Best Bet: R1 (12) Miss Lola
Race 1
(12) Miss Lola remains a maiden after eight starts. She was narrowly beaten by Golden Magnate at Moe on resumption, and that horse was well fancied last week at Caulfield. That was the best run of her career to date, and she can improve with fitness. She can also roll forward, which is a positive.
(5) Pray Tell has a huge stride and looks highly talented. From barrier nine, he may concede a fair amount of ground to Miss Lola, which could prove decisive. He is a very interesting horse and one to watch.
(8) Sonic Surge ran a good rating on debut before being fancied in a strong Sandown form race. He has trialled quite well in preparation for this.
(10) Azulita made up plenty of ground in a recent jump-out once asked for an effort.
Selections:
(12) Miss Lola
(5) Pray Tell
(8) Sonic Surge
(10) Azulita
Suggested Bet: (12) Miss Lola – Win
Race 2
(7) Meness was well fancied in a strong race at Flemington on debut, but he reared as the gates opened and missed the start by six lengths. The tempo was strong throughout, so he burned plenty of energy just to tack onto the back of the field. He has trialled well between runs and is capable of sharp improvement.
(11) Girl With A Pearl finished the race stronger than Star Of Macedon on debut, and that horse was heavily backed at Caulfield last Saturday.
(9) Vallice should appreciate 1400 metres and the more open track.
(4) Satono’s Shout looks well suited by the rise in trip and can improve off a good debut at Warrnambool.
Selections:
(7) Meness
(11) Girl With A Pearl
(9) Vallice
(4) Satono’s Shout
Suggested Bet: No bet
Race 3
(3) Foire De Trone was never really in the race last start but won well first-up. She is a nice horse.
(4) Realika probably has the best form to date, but she has an unfortunate habit of missing the start.
(5) Burlington Gate has lost form, but if he can recapture his best, he can win.
Selections:
(3) Foire De Trone
(4) Realika
(5) Burlington Gate
Suggested Bet: No bet
Race 4
(5) Ardashir improved as the market expected at Warrnambool last start. He needs every bit of 2400m, so a slow pace is some concern, but I thought he was entitled to be a touch shorter than he is currently.
(7) Empress Of The Sun continues to race well. She handles all conditions and must be considered a leading chance.
(3) Houdini is clearly the top pick on exposed form, but I am not entirely convinced 2400m is what he wants. The likely slow tempo helps, though.
(6) Hawk Power might improve over 2400m, and he is airborne for Paul Koumis.
Selections:
(5) Ardashir
(7) Empress Of The Sun
(3) Houdini
(6) Hawk Power
Suggested Bet: No bet
Race 5
(5) Didn’t Miss Many is deep into his preparation, very fit, handles the conditions and should get a lovely run. I make him 5/1.
(3) Lovelycut apparently did not handle the ground last start, so the heavy going may suit. She will likely be ridden cold, though.
(6) Louis Barthas won well last start and has since been transferred to Lindsay Park. He won in a high-pressure race last start, but this is a different assignment.
Selections:
(5) Didn’t Miss Many
(3) Lovelycut
(6) Louis Barthas
Suggested Bet: (5) Didn’t Miss Many – Each-way
Race 6
(6) Tan Tat Delight found the worst of the going on resumption. She is a really nice horse and should appreciate a soft run.
(3) Amping Lass has been crying out for further than five furlongs for some time. She finds the right race here and is fit and ready to run to her best.
(7) Blondie’s Award is underrated by the market.
Selections:
(6) Tan Tat Delight
(3) Amping Lass
(7) Blondie’s Award
Suggested Bet: No bet
Race 7
(10) Astiquer has shown ability in both starts and still has plenty of upside. He should appreciate getting to seven furlongs and looks capable of taking another step forward.
(3) Sparkling Luck brings strong recent form, maps well from a low draw and should get every chance.
(1) Ultra Blue will roll forward and is adept in these conditions.
(2) Cherish Me must be some concern over seven furlongs in testing ground, but she has strong enough form to be competitive.
Selections:
(10) Astiquer
(3) Sparkling Luck
(1) Ultra Blue
(2) Cherish Me
Suggested Bet: No bet
Race 8
(6) Riproar is building toward a peak performance and is better suited over six furlongs.
(7) Rodriquez has never raced beyond 1100m and rises to six furlongs from his first-up run over five. He seems very short inside 3/1.
(13) Olivia Rose has previously performed to a high level, can roll forward here and is third-up now.
Selections:
(6) Riproar
(7) Rodriquez
(13) Olivia Rose
Suggested Bet: No bet
