| NUM |
TIME |
COMMENT |
|
1
|
12:10
|
Robert Taranto Handicap 1800m
Genuine tempo with Mukhtalif and Figlio D'argento up front. MUKHTALIF (4) creates interest in the opener. He's an import for the Ciaron Maher yard who was last seen winning very well in fast time at York over 2112m, posting a rating that would take a bit of beating in this. He's won a 1500m trial here which suggests he should be quite forward and he can make a winning local debut. ENGINE OF WAR (10) resumed over 1500m at Caulfield Heath and ran well off a strong tempo, sticking on well nearer the inside to finish second. He showed good staying promise last time in and can improve into this. CURSE IT (3) had his winning streak come to an end last time at Caulfield Heath but still ran well and should be right there again. OVERACTIVE (5) improved nicely second up to score narrowly at Cranbourne and will be fitter again. HALLOWED HALLS (11) beat Curse It last time and has to be respected deep into his first campaign. SUGGESTED PLAY: Mukhtalif to win, save Engine Of War. |
|
2
|
12:40
|
Elvis Thurgood Memorial 1600m
Moderate pace with A Diva taking up the running ahead of Chiringita and Miss Tarzy. TERILEE (3) looks the one to beat again. She won very smartly last start at Sandown Hillside over 1400m, coming away late to score by 1.75 lengths. She's off a let up here but the stable keep them fit and she's always promised to get over a bit of ground so the mile should suit. CHIRINGITA (5) presents third up here having been good in two runs back. She'll be fitter again and can improve. AUTUMN SLIDE (6) ran well first up at Cranbourne when getting home late in a bunched finish. She should be much better suited up to this trip and has claims. A DIVA (4) won well fresh at Cranbourne as a $3 hope to build on her imposing record. She has upside and can go on with it. SUGGESTED PLAY: Terilee to win. |
|
3
|
01:15
|
Stow Storage Bill Collins Handicap 1400m
A keen contest with Alero and Thebelmontgangster leading from Hot Digity Boom. THEBELMONTGANGSTER (6) resumes. He came over as a progressive import and knocked off Observer first up at Sandown Hillside, pulling up with a slow recovery in a strong race here before a spell. He's got plenty of upside and can take this while fresh. HOT DIGITY BOOM (3) is racing in good consistent form, just finding one better late in Adelaide last time. He maps for soft trail and can win. ALERO (4) is going well, a winner two back at Pakenham, solid last time at Sandown Lakeside. He maps well and has each way claims. DUBAI WATCH (7) can sprint well fresh at odds. RUSSIAN METEOR (10) best of the rest in a small field. SUGGESTED PLAY: Thebelmontgangster to win. |
|
4
|
01:50
|
Bert Bryant Handicap 2400m
Expecting a strong gallop with Xtra Rush and Bergasun taking up the running over Pantile Warrior. PANTILE WARRIOR (9) has been thereabouts his past couple, solid last week at Flemington when sticking on for fourth. His overseas form suggests he wants every bit of this trip now, he'll take catching. XTRA RUSH (2) is a progressive 5yo who was just run down late last time. 2400m looks okay for him, he'll give a sight. BERGASUN (4) has won two on the bounce and has claims up in grade. THE WESTERN FRONT (6) wasn't quite at his best last time in Sydney but was far from disgraced. Boasts peaks that measure up and reunites with Stackhouse. Don't take lightly. KURAKKA (7) is building nicely and won't be bothered by the rise in trip. Not dismissing. SUGGESTED PLAY: Pantile Warrior to win. |
|
5
|
02:25
|
Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap 1700m
There should be a bit of pressure with Paltrow Miss and Miss Revealing pressing forward in advance of Savitri and Celibate. SAVITRI (6) is a progressive type who won in strong time when last seen at Caulfield Heath over 1500m. She gets 2.5kg off the topweight and looks set to appreciate extra ground here. JUST KICK (8) also comes through the Getta Good Feeling race, working home well for a narrow fourth. She can improve into this. MORGANA (4) was among the placings last time when third at this track and will be fitter again, expected to run well. Holds definite each-way claims. Wary of the unbeaten PALTROW MISS (5), who made the perfect return off a long break at Sandown-Hillside. Has buckets of upside and can step right up to the mark without surprising. SUGGESTED PLAY: Savitri to win. |
|
6
|
03:00
|
Jack Elliott Handicap 1200m
Good pace from Toronado Queen, Azzacool and Torsheen going forward. Tough race. TORONADO QUEEN (4) didn't fire down the straight two back then just failed to reel in a huge priced winner here last time. She maps for a sweet run on speed here and shouldn't be far away at each way odds. Wary of EXTRAGALACTIC (8) who resumed with a dominant win over 1000m at Pakenham in fast time. Tough draw out to 1200m but she's clearly come back very well. TORSHEEN (1) just keeps raising the bar, sticking on gamely at big odds behind a top filly in Point Barrow last time out. That form looks strong, she just has to give them all weight. BEL LUPA (12) resumed with an easy maiden win at Pakenham over 1000m and has scope to improve. MARSEPT (10) is still a maiden but resumes here off a nice jumpout win and has shown ability, respecting. SUGGESTED PLAY: Leaning to Toronado Queen. |
|
7
|
03:35
|
Evergreen Turf Geoff Murphy Handicap 1200m
Genuine tempo with Celsius Star to lead but under plenty of pressure in a keen early contest. Another wide open affair. RUE DE ROYALE (5) continues to race well, just finding a swooper to strong late at Flemington when last seen. Most of his good recent form has been down the straight but he'll be up on speed and hard to run down. LAA DE SHA (2) won nicely two back, just missing in a series final at Cranbourne last time when in the market. He'll be competitive again. THEBLADE (7) resumes having won two on the bounce prior to a spell. He can kick up to try and hold leader's back here and that will see him hard to beat. MYTEMPTATION (4) beat Laa De Sha last time and must have claims off that. SUGGESTED PLAY: Rue De Royale on top. |
|
8
|
04:15
|
Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Easter Cup 2000m
Solid tempo likely from Ambassadorial and Sea What I See. Big field and a deep betting race for the Easter Cup. Just have to give IMMEDIACY (6) one more chance at the prices he's come up. The fresh run behind subsequent G1 Australian Cup winner Light Infantry Man was outstanding before racing flat second up. Being back and wide was impossible at Flemington last time - forgive that, he's a huge price. PLYMOUTH (7) had been building nicely into the Albury Cup and just found a local too strong on the day but ran very well for second. He's rock hard fit and draws for a nice run. BANKERS CHOICE (1) resumed with a very good third in the G2 Peter Young Stakes, splitting Apulia and Light Infantry Man which is top form. Fitter now to 2000m, he too looks a big price despite a hefty impost. SEA WHAT I SEE (10) can peak third up. SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Immediacy. |
|
9
|
04:55
|
Sportsbet Victoria Handicap 1400m
Sizzling pace from El Rocko, Bossy Benita and Wrote To Arataki locking horns ahead of Here To Shock and Oh Too Good. Another cracking race for our other feature, the Victoria Handicap. WROTE TO ARATAKI (7) was game in the G3 Tressady Stakes with 58kg last time against the mares, she drops sharply in the weights here and will take plenty of catching if she crosses. PERSIAN SPIRIT (6), HERE TO SHOCK (1) and CAFE MILLENIUM (2) all come through the G3 Shaftesbury Avenue at Flemington. Persian Spirit ran well against the pattern which suited Here To Shock, but he'll map very well again. Cafe Millenium will be trying to pick up the pieces late. MERIDIUS (12) was good here fresh when cutting down the well fancied Verdoux. Can go on with it. SUGGESTED PLAY: Going with Wrote To Arataki. |
|
10
|
05:35
|
Noel Rundle Handicap 1400m
Plenty of pressure from Porter, Sassy Boom and Xarpo battling for the lead over Just Cruisin'. GOLD MEDALLIST (9) got to 1400m last start and relished the trip, coming right away to score by 2 lengths over a progressive horse in Enamorada, winning in fast time. She's now 4/4 at the distance and while it may be a tricky ride for the apprentice, if she slots in she's the one to beat. XARPO (16) won well fresh, just going down narrowly second up in a tough effort at Sandown Hillside. She can push forward from out wide here and take catching. MERRIGOLD (3) continues to race very well, just finding one better last time off a let up over this route. She can strip fitter and I think they've worked out she's a 1400m horse. PORTER (6) can mix his form a bit but will be up on speed and trying to pinch it. SUGGESTED PLAY: Gold Medallist to win. |
