Summary of Best Bets:
Race 7 No.7 Maybe Moet (Best Bet) – Trialled sharply and maps perfectly first up in a race with strong tempo.
Race 2 No.1 Alphard (Next Best) – Quiet but smart recent trials, maps ideally and finds James on debut
Turf Talk:
- Track is True entire.
- Expecting an even surface overall.
- Tempo is likely to dictate race outcomes across the meeting.
Race by race overview
Race 1:
A very even 1550m Maiden to kick off proceedings.
(1) Baja Baby draws well here coming off an impressive first-up run, added fitness now and smart tactical speed in a race that lacks tempo.
Both (3) Explicit and (4) Viva Mauricio come through a very fast-run 1400m contest last start and look better suited stepping up to 1500m on an easier tempo.
(5) Equinox Legend is in a very similar boat but will need luck to get into this contest from a plain barrier. Tricky race.
Selections:
(1) Baja Baby
(3) Explicit
(4) Viva Mauricio
(5) Equinox Legend
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 2:
Above-average speed expected up front over the 1250m.
Happy to side with the McDonald–Waller combination in (1) Alphard. Back-to-back soft trials suggest he’ll be ready to run well first-up, with the inside draw the cherry on top.
(8) Impuriteze and (10) Scrumptious round out the numbers as place chances.
Selections:
(1) Alphard
(8) Impuriteze
(10) Scrumptious
Suggested Bet: Alphard WIN
Race 3:
Smart contest overall with plenty of speed engaged up front over the 1100m.
It looks a lovely second-up assignment for the dominant fresh winner (6) Albany Road. Gelded into this prep, the penny has dropped and he should find the 1-1 and get his chance.
(5) Ready To Shine has been trialling up like a rocket, though this is a strong fresh assignment.
(4) Agarwood debuts for the O’Shea & Charlton camp and goes in the mix.
Selections:
(6) Albany Road
(5) Ready To Shine
(4) Agarwood
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 4:
Speed on speed on speed here.
(6) Calga Power found the line well behind Albany Road last start, is at peak fitness and maps well off the speed.
(8) Johnny strips fitter second-up and can improve, with the fast tempo expected to suit.
(10) Watson and (7) Extra Heights round out the numbers.
Selections:
(6) Calga Power
(8) Johnny
(10) Watson
(7) Extra Heights
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 5:
Wide-open event with plenty of winning chances.
The consistent (2) Doradus goes on top — sticky gate, yes, but he has solid tactical speed and should be sent forward by Schofield early.
(7) Emballee is in a similar boat, drawing wide and lacking tactical speed, but is a consistent type who should be hitting the line.
(6) Marebello comes off a last-start win but needs further improvement fourth-up; the booking of McDonald is key.
(9) Tokyo Star backs up quickly after ticking the 1900m box last start and is another with a tricky map.
Selections:
(2) Doradus
(7) Emballee
(6) Marebello
(9) Tokyo Star
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 6:
Average speed expected up front.
I’ve been impressed by the improvement (6) Centenario showed between trials, looking strong in a very good 1200m heat two weeks ago on the Kensington track. He maps ideally fresh and is well suited over the 1550m.
(10) Ivan’s Hero gets in well at the weights with Grima taking 3kg off and, combined with a smart map, shapes as the danger.
(1) Bat Out Of Hell loves the track and trip, likely to land on speed but looks a better horse on rain-affected ground.
(9) House Of Cards is next best, place chance only.
Selections:
(6) Centenario
(10) Ivan’s Hero
(1) Bat Out Of Hell
(9) House Of Cards
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 7:
Plenty of speed expected up front over the 1250m to round out the program.
Very keen to finish with the progressive Yes Yes Yes mare, (7) Maybe Moet – she has been eye-catching at the trials this prep, draws perfectly first-up and looks well suited over the trip.
(4) Happy Bellie is a tricky horse to catch but was excellent last start behind Albany Road; a repeat likely wins this.
(11) She Moves Too is a market/parade watch with two quiet trials and a good draw first-up.
(8) Nandina rounds out the numbers second-up with the 3kg claim.
Selections:
(7) Maybe Moet
(4) Happy Bellie
(11) She Moves Too
(8) Nandina
Suggested Bet: (7) Maybe Moet (Win)
