Race 1
Race Summary: FAR REACHING was heavily backed on debut but was narrowly beaten. With experienced gained should be hard to oppose. KINDRED HEART has been close up in all 4 starts and should get close again. TAKE YOUR PLACE was narrowly beaten on debut but did badly in both subsequent runs. FALCON HILL can only improve. VALIEVA finished well last time and could get into the mix. Watch the betting on the 4 newcomers.
Selections:
#3 Far Reaching, #6 Kindred Heart, #10 Valieva, #9 Take Your Place
Race 2
Race Summary: READY SET FIRE is the only runner with competitive form - the one to beat. Watch the first-timers, especially BEYNAC, FRENCH BOLT and ZAFAR.
Selections:
#7 Ready Set Fire, #9 Zafar, #1 Beynac, #4 French Bolt
Race 3
Race Summary: ENCHANTING LADY and WHAT A LUCY have been threatening but costly to follow. Either could be escape the maiden ranks. MAGIC SECRET is improving steadily and looking for Trifecta money. JUST THE TWO OF US found support on debut and should know more about it. MAGICAL STONES could make the frame.
Selections:
#4 Enchanting Lady, #3 What A Lucy, #9 Just The Two Of Us, #5 Magic Secret
Race 4
Race Summary: Difficult to assess - on his run in the SA Derby, TAXHAVEN should be deep in the red, however, on previous form DARK SILVER should be on top of him. Also then, DHONI, KAROO GOLD, CALLABURN, TEO TORRIATTE and DOUGLAS DRAGON must be in with money claims on collateral form.
Selections:
#1 Taxhaven, #3 Dark Silver, #4 Karoo Gold, #2 Dhoni
Race 5
Race Summary: I AM REGAL beat stablemate DONNA MO by 1.90 lengths, however, the 2kg difference should bring them together. Other inmate POORLITTLERICHGIRL cannot be ignored. QUIET REBELLION and ARIEL'S JET are more for the shortlist. TERRA TIME (big weight), OPERA GLASS and SPECIAL CHARM are looking for minor money.
Selections:
#3 Donna Mo, #6 I Am Regal, #4 Poorlittlerichgirl, #9 Ariel's Jet
Race 6
Race Summary: GILDA GRAY races before this - she has the form so if runs, respect. Stablemates PRETTY IN PEARLS and CRIMSON FOREST were not far off them recently and could get into the reckoning. IDEAL FUTURE with regular 4kg claimer aboard could challenge. ASHANTI SWORD is another one on the shortlist and warrants inclusion in all exotics. KAKIEBOS is improving again and could make the Quartet.
Selections:
#4 Ideal Future, #5 Gilda Gray, #7 Ashanti Sword, #2 Pretty In Pearls
Race 7
Race Summary: LEESON is performing well in long distance races but if he can get going early he could grab them late. KING'S EXPRESS will benefit from having a 4kg claim and could go in again. TWO MILES WEST comes off a maiden victory but looks to have lots more to offer - respect. FOSTINOVO needed his last run and despite 62kg on his back could take home a cheque. GOLDEN PAVILLION and ROMEO'S MAGIC are looking for Quartet money.
Selections:
#5 Leeson, #1 King's Express, #3 Two Miles West, #2 Fostinovo
Race 8
Race Summary: Tricky last race. VIVA DE JANEIRO is the 'safe' horse and should be involved in the finish again. Despite coughing, PUTINS PROMISE finished on top of him last time but needs to confirm. It could also get close between JP TWO THOUSAND and HAKAS KRAKAS but GUY ALEXANDER could have their measure if reproduces his last run. KASHKAVAL (hampered last time) deserves another chance.
Selections:
#6 Viva De Janeiro, #11 Guy Alexander, #1 Kashkaval, #7 Hakas Krakas
Best Win: #7 READY SET FIRE
Best Value Bet: #4 IDEAL FUTURE
Best Longshot: #4 IDEAL FUTURE
