Ray Hickson
Selections based on a heavy track
Race 1
Prepared to give 5. Crossways another go from an inside barrier this time. He was stuck chasing a solid tempo on debut and despite weakening late he still boxed on OK. Has the chance to improve with a different set-up. 1. Churchillian has shown good speed in his recent trials and bears close watching on debut. Appeared to handle the soft 7 in the latest trial. 6. Farfetched was first-up in the same race as Crossways and, while safely held by the winner, ran a handy second. Yet to see worse than soft 5 but good chance if she handles it.
How to play it: Crossways to win.
Race 2
Sanctum caught the eye on debut two weeks ago, overcoming early interference in the straight to close nicely behind Omolong ā€“ a form line that has held up strongly since. Has to do it on a wet track but does look above average. 3. Horologist made a handy first impression as he charged late when in the clear to run second on a soft 6 at Canterbury. Draws well again and no reason he canā€™t be in the finish. 5. Short Sea kicked off at Kensington a month ago and the best part of his race was the finish. If gate one is an advantage he should be competitive again.
How to play it: Sanctum to win.
Race 3
4. Lady Invictus measured up pretty well jumping from her maiden win to a BM72 at Rosehill where she held on for third. Back in grade, her win was on a soft 7 and sheā€™ll be in this for a long way, especially if she can find the front. 3. Gatwick showed a lot of speed to pounce on the lead and run them off their feet over 1250m three weeks ago. If she can hold up from the inside gate, and handle heavier ground, she should be hard to beat again. 7. Sponars has been racing well at the provincials with three seconds since a maiden win. Looks to handle the ground and drawn to have the chance to show up.
How to play it: Lady Invictus to win.
Race 4
5. Inoue is first-up for a new stable and has trialled nicely in the lead-up to what looks a winnable race. Has run well fresh previously, gate one looks a plus and he does handle a wet track. 2. Madrina was narrowly beaten by Glorious Moments on a heavy track three starts ago and hasnā€™t been too far off them in two subsequent runs. 3. Zale continued his consistent form of late by leading all the way to win at Warwick Farm two weeks ago. Only negative could be the heavy track but hard to ignore on recent efforts.
How to play it: Inoue to win.
Race 5
9. Lipstick is bursting to win a race. Two starts back, she chased hard behind Ballpark (whose form has since been franked by another win). She then looked to have Bird Whistle covered at Randwick last time out, only to be outgunned late. Handles all ground, back in grade and only has to hold form to be competitive. 12. Agraffe Rocket backed up a handy Kensington second with a popular maiden win on heavy at Newcastle. Obviously up in class here but nicely drawn and handles the ground so could back it up. 5. Virgilā€™s Gift ran well fresh at Kensington a month ago before leading off a wide gate up in class at Rosehill and weakening. Find this easier, draw is kinder and looks a good chance to fire.
How to play it: Lipstick to win.
Race 6
4. Skycatcher is worth another chance after being a shade disappointing up in grade at Rosehill in what is a strong form race. Relished the heavy to win over 1550m at this track previously and, based on that performance, can be a major player. 6. Trapalanda was sent out favourite when resuming at Warwick Farm two weeks ago and ran well just finding a fitter horse on the day. Consistent, has placed in heavy ground, and sure to be better for that run. 14. Think I Will jumped from a heavy-track maiden win to score an all-the-way victory over this course three weeks ago. Up 2.5kg and drawn wide but will go forward and has to be respected.
How to play it: Skycatcher each way.
Race 7
3. Metaphorically was well below his best when resuming off a long break at Warwick Farm a month ago and heā€™s been back to the trials twice since then. Blinkers go on, draws well and if he can make use of it then this is the right race for him to find some form. 5. Steel Strike returns as a gelding and did place when resuming last time in. While his trials have looked OK at best, he has to be kept very safe. 9. Unstopabull charged home from the back into a close second at Warwick Farm when resuming. Doesnā€™t win out of turn and likely gives away a start here but handles all ground and has a case.
How to play it: Metaphorically each way.
Best bets
Race 1: (5) Crossways
Race 4: (5) Inoue
Best Value
Race 6 (4) Skycatcher
Supplied by Racing NSW
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