Race 5 Geelong
Amphactor @ 2.90
Race 5 Newcastle
Edge Of Reward @ 4.40
Race 3 Ipswich
Cryptic Sound @ 3.80
Amphactor for Geelong glory
The fifth race on the Geelong card is an interesting Benchmark 64 handicap set to take place over 2218m.
The New Zealand-bred gelding Verifier is expected to prove popular with punters, having registered a number of solid efforts without winning this prep.
The four-year-old came home third when racing over 2040m in a Benchmark 70 handicap at Moonee Valley in February.
While the son of Tivaci failed to shine over the same track and trip subsequently, he returned to form with a good third in a 2000m event at Caulfield.
Nigel Blackiston's gelding raced on a wet track at Caulfield and, while the gelding has shown solid form on a sound surface, he would appreciate any overnight rain.
With the going in mind, victory can go the way of AMPHACTOR for the Mark & Levi Kavanagh team.
The selection has placed in the top three in three of his four starts this season, including when runner-up in an 1800m Benchmark 64 handicap at Caulfield Heath last month.
The son of American Pharoah could finish only sixth on the Lakeside track at Sandown subsequently but he returned to form with a good second over 2100m there on 10th April.
The four-year-old raced on a wet track when jumping from barrier six that day and, with an inside alley here, he looks up to saluting under Blake Shinn.
Reward to complete Newcastle double
The fifth race at Newcastle takes the eye with the 1500m Benchmark 68 handicap attracting a field of nine.
The Kris Lees-trained Sailor is expected to jump as favourite, having returned to form with a victory in a 1600m Benchmark 64 handicap here earlier this month.
The son of Ocean Park came home over half-a-length clear of his 14 rivals that day and has performed well at a higher level in the past.
Apprentice Benjamin Osmond, on board that day is set to partner the gelding for the fourth time in five starts this prep and the pair rate highly in this event.
EDGE OF REWARD gets the nod here however, having demonstrated improvement with racing this time around.
The selection returned to action with a fifth when beaten just under three lengths in a Benchmark 66 handicap at Muswellbrook in February.
The five-year-old raced on a heavy track that day and took a step forward upped to 1350m, when a close third in a Benchmark 64 handicap at Wyong the following month.
The Reward For Effort gelding broke through for this third career win when triumphing over 1400m here in a similar race to this earlier this month.
Kristen Buchanan's gelding came home over one-and-a-half-lengths clear when registering a comfortable win that day and looks ready for the extra 100m he gets here.
Sound for Ipswich success
The third race of the day at Ipswich is a 1609m maiden handicap with CRYPTIC SOUND the pick, having drawn an inside barrier for the first time this prep.
The selection has registered fourth place finishes at Doomben in both starts this time around, including when beaten four lengths over 1200m there first up.
The filly was never really involved having raced from off the pace on that occasion and she took a step forward next time.
The daughter of Encryption went on to fill the same spot when beaten just over two lengths in a 1350m maiden held on good ground there a week ago.
The pick was forced to race wide on that occasion and, tackling in excess of 1600m for just the second time in her career, she is taken to salute under Robbie Dolan.
