Miracle Mile and Chariots of Fire winner Catch A Wave appears for just the second time this campaign and will be out to atone for a narrow defeat when resuming.
That was a surprise defeat as a hot favourite but he was far from disgraced when he led to go under by just a nose in his first outing since his Group 1 double in Sydney.
Those victories have him as second pick in early betting for the Eureka and he has won three of four attempts when second up so will be improved.
He is unbeaten at this shorter distance and will be building towards next month's target so can atone.
Bettor Isolate looks his main danger as he had been racing consistently before a well-deserved win last time at Kilmore when he used the sprint lane effectively. He could do something similar from this draw.
Wheres The Gold was beaten just a nose last start and races well third up so could be ready to show the form that saw him put together a string of wins last time in while Bulletproof Boy is well drawn and races well third up so will be building in fitness.
Boom three-year-old The Lost Storm is the other Eureka contender in the spotlight in the following race.
The colt returns from a Brisbane raid where he scored two big wins, cruising home by more than 16m in the Group 1 Queensland Derby last start.
He draws on the back row but he is all class and is building an imposing record so is clearly the one to beat.
The Kiwi Son Of Mac is four from four since arriving in Australia, the last three of those wins coming at this circuit.
He led and proved a class above by close to 14m last time and while he takes on a tougher line-up and draws wider winning form is hard to knock.
Techys Watching led to win when resuming at Kilmore, his first outing since placing behind The Lost Storm in the Group 1 Vicbred Final here in December. He is fitter and progressive.
Dougs Platter is consistent and raced well over the Brisbane carnival, winning three back and placing in the Derby last time. Doubt he could turn the tables on The Lost Storm but he is a first four player.
BEST BETS:
Menangle Saturday Race 2 #3 Ripp @$4.40 – there was merit in the fresh effort and with the aid of a good draw improvement is likely.
Menangle Saturday Race 7 #2 Defiant @ $2.50 – only missed narrowly fresh so with added fitness and a good draw he can atone.
