| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
|
1
|
11:25
|
CAPTIVANT @ KIA ORA HANDICAP 1500m
Moderate tempo with Spaceballs leading the way and a few others keeping in touch.
SPACEBALLS (7) appreciated the step up in distance last start, producing a good figure when the closest of seconds over 1400m at Newcastle. Interested with the timing of the application of blinkers - that move may give her the extra spark to rise to this level. HOPPER (3) settled a long way off the lead before rallying late to finish just 1.2 lengths behind Amusing here a fortnight ago. Meets that mare 2.5kgs better. Maps nicely just off a hot tempo and will be hard to hold out. AMUSING (5) came with a well-timed run to just arrive in time in a BM72 here at this trip recently. Lightly raced mare who gets up in the weights but can get the job done again with McDonald taking over. BARBRAY (2) was never a factor in the Group 3 Winx Guineas on the Gold Coast last start. Worth another chance back in this company. NARBOLD (4) hasn't won for a long while but her latest effort behind Amusing had merit. Should race handy and give a good account. SUGGESTED PLAY: Spaceballs at a nice price is worth the gamble. |
|
2
|
12:00
|
MIDWAY HANDICAP 1400m
Pace genuine with Forecaster and Cold Brew pressing hard closely followed by Monkhana and Show County. FORECASTER (2) backs up seven days after battling on okay for third over the Randwick mile. Coming back to 1400m doesn't look ideal but a heavy 10 will feel like 1600m so give him the benefit of the doubt. The claim of Stanley comes in handy and he looks well placed in this field. DUMEBI (8) went back in trip and failed to measure up at Kembla last start when second-up. Has won both third-up assignments and handles the wet so he ticks a few key boxes. Looks poised to strike third-up and is expected to run a bold race. COLD BREW (5) has won two on the bounce on the provincial circuit. Tougher essay this time but his form should stack up. CONVERGENT (7) comes into this off a freshen where he was solid in Midway company prior. Looks open to plenty of improvement and is not to be discounted. SUGGESTED PLAY: Forecaster gets the nod. |
|
3
|
12:35
|
TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP 1200m
Solid tempo set by Without Parallel and Via Vegas. Unbeaten mare WITHOUT PARALLEL (5) returned from a 21-week spell at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago and just did enough after leading from the outset. Should cope with the prevailing conditions and she looks nicely in after Roper's claim. Big chance to keep the record intact. MARTINI MUMMA (3) is a smart mare who showed a glimpse of form last time out, making up good ground to grab third over this course and distance. Could be the danger with winkers going on for the first time. Lightly raced four-year-old WINNING EMOTIONS (17) shouldered 58kgs to win a Class 1 over 1000m at Warren recently. Drops to the limit today and should be ready for a return to 1200m. Must be respected. KING TAURUS (12) won by panels on the Canberra Acton Friday week ago at the fourth run of the campaign. Different story this time but the authority of that win is hard to ignore. XANADU MISS (16) is going well on the country/provincial circuit and doesn't mind it heavy so with the light weight she is on the radar. SUGGESTED PLAY: Sticking with Without Parallel. |
|
4
|
01:10
|
CONGRATULATIONS JAMES MCDONALD HANDICAP 1400m
African Daisy should have enough pace to lead a low-pressure contest. PIPPIE BEACH (2) was in great form this prep until she tackled a BM88 at Randwick last time and wasn't up to the task. Back in grade today and loves the sting out of the track. Looks a key player following the scratching of the early favourite. SUPER NORWEST (9) won a Highway here at this distance three back and hasn't been far away since. Loves Rosehill and if she gets through this going is a top three contender. SISTER DAAE (11) charged home along with Amusing here last start but missed in a rib-tickler. Back 100m in trip but the small field suits. In the mix. LADY EXTREME (1) wasn't disgraced in the Grafton Ramornie last time out and she will enjoy getting back onto a track with give. SUGGESTED PLAY: Pippie Beach to win. |
|
5
|
01:45
|
CONGRATULATIONS BRAITH NOCK HANDICAP 1200m
In the absence of noted leaders, Dyami and Art's Alive may be the ones to set a moderate tempo. ART'S ALIVE (4) took up the running in a new role for her then battled on gamely to finish third behind Useapin here at this trip two weeks ago. Fitter for that run and if early races show a leader tendency, then she might be a nice bet at a price. Three-year-old GRAND PRAIRIE (11) returned from a spell and was lining up for only the third time when a narrow maiden winner over 1100m at the Kensington track recently. Taking a big leap in grade today but he is in good hands and is an untapped talent. The consistent STARDEEL (5) has performed well in rain affected tracks all prep. Sure to give a great sight again on a seven-day back-up. Last start winner USEAPIN (2) with McDonald up is a chance again. SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Art's Alive. |
|
6
|
02:20
|
NATIONAL JOCKEYS TRUST HANDICAP 1500m
Highlights, Headley Grange and Estadio Mestalla can set a good tempo. HIGHLIGHTS (4) is a dud first-up as a rule so his fourth to the in-form King Of Roseau here a fortnight ago was an encouraging start to the prep. Loves it wet and has won two from three here at this trip. Over the odds. WELWAL (1) has tackled three straight Listed races with mixed fortunes. Past form at Group level means he lumps 59.5kgs on a bottomless track but he is too good to rule out. HEADLEY GRANGE (3) opened the prep with consecutive wins before failing in the South Grafton Cup where he raced wide. Loves it wet so he can bounce back. ESTADIO MESTALLA (2) won the Winter Stakes here two back but he is unproven in heavy going. Have my reservations but she has to be included with her class. SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Highlights in a tricky assignment. |
|
7
|
02:55
|
JOCKEYS APPRECIATION HANDICAP 2000m
Piggyback and Shahzad will settle forward and can set a moderate tempo. Ciaron Maher's Irish import JUJA KIBO (9) is starting to hit his straps in a second Australian campaign. Came from well back to score an arrogant win over 1800m at Sandown last start. Meets a better line-up today but there is a stack of room for further progress and with just 54.5kgs after the claim he looks the one. PIGGYBACK (7) is an honest mare who chased Aberlour all the way over 1800m at Randwick last time. Getting deep into the prep which is new territory for her but the addition of blinkers today might add some spark. SLY BOOTS (6) comes here off a tidy Canterbury win ten days ago. Tougher ask this time but he is very fit and might be able to lead in a race that lacks pressure on paper. CAPTAIN MAVERICK (10) has been knocking on the door in midweek company and handled the Heavy track at Warwick Farm two back. Tougher here but should get his chance. SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Juju Kibo, with a lack of obvious pace in the race the only concern. |
|
8
|
03:35
|
JOCKEYS CELEBRATION DAY HANDICAP 1400m
The pace looks strong from the outset. FULLY LIT (1) raced ungenerously and consequently tired last start in a BM88 over 1300m here. Blinkers come off today and Hyeronimus looks a suitable booking. Ready to put it all together in what looks an appealing assignment. ROLLING MAGIC (5) scored on a good track first-up then tackled a similar race last time in soft going and was poor. Not prepared to write him off as a dry tracker just yet though. Gets a key gear change and is good enough to turn things around. JUST IN TIME (12) transferred from Ciaron Maher to Jason Deamer and is flying at the provincials this time in work. Wet tracks may have played a part in that success, so she gets her chance here to raise the bar further. CAPTAIN FURAI (7) has trialled twice and can run a bit of a race first-up. SUGGESTED PLAY: Fully Lit is a very nice each-way option. |
|
9
|
04:10
|
NSW JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION HANDICAP 1300m
The Novelist is the probable leader in the small field. YOSHINOBU (12) has always showed ability but failed to deliver on a regular basis. Recently gelded and returned with a strong win in a BM78 over 1200m here a fortnight ago. Tackling a much better field here but drops 5kgs. Can go on with the job. WAR ETERNAL (3) is yet to place in six first-up runs so ignore the last result when fresh from a year off the scene. Dual Group placegetter who loves the sting out of the ground so he might be the value play. THE NOVELIST (2) has been freshened up since failing in the Group 3 Healy at Eagle Farm five weeks ago. Big trial winner recently. Likely leader but would prefer a firmer deck. SUGGESTED PLAY: Yoshinobu to win. |
|
10
|
04:45
|
CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS WALLER HANDICAP 1100m
Magnatear should spear straight to the front of the small field. HANAU (5) was luckless first-up then repaid backers with a narrow but impressive victory over the 1250m at Canterbury last time out. Up in class today and back in trip, though he handled the heavy going last start in good fashion and he looks to have found a suitable race today. CATCH THE GLORY (8) comes through a good race first-up where she was just too far back to threaten in the July Sprint, clocking some good splits late to finish 2.6L away. Untested on the Heavy going, but her form on Soft tracks reads well. Can be in the finish. MAGNATEAR (1) will have to lug the big weight but the claim of Wadick negates that somewhat. He's been handy at the trials coming into his fresh run and he does perform well on the fresh side. Wouldn't surprise to see him int he finish. HERBERT PARK (10) comes up from Melbourne chasing the Heavy going which she gets today. Unbeaten in these conditions and can add to her tally. SUGGESTED PLAY: With Hanau in a tricky race to end the day. |
