Race 1 (2000m) Bm65
The Mick Smith barn can spring an upset and did it again with HILLTOP HOOD $8.50 taking out a competitive betting contest. SUPER VIEW jumped the $4.50 favourite but was well beaten. The stewards inquired and basically it transpires that nothing worked out in the running as planned. The winner was slow to begin and settled last. He was widest on turning and relishing the deep track was able to finish over the top of them. ZARAFAH $5.50 turned inside the above and finished hard beaten a neck just ahead of MAHSINGER $4.60 who had a soft run and looked all over the winner at the 100m. The finish signalled the wider lanes would be at a premium as the meeting progressed. Most got their chance in a dead-set slog. The second-placed runner was found to have bled post-race.
Race 2 (1600m) CL1
The winner KING CHARLES started a $4.20 favourite just ahead of CASH REGISTER $4.60 who was the medium of good support. A few were slow to begin including King Charles and third-placed MAJESTIC LILLY $7. It was a busy contest for the early lead giving opportunity for those rearward at the business end of the race. Cash Register was widest of the leading bunch and scooted over to lead at the 800m. King Charles started to improve his position at the same time and turned the widest. The speed division were all struggling in the conditions as they headed home and nearer the outside rail King Charles was able to gobble them up and win by 1.3L from CRAZY LADIES $7.50 who elected to stay on the inside ground and finished determinedly. Majestic Lilly worked over to the outside ground and finished okay 2.3L from the winner. GAMBACORTA $9 was involved in the speed battle and finished a well-beaten fourth. The first two past the post had 4kg claims which assisted considerably in the heavy 10 conditions.
Race 3 (1200m) Bm70 – Federal
The betting said the promising KELVEDON ROAD $2.45F was tuned-up and he prevailed in a close go from the next two best bet EXOTIC DEEL $5.50 and EASY ROSIE $4.8. Kelvedon Road missed the jump and settled last. At the other end Easy Rosie made the lead. Exotic Deel deal sat one-out-one-back. The winner stayed on the rail and was on the back of the leader as they turned for home. He challenged Easy Rosie (with the pair both veering out) and Exotic Deel was powering home on their outside. Kelvedon Road just held an advantage on the line in a ding-dong go between the trio. Plenty of merit in all three runs with Kelvedon Road particularly tough on resumption. He can go on to better than this. HAUTEUR $6 raced with an awkward head carriage resenting the application of the nose roll.
Race 4 (1300m) CL1
DREAM GAME $2F was clearly the one to beat on paper and he got up for a comfortable win over SUPER RIFF $5.50 who was well supported. It was $9 the field the rest. A number were slow away which mattered less in the deep conditions. Again, it was keen early with MURKOWSKI $11 leading from VITAL VERSE 16 on here flank and four runners stacked up behind the pair as they passed the 800m. The winner sat back patiently one off the rail and as others swung wide, he zoomed up the inside and centred more as they progressed down the straight. There were numerous chances at the 150m, but Dream Game stuck on tenaciously to hold out Super Riff and Vital Verse on his outside. The former Queenslander Dream game has made it two-from-tow this campaign for the Matt Dale yard and will be winning more races on that effort. Super Riff showed much better form off the freshen and can also go on.
Race 5 (1000m) Mdn
A tricky race on paper with LA MIA VIA racing a $4.60F beaten 2.7L into third. The Gardner yard scratched the stablemate leaving it to REDHAIR'N'FRECKLES $6 to win the race with Penza engaged. They ran along and four were across the track and they turned for home. La Mia Via sat one out and was challenging nearer the outside fence as they set sail for home. Meanwhile the winner elected to stay on the inside of runners and sprinted fast in clear air. FOX VALLEY was the widest runner having sat midfield. He thundered home and proved the danger. La Mia Via stuck on well beaten 3L and well clear of the rest. FLAREINE $4.80 raced three-wide throughout, and PROPHET TIME $26 was also wide in running and ran out over the concluding stages and was not able to be tested. Some queries around the strength of this race from a future form perspective.
Race 6 (1200) Bm50
WILLYBEAFACTOR $2.45 was a well-bet favourite but was a well-beaten sixth. A long shot found a comfortable lead with second-placed TIZ WAR BRO $13 on his flank. Third-paced NEWTOWN BRAVEHEART was midfield three-wide. The favourite sat back and was hard ridden before the turn and was a clear last and widest as they straightened. The winner TITAN STAR sat in clear space behind the speed and the apprentice had him perfectly placed in the fast lane as they headed for home. The first three all came wide and there was less than 1L between them on the line. WHITE LIAR $15 made fourth and it was a good effort on inferior ground. THE BURNING $6.50 hung in the straight and had some difficulty wasn't fully tested. The favourite had too much to do and fished it off okay. Not much between these.
Race 7 (1000m) Bm60
DEHERO $2.40F was the only one they wanted and was beaten more than 8L. Jockey Penza reported that while the filly had won well here previously on a Heavy 8, his mount had not handled the Heavy 10. The Petrovic barn can turn an upset and ANNUAL $26 returned a comfortable win. She's disappointed the previous preparation and was coming off a 10-week let-up. She led and against the pattern of the day stuck to the inside section of the track. With most looking for outside ground she held a clear lead as they straightened and was still well clear at the 100m. Down the outside CHIRANJEEV $11 got closest with a 4kg claim, with I IZ BRIALLIANT $17 almost 4L from the winner in third. It was a messy race behind the leader with numerous slow off and forced to race wide. Fifth placed YESTERDAY'S GONE $9.50 was slow off and on straightening was disappointed for a run. A clear tactical victory for rider and connections of Annual.
Race 8 (1300m) Mdn SW
Two fancied runners from the Neasham barn came out leaving three starters to vie for favouritism. They all finished top four with KAMEA $4.40 getting up by a nose from BURGUNDY NOBEL $4.0F with a gap then to CRINKLE CUTZ $7 and a space to SHE'S JESSIE $4.60. Kamea jumped to the front from the low gate and She's Jessie crossed to sit on the mare. Kamea straightened near the centre of the track and has a clear lead at the 100m with Burgundy Girl thundering home for Penza against the outside rail. The post came just in time. Crinkle Cutz was in inferior ground and his was a decent effort holding third. The first three home can build on their efforts in this.
