Race 1 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (2000m):
We start over the staying trip on a surface that's received plenty of lead-up rain. Despite a sharp rise in distance second-up, lightly raced metro three-year-old 4. Jonny Be Swift emerges as the superior wet tracker, by dual Cox Plate winner So You Think and out of a Street Boss mare. Stalked the speed before surging home in heavy ground to bolt in first-up, and this isn't much tougher, especially with the top country jockey taking over.
Dangers: Consistent mare 7. Love Rules is a serious threat rolling forward from a handy draw, and also won easily in CL1 company over this distance when freshened up. Gap to the rest headed by 2. Irish Knight who was strong through the line in winning last start after sitting in the breeze, although up 2kg here from a trickier draw. Keep safe 5. Curracabundi who has been given 25 days between runs since hitting the line late in a deeper provincial race.
How to play it: Jonny Be Swift to win
Race 2 MAIDEN HCP (1000m):
From an ideal draw third-up, again with Aaron Bullock in the saddle, four-year-old 1. Canny Prospect is the clear one to beat. Has twice attacked the line late into a place against deeper opposition this prep, and is right at home on rain-affected ground.
Dangers: Emerging mare 6. Royal Radiance returns off a long break for only her third start, and was impressive bolting in a recent Tamworth trial. Big market watch on locally-trained Supido three-year-old 3. Speedy Pete who won the second of two recent trials, and debuts from the inside draw. Big gap to the rest.
How to play it: Canny Prospect to win and quinella 1 and 6
Race 3 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1000m):
The restricted sprinters lock horns here, and testing the patience one more time, honest four-year-old 1. October Revolution can finally snap a run of near misses, and claim a fourth career win fourth-up. Was unlucky to miss by a long neck in a similar race two starts ago before being ridden much quieter and powered home late in a BM 66 at Kempsey. Will find this easier, and no doubt park closer from a much softer draw, and has a sound record in rain-affected going.
Dangers: Over the odds is resuming 2. Welloutofreach who won two straight up to CL2 level before spelling. Consistent mare 6. Low Profile is ready for this tougher test after two wins from her last four in weaker company, and gets a big weight drop after the 3kg claim. Improving 3. Cavante also looks over the mark second-up from a low draw; while including last start maiden winner 5. Golden Cow in exotic plays.
How to play it: October Revolution to win
Race 4 MAIDEN HCP (1250m):
Not much between a few of these maidens, headed by four-year-old 1. Shigeru who can strike first-up from a handy on-speed draw, and is reliable on wet tracks. Was more than competitive in better provincial races last prep, and fitted to run this out fresh with two trials up to 1000m.
Dangers: Watch the betting on debutant gelding 2. Awesome Tycoon by Written Tycoon who starts his career in winkers for the Jason Deamer stable behind two progressive trials. Wyong-based 4. Sidenay is primed to break through fourth-up after hitting the line from midfield in heavy ground a fortnight back. Both 7. Capitamy fifth-up; and at bigger odds 9. Joy The Quilter improving into her second start; can run into the minor money.
How to play it: Shigeru to win
Race 5 CLASS 1 HCP (1250m):
Progressive four-year-old 1. Gardenzio comes back in class second-up, importantly over more ground. Was swamped after doing work to lead in a much deeper provincial race when resuming, yet thrashed a handy maiden field at this same stage of his last prep.
Dangers: Rival and consistent Wyong filly 6. Go Isla Go is the obvious and clear threat from the inside barrier. Twice led for a long way in provincial maidens before boxing on strong from the front to claim a Super Maiden at Coonamble. Gap to the rest headed by 4. Calamity Fox who draws to be in the finish deep into the prep; while 2. Lensman resuming off a near year-long break; goes in wider exotic bets.
How to play it: Gardenzio to win
Race 6 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1600m):
In a race lacking depth, provincial mare 3. Oakfield Mamselle can add to an emerging record third-up. Tracked the speed before going home best to win her maiden here fresh, then ran home hard to miss by a long neck in similar company as a short-priced favourite. This looks a shade weaker, and she's ready for the longer trip.
Dangers: Drawn right alongside, honest metro mare 4. Flying Step can run the quinella; while 1. Uncaged who is hard fit; 7. Starboard Light freshened up via a trial; and 8. Lucky Creed who drew the fence; can all pump value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Oakfield Mamselle to win
Race 7 HARRINGTON CUP BENCHMARK 66 HCP (1300m):
We close the meeting with the feature, and love the value about capable mare 4. Agirlsbestfriend second-up. Worked home late in a BM 66 with more depth and run in record time at Scone, and fitter now, she stays at the trip and benchmark. Very comfortable in rain-affected ground being by Star Turn out of a Sebring mare.
Dangers: Emerging three-year-old 9. Zedari has put two wins together up to CL2 level, both times finishing best from just off the speed. Keep very safe 3. Jacenza third-up over 300m further after running home late in a CL3 Highway. Include 5. Cabsav fifth-up and down in weight after the claim; and 8. Foolish also with significant weight relief fifth-up; in trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Agirlsbestfriend to win
BEST BETS:
R3 1. OCTOBER REVOLUTION
R5 1. GARDENZIO
BEST VALUE:
R7 4. AGIRLSBESTFRIEND
