Neil Evans
Track Heavy 8 and rail out 3m
RACE 1
6. Krasina is a talented filly in the David Payne stable, with an edge in race fitness and primed to strike second-up. Loved the run here four weeks back when shuffled to last and covered ground before hitting the line hard after getting clear late. Drawn to track a similar path settling a bit closer, and sheโs bred to relish wet tracks. 5. Kinetic Kiss is one of many eye-catching first starters. By Ole Kirk from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott yard, and there was plenty to like about the second of two trials at Gosford, bouncing to the front and giving nothing else a chance. She had something in hand. Stablemate 1. Demerzel looks ready to run a race on debut at bigger odds. Also by Ole Kirk, and fitted with two solid trials. So too the Chris Waller-trained 2. Explosive Express by fashionable Japanese sire Staphanos that starts behind two progressive trials.
How to play it: Krasina to win.
RACE 2
8. Our Huntress let punters down first-up at Hawkesbury as a hot favourite when getting back into an ordinary spot before working home late. Gets a significant weight drop returning to metropolitan company, and extra furlong is a plus. Hasnโt missed a place in five starts, and sheโll be hard to hold out with any decent run on preferred rain-affected ground. 2. Claudel, a filly by So You Think from the Waller camp, is drawn to get a handy run on debut behind two progressive trials. 7. Miss Supernova is well-placed to break through third-up after running home late into a place at Hawkesbury. 6. Merini second-up is the clear best of the rest.
How to play it: Our Huntress to win.
RACE 3
13. Klocke is a colt by Zoustar and can make an instant impression on debut for the Waller stable at big odds. Progressed through two trials, powering home to win the latest at Rosehill with something in hand. Will likely go back from a wide draw, but he looks a smart one, and is bred to thrive in the conditions. 6. Samaka reloads off a six-week break for a leading metro stable after being run down late in a handy provincial maiden. Looked strong winning a soft track trial 19 days ago. 12. Crescent King is a two-year-old stablemate of the former improving into his second start. 16. Lady Invictus is a well-bred filly and big watch if she gets a run, resuming for her second start off two progressive trials.
How to play it: Klocke each way.
RACE 4
4. Viewpoint is a progressive three-year-old who did it too tough from the draw third-up in a deeper Saturday race over the Scone carnival. Much better placed here from a low barrier, with blinkers on, and can claim a third win from seventh start. 2. Hovland is ready to peak third-up staying over the mile. Has worked home into a place in two runs back off a lengthy break, and importantly blinkers are on. 5. Elle Hudson made up plenty of late ground here when resuming at huge odds, and drew to settle much closer this time over 300m further. 7. Stellar Rhonda won two straight before getting too far back in a BM 68 at Newcastle.
How to play it: Viewpoint to win.
RACE 5
2. Astronomix is an emerging Randwick three-year-old that can strike fresh off two easy trials. Bolted in his debut on the Kensington track in mid-January before being placed in his next two up to BM 72 grade. Ready to rock at good odds. 3. Hello Captain is a lightly raced and promising three-year-old that returned with a bang, powering home to win a similar race in heavy going after being backed from $2.30 in to $1.95. Has paid the weight tax, though, up to a hefty 62kg, and drawn wider, so tempo up front will be vital. Stablemate 6. Nandina is in the mix third-up after working home okay in that same race as the former. 13. Jarrito is lightly raced, and resumes off a trial win from the inside draw.
How to play it: Astronomix to win.
RACE 6
7. Natoya is an improving mare that can score an overdue third career win deep into the campaign. Only missed narrowly in top company early in the preparation, and was strong late in a similar race here in heavy going a fortnight back. 2. Cormac T hasnโt won for a while, but heโs tough in the battle, and will appreciate both a drop back from Saturday grade and a significantly longer trip. 3. Black Babylon can peak third-up over further after running home from near the back in that same race as the top selection. 10. Le Troisir switches states after being twice in the money from his last four in Victoria.
How to play it: Natoya to win.
RACE 7
10. Aye Aye Captain is a progressive mare that rates on top second-up off a long break. Won two from three in the spring of 2024 up to city BM 68 level when right in the market before being forced into a long spell. Returned in autumn, and found the line in similar company on the Kensington track. Given six weeks since that run via a quiet trial, drawn to get to the outside, and this is her right distance. 7. Mamushka is a capable mare building a smart record, and gets blinkers on second-up. Wasnโt far away in mares company when resuming, although still a query if the track becomes very chopped up. 3. Metaphorically is over the odds resuming from a soft draw behind two improving trials. 6. Formal second-up is at big odds after missing by a long neck here in similar grade and going.
How to play it: Aye Aye Captain to win
BEST BETS:
R1 6. KRASINA; R2 8. OUR HUNTRESS
BEST VALUE: R4 4. VIEWPOINT
Supplied by Racing NSW
