A provincial track but one of the better race days away from the city this Saturday with The Gold Rush, Guineas, Crown and Cup all good betting races with plenty of angles.
Before that however, we have an 1100m Midway and while I'm usually happy to bypass them from betting perspectives, Shadows Of Love just looks incredibly well placed here and I think you could comfortably mark her shorter.
A lightly raced three-year-old filly, she won her first two impressively this campaign, showing a good ratings progression before losing the race on protest last time after shifting out late over 1300m.
The eventual winner there was the highly regarded Olentia and while 'franking the form' isn't something I care about too much, she did come out and win a Group 3 last week. Regardless, Shadows Of Love smashed third there and posted another new peak figure of 90 with Timeform.
I don't mind her back to what looks a strongly run 1100m, with Brenton Avdulla going on from an okay gate with 55.5kg. She should be able to camp just behind a hot pace and from there she should be going close.
The feature race I'll focus on is the Hawkesbury Gold Rush and the recently gelded Malkovich representing a bit of value. He's a speedy customer that can run big numbers when he's on his game.
He should get a dry surface (or close enough to it) to show his best here, and whilst he's finished behind a couple of key chances in this before, I think he can turn the tables.
Beaten by Athelric on their last meeting, Malkovich started $3.40 vs. $5, beaten 2 lengths and meeting him 5.5kg better this time around. Andermatt is the one to beat but can be very hit and miss. He beat home Malkovich at their last meeting but that was on heavy ground which favours Andermatt greatly, and there wasn't much between them.
As usual, he's won both trials leading in (he's now undefeated from 15 trials!) and gets Parr on fresh off a Quokka win. I marked him a touch shorter than the $6 available and if he finds the front he can give them the slip.
SYDNEY SPECIALS
Bet of the day: Race 3 #13 Shadows Of Love @ $2.80
Also backing: Race 6 #2 Malkovich @ $6
