Neil Evans
Track soft 5 and rail out 2m
RACE 1
2. Leon Ruben is an improving four-year-old that has run home into a place in his last couple at Kembla, the latest coming from well back in a handy Saturday maiden. In a tactical affair, well over the odds from a soft trailing draw, and will appreciate the extra furlong. 10. Stitzer is a lightly raced and good quality colt reloading 25 days after a horrible flop first-up at Kembla when dropping out a long last. Be prepared to forgive, though, with blinkers added. Was competitive in group company on debut as a two-year-old in autumn, and stretched out late coming from the back in a recent trial. Market will be a telling indicator. 1. Gentle Giant is an emerging improver having led for a long way on debut at the provincials over a mile. 9. Royal Princess is a tough country mare that has led for a long way in her last couple. Suited coming back in trip on a tighter track. 4. Rouladen has beaten all but the winner in four of his last five outings across thinner races and heads the rest.
How to play it: Leon Ruben each way.
RACE 2
2. Unhinged is a lightly raced colt mapping to strike second-up, and one of four accepted runners for the leading Chris Waller stable. Given little room inside runners when resuming in a small field, but better placed this time over a longer trip and on firmer ground. 1. Caviar is a third-up improver in his first full preparation, having led for a long way at Newcastle 18 days ago. 4. Wonka is an improving stablemate of the top selection. So too 6. True Tone. It made up plenty of ground from the back on debut and is bred to get further. 8. Bechers draws inside for her second start, and will enjoy a significant rise in trip and a drop in weight.
How to play it: Unhinged to win.
RACE 3
7. Low Key is a well-touted filly in the Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott stable returning for her second start. Stuck on okay behind two smart youngsters when debuting in group 3 company as a two-year-old in autumn. Fitted with two progressive trials, the latest impressive sweeping home from the back. The one to beat. 3. Threads is over the odds hitting peak fitness fourth-up from a handy draw. 5. Fiaba is by prolific I Am Invincible, and a big market watch on debut for the leading trainer-jockey combination behind two improving trials. 9. Rocks Or Diamonds, a filly by Fastnet Rock having her first start for the John Sargent yard off two progressive trials, can add plenty of value into exotic plays; while at longer odds 4. Darn You is improving into her second start heads the rest.
How to play it: Low Key to win.
RACE 4
2. Mazis chased home a progressive galloper in similar company that has since won easily in stronger Saturday grade. That was his first run since winning three from four in a Queensland campaign last spring. Can settle closer in the run this time pushed out a further 400m in distance. 5. Columbus has been costly in his last two as a short-priced favourite after a dominant BM 64 win at Newcastle. Looking for more ground, but wouldn’t be diving into too short a price from a tricky draw. 3. Pierro Lad is also on the rise having won his last three up to this level. Drawn inside, but up sharply in weight. 10. Supreme Sovereign is working towards a second career win after four runs back, and drawn to get a soft run back in the pack.
How to play it: Mazis to win.
RACE 5
6. Pierata’s Gem is an honest mare that gets her chance to score an overdue fourth career win deep into this preparation. Has been in the money in two of her last three up to a higher level, and drawn to get a lovely trail right behind the speed. 2. Deep Pleasure is a consistent mare chasing back-to-back wins in similar company. Up in weight, but drawn to get a charmed run on speed, and will take some stopping. Watch the betting on 3. Koolibah, resuming for the Waller-McDonald combination behind two trials. 9. Aura is drawn to get a handy run resuming off a soft trial; while 5. Stallone can run a race at good odds dropping sharply in weight third-up if he starts here rather than Hawkesbury on Thursday.
How to play it: Pierata’s Gem to win.
RACE 6
4. Cafe Au Lait missed by a half-length finishing through inferior ground when resuming after being backed from $2.70 into $2.15. Took on deeper opposition in Victoria in autumn, and boasts a sharp second-up record. 7. Regal Problem was impressive rushing home to win first-up in weaker provincial company. Plenty more to give, but threatens to go around a shade under the odds up to this level. 6. Live is a progressive ex-Victorian mare having her first run for the Peter Snowden stable. Went to Listed level last preparation, and has been given two steady trials. Both 8. Varuni, stepping up from consecutive country wins, and 11. Sphere fourth-up, can figure in the money.
How to play it: Cafe Au Lait to win.
RACE 7
7. Komodo Dragon is a tough five-year-old that picked up when resuming after being forced to chase a runaway leader, and then hitting a flat spot on the turn. Suited here, drawn wider where he can be ridden quieter and taken to the outside in the straight. 5. Rivendell is progressive enough, and importantly blinkers replace winkers third-up. 3. Tough Guy is building a smart record, and comes to the city at the right time after a dominant and fast-finishing win in a feature sprint at Tamworth. 8. Better Late was dominant from the front second-up in a provincial BM 68. More depth here, but drawn to get a nice run on speed. 4. Unstopabull won a similar race at Canterbury two starts ago.
How to play it: Komodo Dragon to win.
BEST BETS: R4 2. Mazis, R7 7. Komodo Dragon
BEST VALUE: R5 6. Pierata’s Gem
Supplied by Racing NSW
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