Track Soft 5 and rail True:
Race 1 MAIDEN HCP (1400m):
Progressive Dubbo mare 4. I'm Scarlett has far more to offer than her modest record suggests. Improved into the minor money against better opposition last prep, and over much further, and given 25 days since running home hard at home first-up off a six month break.
Dangers: Big market watch on Armidale-based three-year-old 1. Kovu by Territories who starts behind an easy soft track trial run, and draws to find a handy trail. Honest 3. Fort Jefferson has been threatening to win one from well off the speed all prep, the latest charging home to be beaten a half length at Gunnedah. Drops 3.5kg from that run. Locally-trained 2. A Bit Bazarre gets much-needed gear changes fourth-up; while improving Lady Of The Hunter can run into the minor money.
How to play it: I'm Scarlett to win
Race 2 MAIDEN PLATE (950m):
A significant drop back to this short course trip is the key for lightly raced three-year-old 4. Best Defence breaking through third-up off a six week break. Only missed by a head, resuming in a better maiden than this before weakening late when tackling an even stronger field over 1200m.
Dangers: Keep safe 6. Look Closer who can peak fourth-up with a gear change. Must Include 7. Powerstone who was beaten under a length when resuming off a lengthy break; and improving filly 8. Cotton Sox at her third start with a key jockey change.
How to play it: Best Defence to win
Race 3 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (950m):
Staying at the scamper distance for the restricted sprinters, and improving mare 4. Distant finds an ideal and modest race race to make it two wins from her last three. Led all the way to break through in a handy maiden two months ago before running home okay in a much deeper country Cl1. Like then again has been given plenty of time between runs, and draws to find a handy spot just off the speed.
Dangers: Steadily improving 5. Rocky Ride draws the fence, and will be doing his best work late; while honest mare 6. So Extra should also be strong late. Included in trifecta and first four bets 2. Obey second-up; and 3. Vertical who has a consistent record generally against weaker opposition, but is fit and gets blinkers back on.
How to play it: Distant to win
Race 4 MAIDEN PLATE (1300m):
Versatile and tough four-year-old 3. Super Story is bursting to break through deep into the prep. Ran home okay into a place in a much smarter maiden field at Scone before being taken much further back next start and hitting the line late behind a promising one. Those formlines read very well for this, 11 days between runs. Has a better than 50 percent record in the placings from 15 starts.
Dangers: Plenty of respect for 2. Platinum Warrior who fought on for a long way in a better maiden at Dubbo. Expect sharp improvement from ex-Victorian 4. Villaneuve second-up for the new Dubbo yard. Another improver is 10. So Rosie after charging home late into a place in a handy maiden; while lightly raced filly 12. Autofocus is the best of the rest.
How to play it: Super Story to win
Race 5 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1600m):
Out to the mile for a race with plenty of chances, headed by progressive five-year-old 2. Turnaway who comes off a smart and fast-finishing fresh win in a deeper BM 58, and normally holds form into the next start.
Dangers: Honest 5. Hallowed Son dropped in class to finally win a second race 10 days ago, but this is naturally harder. Keep safe 8. Interventionist who reloads after two fair efforts in CL2 company. Improving 1. Norman; 3. Green Run second-up with blinkers going on; and lightly raced 4. Dyecast Missile, whose only win so far from four starts came on debut at this track; are all capable of figuring in the money.
How to play it: Turnaway to win
Race 6 CLASS 1 HCP (1200m):
Emerging four-year-old 2. Goonoo finds a very winnable race third-up off a five week freshen in his first full prep. Flew home late just behind the placegetters at Dubbo first-up before leading in a tactical change at Mudgee when only collared late. Importantly was scratched at the barriers at the Mudgee meeting on Sunday. The one to beat here.
Dangers: Progressive filly and last start maiden winner 4. Figment is the immediate threat, and can run the quinella; while stablemate 5. Gunmetal gets good weight relief, and will be charging home late fourth-up. Underrated mare 8. Allande is clear best of the rest after finishing nicely third-up in a weaker grade.
How to play it: Goonoo to win
Race 7 BENCHMARK 58 HCP (1300m):
Evenly raced mare 7. Lago's Daughter draws wide, and can be hard to catch, but her best would put this field away with something in hand. Roared home to beat a deeper Fillies and Mares lineup at Newcastle when resuming before again doing her best work late in smarter company at Muswellbrook. Will likely drift a long way back again, but with any sort of toe into the race from the 600m, she can finish over them.
Dangers: Keep safe talented 3. Eighty Eight Stars after a narrow CL1 win at Muswellbrook. Honest 5. Quick As A Flash has continued to settle back and find the line okay since winning in similar company three runs ago. Both 4. Albanjo who has won here; and improving filly 14. Corpsman fourth-up; can add value into trifecta and first fours.
How to play it: Lago's Daughter to win
BEST BETS:
R3 4. DISTANT
R6 2. GOONOO
BEST VALUE:
R7 7. LAGO'S DAUGHTER
