Race 1 1600m CL3
CARING LASS started the $2.6 favourite and belted them by 4.3L and more. The big disappointment was AMIGOS NO MORE $3.10 who was tailed off. The jockey told stewards he didn't handle the heavy track conditions. Vet clear. The winner was a little slow off but held the rail and settled midfield in the small field. TILLMAN $9 (2nd) raced outside him but over-raced in the middle stages. TYROL $11 (3rd) railed rearward. The bold striding Caring Lass got to the leader FERRARI MAN $6 at the 250m and never looked like being beaten. Tillman finished a length or so ahead of the well-beaten remainder. The winner was stepping up from the mile and has a future over this trip and longer.
Race 2 1000m Mdn
AUNTY GINNY was a heavily bet $1.65F on debut and was much too good winning by 2.8L. Had impressed in a recent trial and Cahill's booking added to the confidence. The Dryden-trained local MIGHTY MYRTLE $9 and BLUE BAYOU $7 filled the placings with little splitting them, just ahead of SOHO SUSHI $4.80. It was keen early with Soho Sushi (rail) holding out Aunty Ginny. Aunty Ginni was under a hold as they turned for home and was let go at the 200m and raced away. Mighty Murtle made up good ground and hit the line well. The debutant was slow off and had to be restrained off heels at the 800m. Stablemate Blue Bayou began awkwardly and raced ungenerously. She will now be spelled. Aunt Ginny is a nice filly in the making and will go on from this.
Race 3 1600m Cl1
The Sydney-trained Maiden AUTUNNO $6.50 just got up in a tight tussle with ZABELLSARERINGING $2.40F and BREAKAWAY WEEK $7. TELL THE FUTURE was next home beaten 2L. A number wanted the lead and on settling Zabellsareringing held the front with Autunno and Breakaway Week close-up. This trio were neck and neck approaching the 200m before the winner found a margin. Tell The Future was crowded on jumping and finished it off okay. Ditto GALAXY REIGN who didn't have the best ride.
Race 4 1300m Mdn
HAMMERING AWAY on debut was expected to feature but played up in the gates and was a late scratching. Seven went around and the Beer-trained ex Kiwi VEGAS DREAM $7 got the win in a close go with the $2.10 favourite SHISUTA BO. SCARLETT APLENTY was next home beaten 2.3L. Vegas Dream eventually found the front and got it easy. She was being pressured at the 250m but gave a good kick to hold off the favourite who kept coming. There were a few mentions in the steward's report, but most had their chance. Vegas Dream led unexpectedly stepping up from 900m to 1300m and the trainer said he was surprised the gelding raced more forward than expected.
Race 5 1000m Cl1
ARTIEBETT 5.50 won the 45 here by a space and proved it was no fluke when she delivered again in a tight finish from PRETTY VEGAS $3. HOLD $11 made third beaten 2L and the others were spaced. The flop was the $2.50 favourite DUBLIN, who was disappointed for a run at the 250m and lost all momentum. He ran in when picking up steam after. Pretty Vegas found the front and held a margin at the 200m before ARTIEBETT swooped. He settled a clear last and was the widest on turning. He ran in after the 200m and would have been unlucky not to have won. HOLD had his chance along the rail but lacked a knockout punch. The winner is still learning, and Pretty Vegas was tough.
Race 6 1200m Bm 55
PROMETIO MAS jumped a $2.60 favourite but just found YOUR NOT THE BOSS $7 too good – making it a double for the Beer yard. CAPTAIN CORELLI $7 was beaten 3.2L into third and TITAN STAR $3.70 was next home beaten 5L. Captain Corelli led with Prometio on his hammer. YOUR NOT THE BOSS raced midfield off the rail and was presented beautifully within sight of the leading pair as they headed for home. He came hard and got the measure of Prometio Mas in the shadows of the post. The latter gave everything. The winner was first-up and is a lightly raced galloper who can keep improving.
Race 7 1000m – TAB Federal
IRON WILL was a heavily backed $1.85 favourite and delivered by 1.3L from MAJOR TIME $8, With ONYA LIONAL $41 and SMUGGLERS BAY $13 a whisker away best. Stewards inquired into MASTER JOE's disappointing effort, and he was found to have two issues post-race that would likely have affected his performance. He will need a full veterinary clearance before he races again. Another keen battle early with Smugglers Bay finding the front and sped along. He was joined before turning by Iron Will with Major Time three-wide outside him. This trio settled down to fight it out with Iron will proving too strong for the brave Major Time. Onya Lional railed rearward most of the way and flew on the inside to grab third. The winner was well-placed and was too strong at the business end.
Race 8 1400m Bm 65
VAAROOM was backed into $3.20 favouritism and recorded a comfortable 1.6L win from ALMOST PERSUADED $8.50, with DORAMI 1.85L from the winner in third. They spaced the rest. The winner had been hard to catch but put the writing on the wall placing at the previous meeting here and made it 2/2 on heavy tracks. Almost Persuaded sat outside the longshot leader, with Vaaroom just behind racing off the rail and Dorami a bit keen inside him. The winner made a sharp forward move before the turn and was just in front on straightening. He looked like a sitting duck, but try as they might, the other pair couldn't bridge the gap. Vaaroom commenced to hang out at the 700m and in the straight. A further warning was placed on the gelding. A clear and deserved winner regardless.
