled impressively in three appearances and goes on top despite the long break.
(9) Fiddlers Green can mix his form but should be ready to peak third-up stepping to 1600m.
(6) Unique Ambition drops sharply in grade after finishing 2.2L off stronger company but must overcome a wide barrier.
(7) Dreams Come True brings competitive Melbourne form and the market will be a key guide.
Selections:
(2) Freight Train
(9) Fiddlers Green
(6) Unique Ambition
(7) Dreams Come True
Suggested bet: No Bet
Race 6
An apprentice race where (3) Nesrine looks well placed.
(3) Nesrine strung together three smart wins last preparation and resumes here after a sharp on-speed trial. She should control the race from the front.
(6) Vanessi maps perfectly from barrier one to land behind the leader and is a model of consistency.
(5) Ernaux is talented but unpredictable.
Selections:
(3) Nesrine
(6) Vanessi
(5) Ernaux
Suggested bet: Nesrine WIN
Race 7
(7) Our Queen has impressed in trials this preparation since joining the Baker stable. She can land on speed and prove hard to run down, although the 1100m is a slight query.
(4) Polyglot has race fitness, drops to midweek grade and gets a strong jockey booking.
(3) Grand Prairie maps slightly awkwardly but the lack of speed helps and the wet track is a plus.
(6) Icarian Dream is racing well and drops back in class.
Selections:
(7) Our Queen
(4) Polyglot
(3) Grand Prairie
(6) Icarian Dream
Suggested bet: Our Queen WIN
Race 8
A big field to finish the program.
(7) Monte Veebee gets to 1400m and returns to the home track from a good draw which should allow him every chance.
(15) Zoufield was solid winning fresh but faces a tougher assignment here.
Selections:
(7) Monte Veebee
(15) Zoufield
Suggested Bet: No Bet
