Race 1 MAIDEN PLATE (1300m):

We start the Cup day meeting with a very open maiden at set weights on a surface that should get back to a Good 4. Like progressive and lightly raced home track colt 5. Mazita at just his second start. Settled at the rear on debut before charging home to finish only a neck from the winner. This shapes as a lovely follow-up race, and the Merchant Navy stock are going great guns at the moment.

Dangers: Hard to get a read on local filly 9. Himorher drawn off the track. Justb got way too far back second-up when heavily backed into a hot favorite, but the run was better than it looked. Watch the betting too aboard lightly raced Canberra filly 13. Two Aye who draws to get plenty of cover at her second start, and has enough natural ability. Included in trifecta and first four plays, 2. Great Southerland second-up; 7. The Hanger Cat who has hit the line well in her last two; and 8. Time For Truce who edged the top selection into second place at his last run.

How to play it: Mazita to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

Race 2 MAIDEN HCP (1000m):

Back to the five furlongs for a maiden with some quality, headed by progressive metro filly 1. Azayaka, who just like the top selection in the opener, is ready to pounce at her second start. Was only run down late at the provincials by a smart one, and a leading city jockey takes over here.

Dangers: Resuming Hellbent three-year-old 2. Orlabent is a big threat from the draw. Comes off two provincial trials, bolting in the second on the synthetic, and should land an ideal trail with cover. Be very surprised if one of those two doesn't win, but no doubt two-year-old Extreme Choice colt 10. Perigean is on the next line debuting behind a string of trials; while both 4. Afterlight third-up from a soft draw with key gear changes; and at big odds 11. Alegna from the inside barrier; can add plenty of value into exotic bets.

How to play it: Azayaka to win and trifecta 1,2/1,2,4,10,11/1,2,4,10,11
Odds and Evens: Split

Race 3 CLASS 1 HCP (1600m):

Very testing race over the mile, but settled on provincial filly 5. Mistress who is ready to win again fifth-up in her first full prep. Flew home from near last in BM 64 grade 17 days ago, and a return to dryer ground and a much bigger track are big pluses.

Dangers: Having his first run in Australia as a gelding nine months after a winning debut at Nottingham in the UK, stablemate five-year-old 2. Aldeenaary is the obvious query first time out for the John O'Shea stable. Comes off two very quiet trials up to 1200m, and no doubt will be fitted to run this journey out fresh with significant gear changes, although naturally the money will be a big pointer. Emerging Qld three-year-old 8. Tequila Nights swept home for an easy maiden win on debut over the border, but far more depth to conquer here despite a soft draw. Keep safe too 7. Victory Salute fourth-up behind a tough provincial maiden win; while honest home tracker 6. Turnaway is on the next line.

How to play it: Mistress to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Race 4 2YO CHALLENGE (1100m):

The youngsters let fly here, and it's naturally wide open with a stack of chances. Keen at the value on Rosehill-based filly 14. Snippety Star by Sooboog first-up off a seven week break, with blinkers going on. Showed both tactical speed and plenty of fight across her first prep in handy provincial company, and from a nice draw with a key jockey change, she can give an enormous sight.

Dangers: At his third start, Qlder 5. Smart Recognition crosses the border behind two honest efforts in metro class. Included in exotics provincial colt 1. Chevron second-up and down in weight with gear changes; 3. Love Shuck reloading off a nine week break, with winkers added; and 6. Bomarea 26 days after a barrier-to-box win on debut at Port.

How to play it: Snippety Star each way
Odds and Evens: Split

Race 5 CLASS 1 HCP (1100m):

It doesn't get much easier here in a big field of improving sprinters, although on the score of sheer potential, promising metro filly 13. Written In Code rates clear on top. Swept home for a dominant debut win at Newcastle two weeks back, and again settling back on a big spacious track carrying 1kg less, she is the one to beat with any clear run from the 400m.

Dangers: Godolphin three-year-old 1. Contemporary is far better placed here back on firmer ground third-up after two outings this prep at BM 72 metro level; while progressive stablemate 5. Selous is also well suited third-up despite a wide draw after hitting the line in deeper provincial races. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Written In Code to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Race 6 COUNTRY CUP - BENCHMARK 84 HCP (1400m):

Not much between a few of these who have been around plenty of times in another open affair. From a handy on-speed draw, and only a half kilo over the minimum weight, home track four-year-old 11. Russley Crown can pounce off a seven week freshen-up. Reacts on drier ground, and this is his pet trip on a course he's never finished further back than second in four outings.

Dangers: Big watch on 6. Pepper's Ghost back at home third-up for a strong stable combination after campaigning okay in stronger company. Watch for 12. Amicus Curiae getting home late on a significant weight drop, and also suited by a track drying out. Both a shock BM 64 provincial winner last start 4. Ruban Bleu who draws to do no work back on the inside; and ultra tough 7. How's It Kev dropping in weight sharply for this tougher test; go in trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Russley Crown to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Race 7 SCONE CUP (1600m):

How for the feature over a mile, with "Big Dance" eligibility on the line. Confident smart home track six-year-old 2. Banju can continue his great run over a drawn out prep in what is a weak edition. Finished best off a nine week break to win the Tamworth Cup which was arguably stronger than this, with the top country jockey sticking. Unbeaten from two starts at this journey, both times at metro BM 78 level, and as long as he can find some cover from the draw, boasts a superior closing 400m burst.

Dangers: Watch the betting on 9. Wild Planet who draws inside, and has been freshened back from metro Group 3 level. Tough as teak 6. Jojo Was A Man has built an impressive 30 percent winning strike rate from 23 starts, but still under the odds here drawn out very wide. At big odds, keep safe both 4. Luncies resuming off two progressive trials; and 7. Aleas who has also trialled twice, comes to hand quickly, and was twice placed in Listed company last prep.

How to play it: Banju to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Race 8 CLASS 2 HCP (1300m):

Very keen on talented and progressive metro three-year-old 4. Union Army who can strike again after powering home to claim a provincial BM 64 a fortnight back. Again settles back off the speed and produces a telling and sustained finish. Capable of winning much better races than this.

Dangers: Expecting sharp second-up improvement from 2. Stylised five weeks between runs, and back on firmer footing in thinner company. Honest three-year-old 7. Nosey Parker shoots for a third straight win, but this is deeper; while 1. Shipshape also chasing a third straight win but up in weight; and Qld visitor 11. Larrikin Rogue second-up; can both run into the minor money.

How to play it: Union Army to win
Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS:
R1 5. MAZITA
R5 13. WRITTEN IN CODE

BEST VALUE:
R4 14. SNIPPETY STAR