Best Bet: R1 (1) Call Me Zeus
Next Best: R4 (2) Broadway Street
Best Roughie: R7 (8) Blue Willow
Race 1
Excited to see the very talented Call Me Zeus debut at the races. I couldn’t have been more impressed by this 3yo’s back-to-back trial efforts, speedy, push-button and tactically versatile. Yes, short in the market, but for good reason. G’Day Ausbred has been gelded into this prep and looks completely forgotten in this market. Impressive sole 800m trial and should land on speed from gate 1. Silverwater Kid and Our Lady Peace have key race fitness. They both need to find improvement to win but look place chances.
Selections:
(1) Call Me Zeus
(4) G’Day Ausbred
(2) Silverwater Kid
(8) Our Lady Peace
Suggested Bet: Call Me Zeus WIN
Race 2
Wide open contest here. Bello Cavallo brings clearly the best form lines through his last preparation. He’s trialled up well enough and goes on top, but does look a touch short price-wise. Cool Rupert is a different horse when the shades go on, sharp second trial and has the figures to win this. Yeszem maps well from barrier 4 coming off a credible first-up run when wide at Wyong, ideal setup here. Wee Winn looks the one over the odds, comes through the same trial as Cool Rupert when matching motors. Look for late money.
Selections:
(2) Bello Cavallo
(1) Cool Rupert
(9) Yeszem
(7) Wee Winn
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 3
Another tricky race where the top end of the market looks rock bottom. I’ll side with the well-backed Katoto, but I’m wary $1.90 is short. Comes through a well-rated Maiden at Hawkesbury behind Extremely Tempted, strips fitter and will appreciate the 1300m. Sky Deck is intriguing, got a bit lost in his trials but looks suited over 1300m to kick off. Rolling Home has key fitness and race experience, and the smaller field helps offset the wide gate. Lafite and Unhinged are next best.
Selections:
(13) Katoto
(6) Sky Deck
(5) Rolling Home
(16) Lafite
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 4
Even race overall with no real speed expected up front over the 1200m. All eyes on Broadway Street, first up off a 143-day break with no official trials, home track plus Nash booking suggests he’s going well. Le Smoke is the danger after having no luck fresh at Newcastle and should get a clean run here. Codename has trialled well, inside draw and Chad booked are both positives. Pacific Mick gets in light with the claim and goes in the mix.
Selections:
(2) Broadway Street
(7) Le Smoke
(8) Codename
(4) Pacific Mick
Suggested Bet: Broadway Street WIN
Race 5
I can’t understand the price about Inspired Legend, dominant last start win when stepping straight to 1500m second-up. Up to 2000m now with added fitness reads well. Beauty Swift has had strong market support ($4 into $2.80) off a smart last start 1700m effort, though that was in country grade. Luna Bay went to a new peak last start over 2100m, which ties in well here. Lupa Capitolina has also been heavily backed, though beaten 6.9L last start.
Selections:
(2) Inspired Legend
(9) Beauty Swift
(8) Luna Bay
(10) Lupa Capitolina
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 6
Mrs Maree controlled the race last time but was dominant in doing so. Up to 1300m shouldn’t pose issues, and Nash sticking is a big tick. Bang On Time saluted at a short quote last start, peaks now and returns to the home deck from a lovely draw. My Proclama will land on speed from barrier 1 rising back to 1300m. The market watch is Blue Eyed Brigid, who has had sneaky good trials for a yard that knows how to land a first-up winner.
Selections:
(3) Mrs Maree
(4) Bang On Time
(6) My Proclama
(9) Blue Eyed Brigid
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 7
The best value of the day comes in the last. Blue Willow comes through a very sneaky 1000m trial, doing her best work late. She’s stabled at Bong Bong, so you’d expect plenty of work under the belt. Rosa Incanta improved sharply between trials, love the setup fresh over 1400m and barrier 1. Empress Of Japan can figure from a good draw, stays at 1400m second-up and will appreciate a firm deck. Glastonbury Girl rounds out the numbers from a sticky draw needing luck.
Selections:
(8) Blue Willow
(5) Rosa Incanta
(6) Empress Of Japan
(12) Glastonbury Girl
Suggested Bet: Blue Willow EW
