Summary of Best Bets:
Best Bet: Race 3 No.4 Caesar
Next Best: Race 2 No.3 Maybe Moet
Best Value: Race 7 No.2 Monte Kate
Race 1:
Tricky race to kick off proceedings.
Slow tempo expected up front which should play into the hands of (8) Saytara, interesting to see the tongue tie go on now also. The lightly raced filly should find the front and prove the horse to gun down.
(3) Defendant had no luck last start when savaging the line late, peak fitness now and can land a lot closer to the speed here.
(2) Viva Mauricio has been frustrating for backers, consistent, fit type but needs to put it all together now.
Selections:
(8) Saytara
(3) Defendant
(2) Viva Mauricio
Suggested Bet: No bet.
Race 2:
(3) Maybe Moet was a good thing beaten first-up with an outstanding run against the on speed bias. She’ll come on strongly off that effort and now finds James McDonald in the saddle from a smart gate.
(7) Manaajem returns off a 230 day spell, progressive trial with the latest over 1030m being easily the pick. She’ll land on speed and prove the horse to gun down.
Selections:
(3) Maybe Moet
(7) Manaajem
(8) Nymphadora
Suggested Bet: Win (3) Maybe Moet
Race 3:
Cracking race. Average speed expected up front overall.
Keen to see the talented (4) Caesar return to the races. He’s been gelded into this preparation and brought back with three trials. He draws to find leader’s back and should prove the horse to gun down.
(2) Bryant has the race fitness edge here, which is key, the query though is his lack of speed and the tight turning track.
Very keen to see (3) Is It Spectacular back at the races, back to back visually impressive trials, 1250m fresh is ideal.
(1) Reflect goes in the mix, impressive sole 820m trial, market support late will be key.
Selections:
(4) Caesar
(2) Bryant
(3) Is It Spectacular
(1) Reflect
Suggested Bet: Win (4) Caesar
Race 4:
Solid enough speed up front and a solid enough staying contest.
I was impressed by the late surge of (8) Centenario first-up after hitting a flat spot mid race. 14 days between runs and should improve sharply second-up rising to 1900m.
(6) Suit Of Armour comes through the same race and was doing his best work late, the rise in distance helps, as does the solid speed up front.
(10) Allegro Miss maps ideally from six to stalk the speed, she’s racing in career best form and has to be respected.
(5) Pleasure Artist and (7) Mirra Impact are next best.
Selections:
(8) Centenario
(6) Suit Of Armour
(10) Allegro Miss
(5) Pleasure Artist
(7) Mirra Impact
Suggested Bet: Win (8) Centenario
Race 5:
Mass scratchings here with half the field coming out.
(12) Strada Varenna draws out but will come in plenty of spots. James jumps on while the tongue tie is applied also. I expect this filly to be clearly the horse to beat now.
(3) Shalaa Gold comes in plenty spots barrier-wise as well, strips fitter second-up and looks better placed back in grade.
(10) Lady Olenna goes in the mix, strong last start win and has key race fitness on her side.
(5) Action King is next best and has been well backed post scratchings.
Selections:
(12) Strada Varenna
(3) Shalaa Gold
(10) Lady Olenna
(5) Action King
Suggested Bet: No bet.
Race 6:
Tricky race with plenty of speed expected up front.
This looks a nice race for the race fit (3) Pillow Fight. The rise now to 1550m is key after finding form last start over the 1400m, maps a treat to find the front and goes on top.
Respecting the in form (8) Emballee, should land off rails here and in behind the strong tempo and now gets McDonald in the saddle.
I expect (1) Gentileschi to improve sharply second-up rising swiftly in distance, the rain around Sydney also helps.
(4) Oakfield Mamselle is next best.
Selections:
(3) Pillow Fight
(8) Emballee
(1) Gentileschi
(4) Oakfield Mamselle
Suggested Bet: No bet.
Race 7:
Solid speed expected up front here over 1250m.
Happy to take on (5) Spirit Of Camelot off the 293 day break, he’s come up extremely short and maps poorly.
(2) Monte Kate has put back to back smart runs together and goes firmly on top. Maps to find leader’s back and is peaking fitness wise.
(1) Fine Vintage gets in well at the weights with the 3kg claim, another coming off a last start win and another who maps ideally.
(10) Starboard gets right down in the weights with 54kg, peak fitness now and ready to win.
Selections:
(2) Monte Kate
(1) Fine Vintage
(5) Spirit Of Camelot
(10) Starboard
Suggested Bet: Win (2) Monte Kate
Race 8:
Big field but not a huge amount of tempo expected up front in the last.
(13) Fast Track was a dominant last start winner and maps a treat here rising in grade, up to 1550m looks suitable now also.
(10) Soverato has been laid up 10 weeks and brought back with an eye catching tick over trial. The use of the claim also aids.
(4) Sister Daae finds McDonald and rounds out the numbers.
Selections:
(13) Fast Track
(10) Soverato
(4) Sister Daae
Suggested Bet: No bet.
