| Race 1 2YO MAIDEN PLATE (1100m): |
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An exciting group of juveniles get the twilight card underway at set weights, and all aboard promising home track colt 4. Getty who re-loads nearly three weeks after a close-up and brave debut effort at the Gold Coast on a very shifty and dangerous track which saw the remainder of the meeting that day abandoned. Drawn to get to the outside here, and only needs to tuck in for cover from a tricky gate to be the one to beat.
Dangers: Another colt by Capitalist and trained on the track, 3. Capital Heart debuts off two winning trials. Stable has a big opinion, preferring this meeting rather than tomorrow's card on the course proper, and he gets first use of the inside. Watch the market closely too with Deep Field colt 1. Bases Loaded who starts his career behind two recent forward trials; while Godolphin filly 10. Shaken also debuts off two improving trials, and is beautifully bred by I Am Invincible out of 2014 Blue Diamond winner Earthquake.
How to play it: Getty to win
Odds and Evens: Split
| Race 2 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (1100m): |
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Same trip and weight scale for the three-year-olds now, and it shapes nicely for smart and resuming Astern filly 9. Parisal who looks to have this at her mortgage resuming behind two classy trial wins, and under the conditions of the race.
Dangers: From the inside draw, Written Tycoon debutant 1. Botanica can run a race behind two trials; while 4. Dakota Vroom by I Am Invincible also starts his career off a recent trial win in handy time.
How to play it: Parisal to win and quinella 1 and 9
Odds and Evens: Odds
| Race 3 3YO MAIDEN HCP (1400m): |
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Still with the three-year-olds over more ground. Like the placement here of country-based 1. Associate who has trialled okay at the provincials since missing by a whisker on debut at this track eight weeks ago. Draws to find a nice trail with cover, and stable is going great guns at the moment.
Dangers: Naturally, supremely bred filly 2. Call Di - by unbeaten UK superstar Frankel out of multiple Group 1-winning mare Samantha Miss - is a huge watch first-up for 15 weeks. At her second start before spelling, charged home into a place at Listed level over the spring carnival, and has kept ticking over nicely with two easy trials. Was scratched from Tuesday's Kembla meeting to be saved for the dryer track here. Gap to the rest headed by 6. Episodic who draws the fence at her second start; while 4. Outsider is some each-way value after a tidy provincial debut.
How to play it: Associate to win
Odds and Evens: Split
| Race 4 BENCHMARK 72 HCP (2400m): |
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Tricky tactical staying contest here, with a few strong hopes. None bigger than 3. Whangaehu who is ready for this significant step up in distance, with winkers coming off. Has been in the placings all prep, winning a similar graded race in heavy ground two starts back, and he again draws to finding a striking position right behind the leader.
Dangers: Keep a close market watch on the stablemate, 6. Oz Legend who comes back from three improving runs in BM 78 grade. Things didn't go to plan at Sandown for provincial-based 1. Made By Khan fourth-up in deeper class, and he was beaten a long way. That said, his previous Sydney form over 2000m was strong winning a Midway BM 72 over 2000m, and big weight has been off-set by a 2kg claim. If he gets away clean and settles near the speed, will take some stopping. Include the only two mares in the field, 7. Monfelicity third-up; and 8. Endorphins dropping sharply in weight for this rise in class; in trifectas and first fours.
How to play it: Whangaehu to win
Odds and Evens: Split
| Race 5 FILLIES & MARES BENCHMARK 72 HCP (1550m): |
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Provincial four-year-old 1. Ella Te Ama is a high class middle distance galloper on her day, and this is a drop in quality, although she has also accepted to run tomorrow. Powered home from well back to easily win the Provincial Summer Series Final before Xmas, then was fair to the line in tougher Group 3 company, before closing off well in Saturday BM 78 metro grade a fortnight ago. With a softer draw, and 2kg claim getting her right back in the weights debate, she only needs clear air from the 350m to run over this lot.
Dangers: Very little separates a few challengers, headed by 2. Showtime Lady who comes off a barrier too box BM 64 provincial win, and drawn to utilise that early tactical speed again. Include in all exotics, 3. Cap Estel (accepted tomorrow) improving third-up; 6. Summerbeel peaking second-up; and 7. Pink Baroque dropping in weight.
How to play it: Ella Te Ama to win
Odds and Evens: Split
| Race 6 BENCHMARK 72 HCP (1400m): |
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Keen on progressive home track three-year-old 5. Stroke Of Luck resuming for his second prep off two quieter trials. Took big strides last spring, surging home late in heavy ground to be placed at Listed level, and he'll be fitted to run this out fresh, settling back off the speed and coming down the middle.
Dangers: Resuming as a gelding, 8. Noble Conqueror is the immediate threat off a very quiet trial. Showed staying ability last prep in much deeper company, and at his debut run here a year ago, flashed home from midfield to win. Provincial three-year-old 2. True Crime dug in hard second-up when challenged late in similar metro company two weeks back, but tougher task here getting over from the outside barrier. Include hard fit 3. Yoshino (also accepted for tomorrow) and 10. Russley Crown improving second-up; in wider exotic bets.
How to play it: Stroke Of Luck to win
Odds and Evens: Split
| Race 7 BENCHMARK 72 HCP (1000m): |
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After two handy runs back, capable four-year-old 3. Narito is primed to win again on a slight distance and class drop. Leading jockeys sticks.
Dangers: From a soft draw, 2. Dutchy Of Savoy can run a big race first-up behind a forward trial; while 7. Latenighttoughguy third-up; and 9. Insurrection resuming as a gelding with the blinkers removed; are clear best of the rest.
How to play it: Narito to win
Odds and Evens: Split
BEST BETS:
R4 3. WHANGAEHU
R5 1. ELLA TE AMA
BEST VALUE:
R3 1. ASSOCIATE
