Race 1 1000m Mdn
JOURNO (1) has his third start and is suited by the switch from provincial to country grade. He hasn't been far away and didn't have the best of it at Kembla Grange last time. Races handy and a top hoop is booked for the Sydney-trained galloper. LADY DE GUISE (3) peaks and is knocking on the door. Went close when heavily backed at Queanbeyan her latest and has been freshened. Led and was only beaten 1.7L at Gosford first up and that effort stacks up. The likely leader and is sure to give a sight. TANGO QUEEN (8) debuts for a top Sydney barn and has trialled well. Has the rails gate and 22% stable striker Alysha Collett is booked. Elevate her if the big money comes. SUTTON VELLA (7) is an improver in a canny local barn that must be kept onside.
Race 2 1000m Bm 50
PROPHET TIME (5) delivered a heavily bet Wagga Maiden from the front and then went back and found one better in a 58. She will run along and will be fitter again. The 2kg claim brings her right into it. BELLA ACE (2) is third up and ready to show her best. Led winning a Moruya Maiden before the spell and the 4kg claim takes care of the weight rise in lower grade. Go well. SUPER RIFF (6) needed the here in a 60 first-up. He's been freshened and his best would have him right in it. Maps for a soft run and Nisbet stays aboard. TEQUILA NIGHTS (3) resumes and has switched from a sharp Queensland yard. He's also good enough and has a soft gate. May need a run but must be kept safe.
Race 3 1600m CL1 SW
Tough. HASIME (11) made quick improvement at Newcastle second-up beaten 2.8L over this distance. The filly will be fitter again and won't have to improve much to go close. FERGHANA (10) was bet into a short quote at Moruya and led and won the Maiden over 1650m. Collett stays aboard and will likely push forward from the wide barrier. That needs good management, but he appears capable of taking the next step. TAYTAY BAY (7) won his Maiden here over a sprint as expected and gives every impression the longer journey will suit. No surprise to see him in the finish. FINAL RESET (1) resumes for a strong Sydney barn with Beasley a key jockey engagement. Was spelled off a Kembla Grange Maiden win over a middle distance. Has trialled well at Hawkesbury and kicking off at the mile shouldn't bother. Races forward and keep very safe.
Race 4 1300m Mdn SW
UP TO ME (3) improved again beaten a nose here (soft track) and then raced at a short quote at Nowra and raced flat on the deep surface. Draws inside and Cahill is a key jockey booking. A bounce is on the cards. PHORONEUS (12) will be fancied off the solid effort in the G3 Black Opal. He had no luck in the Opal Preview on debut and maps for a soft run. This isn't hard and he looks better than average. MAJOR DESIRE (10) resumed much better beaten 2L at Goulburn. She's sure to improve off that at Penza sticking is a decent push for her chances. In good hands and no surprise to see her feature at a price. CLEVER COOKIE (8) has her third start and has been freshened. The debut effort was good and Collett is a positive jockey booking. A chance with average luck in the run. ROCAS GRANDES (5) spiked his figures beaten 1L at Goulburn and will be better for that. Races forward and is in the mix.
Race 5 1600m BM 65
DECIMUS (1) won here first-up and has performed solidly in stronger provincial races since. Peaks now and maps for a soft run. Has a handy 4kg claim and will prove hard to beat. CARING LASS (2) has been freshened and has had a tick-over trial. She's also been racing in better races and back to the mile is likely to suit. Beasley rides the first time and that's a positive. FLYING FLOSSY (12) was narrowly beaten here first-up and then was an easy 58 winner on the Nowra heavy supported into a short price. Enjoys the sting out of the ground and the mile will be no bother. PACKER (6) has been racing well in the country. Gets weight relief and Penza for the apprentice. He has claims as well.
BEST BET: Race 6 1000m Open- Federal
BLUE GROTTO (2) easily delivered the hat-trick at Moruya before the spell and then resumed there with a lip defeat in a 66. He's a promising speedster who has a stack of weight relief at this level. Draws to advantage and Beasley goes on. Strips fitter and is the one they must beat. EXTRAVAGENT LAD (7) was back to his best finding a place in the CL3 at Wagga. He also has plenty of weight relief in this grade and Cahill can secure a soft on-pace run. LIGHT PRESS (9) resumed at Randwick and needed it. Has plenty up the sleeve and sharp improvement is anticipated. KATTEGAT (1) led and just missed 45 days ago in Open grade at Moruya. Got even closer at his start prior and can make the finish if presented on song. ANNUAL (6) missed a whisker here this grade and followed with a 3.6L defeat here in the Camarena on Black Opal Day. Goes in at a price.
Race 7 1300m CL 1
SCALEXTRICS (5) resumed in good order when beaten narrowly in a 68 at Wyong. Raced at Newcastle after and was a little plainer although not beaten far. He can fire off those and has plenty in the tank. Beasley's booking is a decent push for his chances. MAJOR ORE (1) impressed winning a Newcastle Maiden on debut picking-up in great style. Penza goes aboard and he won't have to be much improved to feature. NETTLES (8) can build on the heavily-bet Maiden win at Scone. Keeps Collett and the sharp Sydney barn enjoys plenty of success targeting this venue. YOUNG REBEL (3) returned to racing improved but wasn't fancied here second-up and races accordingly. John Thompson is likely to have him in better order today and his best would give him a chance.
