Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track
Race 1
1. Blessed Eagle looked sharp in winning his latest trial at Randwick, in a 1045m heat, and should be able to offset the barrier quickly and land on the speed. Should give a good account. 7. Profitabelle hit the line well on debut in January then didnโt back it up in the Inglis Millennium. Plenty to like about her recent trial win and she looks the logical danger. 6. Artemex has been gelded going into this preparation. His two runs back in the autumn were okay and itโll be interesting to see if the gear change sparks him up.
How to play it: Blessed Eagle to win.
Race 2
Thereโs quite a few raps on 14. Satin Serenade and we get to see if she lives up to them this spring. Just missed on debut in June, freshened up and her latest trial win was impressive. Sheโs been well found in the market and is the one to beat. 8. Stateroom didnโt do a lot wrong at his only start a few weeks ago at Canterbury. Had a nice run and held his ground into third, looking like heโd improve out of the run. 1. Defensemen has put a couple of good runs together this time in and is five weeks between runs since a close second to Proxima Dea at Randwick on a heavy track.
How to play it: Satin Serenade to win.
Race 3
1. Columbus gets another chance after being a shade disappointing as an odds-on favourite at Rosehill. Perhaps he landed too close and wasnโt able to sprint with them. Looked impressive chasing them down before that, blinkers on and the mile should suit. 4. Deep Pleasure is bursting to win and just keeps bumping into one better. Hit the front three weeks ago at Kensington and was run down by Concordia Wind. Sheโll be in this a long way. 6. Namaste tried hard behind Glissando in a much improved third-up run and while heโs finding it hard to win, he gets down in the weights.
How to play it: Columbus to win.
Race 4
4. Scenic Point is an interesting runner having her first start for Joe Pride. Sheโs a stakes winner and has been sparingly raced in the last 12 months. Based on her recent trial win she looks like she wants to be there. Worth keeping safe. 12. Striking Alibi was scratched from the Rosebud and lands here against older horses. Won on debut at Ascot before weakening after leading the Karrakatta Plate. Her latest trial was eye-catching. 13. Uncertain Glory debuted with a handy win at this track in May then raced closer to the speed when placed at Randwick a couple of weeks late. Drawn out but expect sheโll be strong late.
How to play it: Scenic Point to win.
Race 5
3. Mr Miller showed a heap of potential in his first preparation with a debut win at this track before seconds against some handy types. Couldnโt have missed him in his latest trial and from the good gate heโs going to be hard to beat fresh at a suitable trip. 6. Phantom Major was a beneficiary of some pressure up front when he swooped down the outside to win at Canterbury two weeks ago. Extra trip looks to suit. Has to back up that impressive win. 9. Itโs A Wonder will like the sting out of the track and her first-up run in a similar race a month ago was at least a pass mark on a good track. Each-way hope.
How to play it: Mr Miller to win.
Race 6
5. Rantan doesnโt always have things go his way but this is the sort of race that should afford him every chance with good pressure engaged. Just failed last time at Kensington when running on strongly and can be hard to hold out. 8. Manukau looks likely to sit back and make a run down the middle first-up. She was consistent last time in with a couple of wins. 4. Valilee has looked sharp in his two trial wins leading into what is his toughest assignment. Hard to fault him with three wins from four starts and drawn to be prominent.
How to play it: Rantan each-way.
Race 7
12. Heroic Deed is jumping quickly in class but was super impressive in his first-up win at Newcastle where he sat outside the speed three wide and raced away. This is harder but not by that much and no surprise if he repeats. 7. The Little General will put himself on speed from the wide gate. Just edged out two weeks ago at Canterbury and an extra 100m doesnโt pose any issues. 15. Kwirky Smile was beaten almost six lengths at Rosehill last time but she did get a long way back on a day it was hard to concede such a big start. Form out of the race is solid and sheโs well worth including.
How to play it: Heroic Deed to win.
Best Bets: Race 5 (3) Mr Miller; Race 7 (12) Heroic Deed
Best Value: Race 6 (5) Rantan
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