The rich Nullarbor is only a week away and Friday night's Gloucester Park meeting produces a pointer with leading eastern raider Spirit Of St Louis tackling some of the big local hopefuls.
He heads west with strong form in Sydney where was a beaten favourite when third last start at Menangle but before that had finished runner up in the Miracle Mile for the second straight year to follow a Group 2 win in in the Schweppes Sprint.
He is well drawn and gets every chance to measure right up.
Lavra Joe is back in peak form having overcome a wide draw to win the Bunbury Cup two back before coming from the same barrier again when runner up here last week.
He has the speed to take full advantage of a lower draw so must be a big chance.
Diego made it three straight wins when leading last time and while he draws deeper he had this barrier when he claimed the Pinjarra Cup two back.
Minstrel found winning form two back then worked when placed behind Diego last time so must be respected.
The spotlight is on Wagga on Saturday night where three smart females look the main players for the mares' title.
Soho Historia proved too good with a resuming win in her heat when she claimed the scalp of race rival Tay Tay.
That was her first outing since putting together a string of wins and placings against the best of the fillies last season. She will be fitter and can overcome the draw.
Madrid started a hot favourite in her heat and was too good in winning by 3.4m.
She has been taking on the top mares this time in, placing up to G3 level. She has strong claims.
Tay Tay couldn't match Soho Historia in her heat but she was a Menangle winner before that.
She has recorded some good results in strong company this time in and is a winning hope.
Progressive stallion Bettor Isolate can continue on his upward spiral in the entires and geldings final.
He proved too good when resuming in his heat despite giving away fitness to his rivals to make it five wins in a row, two of those coming in Group races.
He will have come on and can add to the winning sequence.
My Ultimate Ronnie overcame a similar draw to this when winning his heat, his first outing since a fourth in the Chariots Of Fire back in February. He should strip fitter and his form reads well for this.
Lightning Dan had to settle for third to Bettor Isolate last start but was a Menangle winner two back and the draw on the front row should aid him while Tasty Delight and Artillery are both each way players despite tricky draws.
At Melton on Saturday night Emma Stewart is the yard to beat in the Home Grown Classic finals with progressive youngster Gawn drawn to land a winning hat trick in the colts and gelding division and Tequila Delight set to back up her fresh win in the fillies' race.
BEST BETS:
Wagga Saturday Race 5 #10 Bettor Isolate – exciting pacer fitter for the resuming win and looks bound for better things.
Wagga Saturday Race 6 #4 Whereyabinboppin – he's been mixing it in good company and gets the right draw.
