Rail: True
Track Condition: Good 4
Best Bet: Race 1 #4 D’argento $2.05 bet now
Value Bet: Race 8 #5 More To Gain $9 bet now
Race 1 – 11:40AM HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
No. 4 D’argento got back and absolutely stormed home to win like a very smart horse at Newcastle on debut. This is tougher, but this colt is a serious horse in the making and the rise in a trip is ideal. No. 8 All Too Soonis a lightly raced filly who has been good in both career starts. She is ready to peak now and McEvoy should really suit this horse. No. 3 Hostwin Meraki is unbeaten after two career starts. Talented gelding, but he is going to need some luck from the wide draw.
Back the 4 to win $2.05 bet now
Race 2 – 12:15 PM BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
No. 8 Rockafella resumes and has had two nice trials leading into this first-up run. He showed very good ability in his first-prep and this trip should suit. No. 4 Clear The Beach is a consistent gelding who has drawn well and the drop back in trip is perfect. No. 5 Parker’s Piece is a former Kiwi galloper who has trialed well for her new stable. She has drawn well and Bowman going on her back is a good push.
Back the 8 to win $3.8 bet now
Race 3 – 12:50PM PLATE (1400 METRES)
No. 2 Insensata has won her past two in a nice style. Her latest win off a slow tempo was very good and I can’t see anything beating this filly on Saturday if she produces her best. No. 6 The Pharoahstuck on well last start to finish second at Canterbury. He is ready to peak now and he should get a lovely run up on the speed throughout. No. 3 Cosmic Enginelooked flat last start, but I am happy to give him another chance because he is a talented horse who should appreciate the three weeks between runs.
Back the 2 to win $3.7 bet now
Race 4 – 1:25 PM HIGHWAY PLATE (1500 METRES)
No. 2 Appoint Percy did enough first-up to suggest that he can run a huge race this weekend. No. 3 Force Of Magic improved the last start and I wouldn’t’ be shocked if this horse ran a huge race and nice odds. No. 8 Prada Missran on well first-up and she is a big player in this race, but she does need luck from the wide draw.
Small bet on the 2 each way $6 bet now
Race 5 – 2:00 PM BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
No. 9 Feirin comes into this after winning like a smart animal on debut at Gosford. She is well above average, drawn well and the good track suits. No. 1 Alluviongot back and ran on well to finish eighth first-up at Warwick Farm. The big weight is a worry, but if she can relax throughout then she should finish off strongly. No. 2 Faith’s Encorehad no luck first-up, but I liked the way she attacked the line late. Her second-up record is good and barrier five ensures a lovely run throughout.
Back the 9 each way $10 bet now
Race 6 – 2:40 PM BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
No. 13 Vaucluse Bay was racing well before is a nice win at this track two weeks ago. He is a very fit horse who gets in well at the weights and barrier two ensures a perfect run just behind the speed. No. 6 Zourkhanhas been racing well in Melbourne and this gelding will really appreciate the step-up in trip. No. 2 Encosta Linescored a nice win last start at Flemington and he has drawn to get every chance this weekend.
Back the 13 to win $3 bet now
Race 7 – 3:20 PM WINTER CHALLENGE (1500 METRES)
No. 4 Classic Uniform did nothing last start, but I am happy to forgive him because his first-up run was good and he definitely has the class to run a big race this weekend. He has drawn well, drops in weight and his record over this distance reads well. No. 7 Slightly Sweet has been a bit of a tease in her career, but her last start win suggests that she is back to her best. She should sit just behind the speed and finish off strongly when asked. No. 11 Sultan Of Swinghas had a nice recent trial and I like that he drops in the trip.
Back the 4 each way 7.5 bet now
Race 8 – 4:00 PM BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP (1350 METRES)
No. 5 More To Gain resumes and worked home well from the back of the field in his recent trial. His first-up record is good and his form last prep reads very well. If he is ready to go then he should run a cracking race fresh. No. 7 Pick Me Upwon well last start, but he did get every chance and I am a bit concerned that he might have to do it a bit tough from the wide draw this weekend. No. 3 Embleycan improves now that he is fitter.
Back the 5 each way $9 bet now
Race 9 – 4:40 PM BENCHMARK 80 HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
No. 5 Philosophy won well first-up after sitting wide and then the last start she should have nearly won again, but she was held up at a vital stage. This mare will be fitter now and she should get a lovely run throughout. No. 4 Reiby Rampart is a consistent horse who rarely runs a bad race. No. 8 Awoke won well first-up and I expect her class to take her a long way in this BM 80
Back the 5 to win $4.8 bet now
QUADDIE
2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 13, 15
1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11
3, 5, 7, 8
4, 5, 7, 8, 12