The track is rated Good 4 with the rail out 2 metres.
Race 1: Improving Filly Primed for Success
In the opening event, Saytara (8) presents as an improving front-running filly who could be peaking fourth-up in her first full preparation. This race, with a field of only six and a distinct lack of early speed, further enhances her prospects. While she’s been comfortably run down in her last two starts when fancied by the market, she drops a kilogram for this assignment and is drawn to exert minimal effort in the early stages.
A significant threat is Viva Mauricio (2), who is hard fit deep into his preparation. He narrowly missed at longer odds here a fortnight ago and is drawn to secure a handy trail. Defendant (3), a stablemate of Viva Mauricio, is another with claims. He can peak third-up from a soft draw after running on from well back in that same race. There appears to be a considerable gap in ability to the rest of the field.
How to play it: Saytara to win.
Race 2: Mares’ Race Sees Lightly Raced Runner Return
The second race features mares, and Manaajem (7), a lightly raced four-year-old, makes her return. This is her first run since last winter when she contested tougher Saturday company. She has had two improving trials up to 1030 metres and possesses the breeding to suggest she can handle further distances. With early cover, she is capable of producing a superior surge in the final 400 metres at attractive odds.
Another progressive four-year-old is Maybe Moet (3). She ran home strongly first-up in a deeper race, but her second-up form figures are not particularly inspiring, and she rises a significant 5 kilograms in weight, making her somewhat under the odds. The gap to the rest of the field is notable, with Lady Yarrow (6) heading the remainder.
How to play it: Manaajem to win.
Race 3: Three-Year-Old Talent Set to Shine Again
Bryant (2), a talented three-year-old, is well-placed to record back-to-back victories over more ground. He comfortably claimed his maiden first-up after a lengthy spell, being a short-priced and heavily supported favourite.
Caesar (4) resumes as a gelding for his third career start. He won both of his lead-up trials and is drawn to enjoy a soft run, either leading or parked just behind the speed. He is a strong contender for the quinella. Aisle Two (6) is a market watch, coming to town for her second-up run after sweeping home to win a provincial CL1. Rajwa (8), a lightly raced filly, also comes off a maiden win and is drawn to get a soft run on speed. Willingham (5) boasts a fitness edge at longer odds, reloading off a tough third-up maiden performance over this distance.
How to play it: Bryant to win.
Race 4: Distance and Grade Rise Suits Centenario
Centenario (8) appears ready for the step up in distance and grade second-up. He did his best work late when resuming over a middle distance, and given his breeding suggests he can run a genuine staying trip, this race looks ideal. He should settle a few lengths off the speed with plenty of cover. He has an excellent record at this course, never missing a place in three starts.
Kenmare Bay (9) charged home to win a lesser quality race here two starts back before a fair closing effort on the Kensington track. He is looking for this trip but may not be ideally suited being drawn to settle within traffic. Pleasure Artist (5) offers each-way value, reloading after a six-week break and a quiet trial. Mirra Impact (7) will need to tuck in from the outside gate but is fit enough and receives a substantial weight drop for the rise in grade. Suit Of Armour (6) steps up in trip second-up, and Allegro Miss (10), chasing a third consecutive win at this track, can both add value to trifecta and first four combinations.
How to play it: Centenario to win.
Race 5: Shalaa Gold Primed for Improvement
Shalaa Gold (3) was below par when resuming after a tardy start, but can significantly improve, especially with a few of the leading market fancies scratched. Despite drawing wide, she comes through a deeper race and has a perfect record of never missing a place in three starts when second-up.
Action King (5) also faces a tricky draw but remains a significant market watch as he comes to the city after demolishing his opposition in a feature country sprint on Australia Day. Lady Olenna (10), coming off a tough CL3 Highway win, and Strada Varenna (12), third-up from a wide gate, can both add value to exotic bets.
How to play it: Shalaa Gold to win.
Race 6: Emballee the One to Beat in Weakened Field
In what has now become a weakened race, Emballee (8) is hard fit, benefiting from a top trainer and rider combination, and is the horse to beat. She rushed home to be beaten less than a length here a fortnight ago and is poised to break through for another win.
Pillow Fight (3) is drawn to get an economical run on speed after leading for a significant portion of her last start third-up. Oakfield Manselle (4) shapes as overs despite stepping up to metropolitan company. He finished strongly to win a provincial BM 64 second-up. Gentileschi (1) is a second-up improver but faces a challenge from a tricky draw.
How to play it: Emballee to win.
Race 7: Competitive Field with Several Chances
This race presents a challenge with several runners capable of winning. At the top of the list is Starboard (10), an improving five-year-old who can find his best fourth-up from a softer draw. He worked home adequately in a provincial BM 68 three weeks ago. While this is a tougher assignment, he drops to the 54kg limit.
Spirit Of Camelot (5) is a significant betting watch, resuming after a 42-week spell and making her first start for the new Peter Snowden stable. Monte Kate (2) defeated handy fillies and mares here third-up and is up to this stiffer test, benefiting from a weight drop and a soft draw. Slinky (4) is tracking towards another win, fourth-up and crucially having a month between runs. Fine Vintage (1) is worth including in wider exotic plays, coming off a last-start win in weaker company.
How to play it: Starboard to win.
Race 8: Promising Stayer for Waller
Soverato (10), a lightly raced filly from the Chris Waller stable, returns for her third career start and first since last spring. She broke her maiden at her second attempt, sweeping home at Kembla as a heavily backed fancy before being spelled. She is fitted to run this trip fresh after two trials up to 1207 metres and is considered a promising stayer in the making.
Fast Track (13), a progressive four-year-old, can go back-to-back fourth-up against her own sex. She came off two close-up efforts to prove dominant from the front in a CL1 at Kembla as a well-backed favourite. Bred to get further, she still possesses plenty of scope for improvement this campaign. Sister Daae (4) can improve sharply third-up over more ground. Throttle Response (9), a stablemate of the top selection, gets blinkers added.
How to play it: Soverato to win.
BEST BETS:
* Race 3: Bryant (2)
* Race 4: Centenario (8)
BEST VALUE:
* Race 8: Soverato (10)
