Race 1 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2100m):
We start the card over the staying journey, and this shapes well on the map for improving Snitzel three-year-old 2. Snizzi up sharply in trip third-up. Found the line well resuming here before failing to run home over a mile in a country CL1. Blinkers come off for the first time, and he can enjoy a softer run back on a suitably bigger track.
Dangers: Expect 9. Jolted to be right in the finish from the inside draw over further with winkers being added, and coming back a little in grade. Another one stepping out to this distance for the first time is 7. Marigold's Dream who also draws to find a handy spot in the run, and drops back significantly from Group 3 company. At bigger odds, include 5. Solarosa third-up in exotic plays.
How to play it: Snizzi to win and quinella 2 and 9
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 2 BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1150m):
Good competitive sprint which typifies the class, and there are plenty of chances. Talented four-year-old 1. Tidal Rush can resume with a bang over this trip, despite drawing wide. Progressed nicely in spring winning twice in similar company before tackling much deeper metro fields, and has always been up to the mark early in his preps. Big weight off-set by a 3kg booking, and blinkers back on can flick the switch fresh. Was first reserve for Monday's Country C'ships Wild Card Qualifier at Scone.
Dangers: Another four-year-old from a big Scone team, 6. Hiraishin rises in grade deep into the prep, but is drawn to roll forward, and blinkers come off. Resuming from a middle gate, 7. Titration was very competitive in Highway grade last prep, and boasts a handy fresh record; while 8. Warrah Flash drew wide second-up after powering home in weaker grade; and 12. Rebel's Edge third-up with winkers added; can both figure in the minor money.
How to play it: Tidal Rush each way
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 3 MAIDEN HCP (1350m):
Lightly raced improving three-year-old 4. Wolf Bay can break through second-up off a long break. Did it tough from the draw resuming in a maiden with some depth, but still made up plenty of ground, and parking closer this time over 250m further, he maps to finish best.
Dangers: The market will tell a story with Pride Of Dubai filly 6. Proud With Pride who hasn't been seen officially since a quiet trial last spring, but debuts in blinkers for a leading country stable. Honest mare 11. Promised continues to find the line as the distances have risen, and she gets a key gear change; while 2. Riccos resuming off a long break; 5. Press The Pedal third-up; and All Too Hard filly 7. Sunyani on debut behind a quiet trial; are all worthy in trifecta and first four bets.
How to play it: Wolf Bay to win
Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 4 COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES MAIDEN HCP (1200m):
Tricky boys only maiden, with a couple of three-year-old metro visitors likely to battle for favoritism. The one deep into a prep and with a big edge in race fitness, 3. Romeo's Choice can finally break through. Has tracked the speed and stuck on well in his last two against more highly rated opposition, and the leading country jockey sticks.
Dangers: Carravaggio-sired 6. Cycle Peak opens his career for the Waterhouse-Bott stable behind two recent trials, and the breed normally shows something early. Keep safe 4. Sir Tom who is also hard fit, and drawn to get cover just off the speed; while both home tracker 7. United Front by American Pharoah on debut as a gelding; and 9. Beetson second-up; have each-way claims.
How to play it: Romeo's Choice to win
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 5 FILLIES & MARES MAIDEN HCP (1200m):
The girls' edition is not much easier, although well-touted Snitzel filly 6. Jovita maps to make a winning statement on debut. Improved nicely to win the second of two lead-up trials when running down the speedy On The Beach impressively, and stable has a smart record with the new ones.
Dangers: Big watch on 2. Doubtless Lady who returns behind two progressive trials, and draws to get a soft run. Another one first-up a year since debuting is well bred 4. Heiress Hera who has been close-up in two trials; while 1. Bespangled drawn out fifth-up and 8. Rolene fourth-up; both go in exotic plays.
How to play it: Jovita to win
Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1300m):
Plenty of chances here headed by honest provincial mare 12. L'esperance Rock who was stiff not to win fourth-up when the rider just got going too late. Has been right in the money last three whether ridden just off the speed or from further back, and again she draws to get an ideal trail, with cover. Stronger and far superior jockey takes over, and she can set about improving that injust winning strike rate at her 19th start.
Dangers: Plenty of them headed by 3. Justfour who powered home from midfield for a first-up win in a country BM 58, but drawn wide in a field with more depth, she shapes under the odds. Keep safe topweight 1. Constructionmaster first-up off a forward metro trial; while 5. Taking The Mikki fifth-up; 7. Barcoo River who beat a handy maiden field two starts back; and 8. Shen Gui from a low draw; can all add value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: L'esperance Rock to win
Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 CLASS 1 HCP (1200m):
Very keen to ride home in the last with lightly raced colt 3. Remlaps Commander resuming for just his third start. Showed plenty in two provincial runs last spring, winning the second at this course after parking right behind the speed. Been given two progressive trials up to 1000m, and suspect he'll return stronger this time, and capable of getting over further.
Dangers: Improving 1. Grand Crusader has to overcome a wide barrier and big weight, but his second-up win from the front on the course proper here was tough. Gap to the rest headed by 6. Calmer Karma who drew wide, but fought on well enough first up in a country BM 58.
How to play it: Remlaps Commander to win
Odds and Evens: Odds
BEST BETS:
R3 4. WOLF BAY
R5 6. JOVITA
BEST VALUE:
R7 3. REMLAPS COMMANDER
