Neil Evans
Track Good 4 and rail True.
RACE 1
2. Aurora Effect is a progressive filly who was good on Kensington track against better opposition just 10 days ago when reloading off a seven-week break. Blinkers go on, drawn to find a handy enough trail, and in a race of less depth, sheโs the clear one to beat. 10. Powerful Annie also finds a thinner maiden at her fourth start, while stablemate 1. Siccius is a third start improver after missing by a long neck in an average country maiden. Include 7. Burning Ambition back a shade in trip deep into his campaign, and at bigger odds 12. Zippy Lion fourth-up with gear changes, in trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: Aurora Effect to win
RACE 2
4. Gamp is a genuine and improving mare in the Hawkes stable at Rosehill who is ready to break through third-up off a lengthy spell. Has been placed in two runs at Gosford from on speed, the latest an ultra tough effort after being taken on up front a long way from home. Has only been out of the money twice from nine starts, and hard fit, she can finally open her account. 7. Nicolosi is a well-touted filly by Ole Kirk on debut for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable. Starts behind two recent trials, the latest pushed out to beat a good one over 1045m. Naturally in smart hands, and drawn to get a good run. Gap to the rest headed by 3. Ask Di, who is a big market watch resuming for only her second start behind a handy trial. 6. Merini, an ex-Kiwi filly resuming for just her third start for the new Kris Lees stable off two nice trials, and 10. Weekend Market back a shade in depth second-up, head the rest.
How to play it: Gamp to win
RACE 3
9. Gong Girl did a good job at this track when first-up for nearly five months, finding the line well behind a smart and heavily backed winner after covering ground early. Dropping down to the limit weight and naturally fitter, she will relish the extra trip being sired by Rosehill Guineas winner Dโargento. A mile over the odds. 1. Farset is another one from the relentless sire line of Golden Slipper winner Farnan. Has beaten all but the winner in three of his four runs over a 16-month period, and was only beaten a long neck at Newcastle two weeks ago when first-up for 10 months. A natural improver and drawn low with blinkers being added, he is a huge threat especially having by-passed the opener at Warwick Farm on Wednesday to be saved for this. 7. Obsidian Dream can peak third-up in her first full prep over more ground, while 2. Negate is a betting watch on debut from the inside draw for the Chris Waller yard behind two improving trials.
How to play it: Gong Girl to win
RACE 4
2. Maquisa is a versatile mare, and was stiff not to win a tougher metro race when resuming off a four-week break. Was held up at a vital stage in the straight and forced to change course, yet still only finished a half-length away. Holds that form into her next run over suitably more ground, drawn to get a similar path in transit, and also missed Warwick Farm to be saved for this. 3. Call Me Sassy is a progressive mare and likely to jump favourite. Has hit the line to beat all but the winner in two provincial runs at Class 1 level this campaign, and the extra trip is an obvious plus. 1. Waku Waku has plenty of ability, and can run a big race fresh with an important gear change, and having won the second of two trials in smart fashion. 4. Rach is better suited back at the provincials, with a key gear change. 6. Shoutaboutit trained on the course and having only missed the money once in her last five, is clear best of the rest.
How to play it: Maquisa to win
RACE 5
1. Skycatcher is a smart and lightly raced four-year-old, resuming for only his third run in Australia. Won fresh in Victoria last spring before close-up at BM 66 level, then spelling. Fitted with two progressive open class trials winning the latest impressively from just off the speed, and despite the weight, he will be very hard to hold out from a soft draw. Another one scratched from Warwick Farm to run here. 2. Botanist is also lightly raced, and first-up off two trials. 8. Toomuchinformation is very fit, and shoots for a third straight win, although this is a much deeper affair. 4. Written Gold has been off the scene for more than a year, but returns to the course where he dominated on debut from the front. Had three more disappointing runs that prep before being forced into the paddock. Trialled twice, but likely to need the run. 6. Fierceness is the best of the rest after easily putting away an average country maiden field second-up.
How to play it: Skycatcher to win
RACE 6
10. Altercation is a capable and underrated mare who can strike fresh here at big odds behind two trials. Was narrowly beaten in two runs to start last prep, charging late from midfield in a country CL3 and then a provincial BM 64. Right up to this lot sneaking down in the weights with a gear change, and with any sort of cover from wide draw in a very open race. 8. Like A Surgeon hasnโt raced since flooding home to win on debut at Newcastle at big odds on the final day of last spring. Has plenty of ability, drawn to get cover, and readied for this with a trial win here two weeks ago. 12. Triple Yes has plenty of tactical speed, and slips back in grade third-up. 4. Welcome Gypsy is also an improver coming back from a deeper metro race fourth-up. 7. Sunday Tycoon is an honest type and market watch, resuming off a handy trial win where he ran his last 600m in slick time. 3. Spartus deep into his prep, and 9. Cool Blaze resuming off a trial win, are both capable of filling the minor money.
How to play it: Altercation to win
RACE 7
3. Grandini is a very fit and tough mare who continues to race well. Circled from well back and against the pattern to score a fighting win here against similar opposition two starts ago before another gallant closing run over the same trip on Tamworth Cup day. Drawn to get cover back in the field, and with any clear momentum from the 500m she can steam over them. 6. Sarapao is a talented city three-year-old due for a change of fortune after running into third place in his last four, the latest should have gone close when given no favours near the rear in an awful watch for punters. 1. Unavoidable steps up off a dominant second-up win in a weak CL1 at Canberra. 10. Ring Ahoy is the best of the rest coming through that same latest country race as the top selection, ahead of 2. Scottish Pearl who drops in grade second-up.
How to play it: Grandini to win
BEST BETS: R4 2. MAQUISA
R7 3. GRANDINI
BEST VALUE: R2 4. GAMP
