Best Bet: R2 (3) Enamorada
Next Best: R1 (1) Extremely Tempted
Best Value: R7 (10) Hellsing
Race 1
Eight of the best for one of the best days on the calendar, Anzac Day. Smart 2YO handicap to kick off proceedings, and we may get a guide toward the G1 JJ Atkins as we start to look north. Extremely Tempted was dominant on debut when running slick time, has the race experience edge here and is tactically versatile. Jaipur Maison is the big improver, second preparation after showing plenty of ability on debut. Loved his most recent trial and like the booking of Clark. I Am Dirty has trialled up sharply, Bjorn has been the king of the 2YOs this year in Sydney and looks to have another speedy type. Girl About Town is next best, sneaky good trials and has come up big odds.
Selections:
1 Extremely Tempted
15 Jaipur Maison
12 I Am Dirty
10 Girl About Town
Suggested Bet: Extremely Tempted WIN
Race 2
Cracking contest over the 1400m with solid speed expected. Loved the win of Enamorada two back before an effort full of merit last time when set an impossible task. Peaks now and has been kept up to the mark with a slick tick-over trial. Night Agent has done a terrific job this prep and deserves a crack at Saturday grade. Sticky map but the outside lanes may suit. Siracusa was a dominant Muswellbrook winner two back before dropping the rider at the start last time. Slick trial since and has come up odds. Mojave River has jumped out sharply in Victoria, the UK import comes up at a price and looks a solid enough setup.
Selections:
3 Enamorada
7 Night Agent
12 Siracusa
6 Mojave River
Suggested Bet: Enamorada WIN
Race 3
This race could change complexion with Surfin’ Bird unlikely to start from the wide draw with 61kg. Jellicious had to lead first up in a small field where the sit-and-sprint didn’t suit. Draws well and should land 1-1, key improver. Cantiamo has been well backed early, coming out of a strong form race behind Plaintiff. Drops in class and with added fitness is the danger. Wootton Lass is hard to catch, her best wins this but consistency is the knock. Ernaux is next best, smart trials but can mix her form.
Selections:
2 Jellicious
6 Cantiamo
11 Wootton Lass
12 Ernaux
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 4
One of the better betting races on the card. Hillier has caught the eye in back-to-back strong trials, gelded into this prep and looks to have ironed out application issues. Tricky draw but outside lanes may suit. Call Me Gorgeous is the horse to beat, back-to-back wins since returning from HK and gets a lovely setup here. Sergeant Major didn’t come up last prep, one soft trial at Gosford leading in and gets in light with the claim. Midnight Dynamite rounds out the numbers, slick trials but may need this run.
Selections:
9 Call Me Gorgeous
4 Sergeant Major
2 Midnight Dynamite
6 Emirate
Suggested Bet: Call Me Gorgeous WIN
Race 5
One of the hardest races on the card. If here, I’ll lean to Hay Street (dual accepted for R4). Smart recent form and an impressive last start winner off a 28-day break. Compensation looks to go well, sharp win last start which has produced two subsequent winners. The knock is the rise from maiden to town grade at short odds. Straand Beauty is intriguing, solid form and now under a new stable. Confidentiality also rises sharply from a maiden win but comes from a strong camp.
Selections:
15 Hay Street
12 Compensation
7 Straand Beauty
13 Confidentiality
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 6
Rotagilla was given a glorified trial first up after smart lead-in work, snagged to last and never got clear running. Second-up winner previously and has been kept up to the mark with a trial. Gate 12 could be a positive with the rail position. The 1/17 win record of Polymnia is the concern, racing well but needs to convert. Market support for Thrice is interesting, UK import first run for Waterhouse & Bott. Trials okay but market leans on UK ratings. Glad You Think So is next best, smart last start win and can go on with it.
Selections:
13 Rotagilla
7 Polymnia
11 Thrice
9 Glad You Think So
Suggested Bet: Rotagilla EW
Race 7
Race has changed significantly with key scratchings removing a lot of speed. Keen to find Hellsing, consistent form and forgive the runs where ridden poorly on speed. Should get control here and be hard to beat. Cristal Clear was good first up before a poor run second up in the Doncaster. Back in grade and likely lands on speed. Encap and Kintyre from the Portelli yard both go in the mix, draw well and have the figures.
Selections:
10 Hellsing
1 Cristal Clear
6 Encap
11 Kintyre
Suggested Bet: Hellsing WIN
Race 8
Very tough way to end the program. Leaning to Fiddlers Green, in great form and can handle the class rise. Nobler didn’t handle the wet last start and can improve sharply on a firmer deck. Poisen Point gets in light with the 3kg claim, sticky gate but has tactical speed. Crossbow comes off a win and also gets weight relief with the claim.
Selections:
5 Fiddlers Green
19 Nobler
16 Poisen Point
13 Crossbow
Suggested Bet: No Bet
