Small field and conditions will come into play. 5. Bacio Del Mist showed heā€™s coming along well this time in with a second-up fourth at Randwick three weeks ago and will find softer ground a lot more to her liking. With the low numbers, she wonā€™t be giving away as much start as usual and this is a good chance for her to feature. 2. Unspoken is working up to a win and he found the line well from the back in the Summer Cup when third. Up in the weights here and while he probably doesnā€™t want it heavy heā€™s dangerous on anything better. 3. Imperialist boxed on well in testing ground three runs back at Randwick, he was sound in the Summer Cup though Unspoken came from behind him to beat him home. Expect heā€™ll run well. 4. Touristic has had a stop-start campaign with just two runs and heā€™ll appreciate a forgiving track after making his run with Unspoken last time but not being able to sustain it on a firm track. Could surprise.
How to play it: Bacio Del Mist to win.
Race 6: THANK YOU NOEL CUTHBERT HANDICAP (1500 METRES) 3:30PM
Happy to stay with 5. Alabama Fox after she did the job easily two weeks ago at Randwick, sitting on the speed and winning as she liked. Only goes up 2.5kg after the claim, seems to be OK on all ground and has plenty of time to find a spot with the long run to the turn. The one to beat again. 3. Changing Colours returns to Rosehill where sheā€™s won and run second in two attempts including a nice first-up effort. Just fair second-up but not disgraced beaten a couple of lengths and she could easily bounce back. 8. Aroha Stone was an easy first-up winner at the provincials then came to town in the same race as Changing Colours and was cut out of a run and eased right down which explains the large beaten margin. Overlook that, she loves the sting out and can be competitive. 6. Editing has been a little disappointing but her best run this time in came on a heavy track at Kembla Grange three starts ago, so a wet track would bring her right into this.
How to play it: Alabama Fox to win.
Race 7: RANVET HANDICAP (2400 METRES) 4:05PM
Itā€™s always a bit heart in the mouth when following 7. Bestower but sheā€™s racing in excellent form and loves the sting out of the track. Romped away two starts ago at this distance then arguably should have just about win at Randwick a month ago, not getting clear until it was all over. Sheā€™ll be back in the field a bit but if sheā€™s in touch on the turn sheā€™ll go close. 6. Bella Montagna was far too back in a strung out field last time at Randwick over the 2000m and did a good job to run fifth. The way sheā€™s running on youā€™d think the trip will suit her and sheā€™s in the mix here. 12. Ant could be a big improver, he was disappointing last time but his second-up run suggested heā€™s come back in good order and the rise in distance on his form last prep will suit him. 11. Placid Pearl won that race over the 2000m at Randwick and has won over 2200m so the distance wonā€™t be beyond her. Have a small question mark if we get seriously wet but otherwise sheā€™s a chance.
How to play it: Bestower to win.
Race 8: KIA ORA BLOODLINES TO HEADLINES HANDICAP (1300 METRES) 4:40PM
5. Band Of Brothers brings some handy form to Sydney with a close second behind Tuned two runs back and a sound showing to place off a wide gate at Eagle Farm two weeks ago. If barrier one is holding up thatā€™s a plus for him as is the 3kg claim and he should run well in a race thatā€™s opened up. 4. Rhythm Of Love has been treading water for a while after being a late scratching from his planned first-up run. Heā€™s been back to the trials and won nicely over 1200m, he handles all ground and tends to run well fresh so thereā€™s a good case to be made for him. 6. Just Party goes in the mix, heā€™s finding it hard to win and fair to say he had his chance at Randwick over the mile in a small field. Down in grade and in distance and with blinkers on canā€™t leave him right out just yet.
How to play it: Band Of Brothers to win.
Race 9: ASAHI SUPER DRY HANDICAP (1100 METRES) 5:20PM
7. Bevā€™s Nine has done nothing wrong with three wins from as many starts and on a variety of surfaces. Looks to have come back well with two trials wins leading in, can be prominent from a good draw and is the horse on the way up. Good chance to continue on his winning way. 3. Gatsbyā€™s could be very dangerous if theyā€™re running on from the back as his first run for Joe Pride was quite promising. He has performed well with the sting out previously and if he can improve off that fresh effort heā€™s some chance. 1. Eye Of The Fire won that race in what was a return to form for him. Only rises 1kg after the claim and is generally a consistent type when in form so can expect him to be thereabouts again. 9. Artā€™s Alive ran a close third when resuming last time in on a soft track over this course and is trialling well with a second behind Bevā€™s Nine in the latest of them. One to keep an eye on.
How to play it: Bevā€™s Nine to win.
Race 10: TAB HANDICAP (1500 METRES) 6PM
7. Cross Tasman is a promising horse and has been far too good in his two runs back this time in, overcoming the outside gate to power away from Off The Press at Randwick on Boxing Day. The extra 200m should hold no fears, heā€™s drawn nicely and a soft track would definitely be no issue especially now third-up. Hard to beat. 16. Hereward is another progressive type and heā€™s also on a hat-trick after wins at Canterbury and Randwick. Donā€™t think a wet track would worry him, heā€™ll go forward and can be hard to go past. 1. Pippie Beach can pose a big threat now third-up after two nice runs on good tracks and striking much more favourable conditions for her now. The wetter the better in fact. Keep her in mind. 9. Pure Alpha ran a fair race when resuming but has a much stronger second-up record and some handy credentials with some give in the ground. Heā€™s never won on a good track. Can show up.
How to play it: Cross Tasman to win.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
