Race 1

MOVESLIKEALADY (3) can be hard to catch, but her first-up run back in the state was encouraging when making good ground in a fast-run mile. The small field suits and she should be hard to hold out late. PREPARATION (6) is a handy four-year-old who was very brave last start when doing the work outside the leader and only narrowly beaten — he will no doubt loom as the winner at some stage. IAMAHUNTER (4) has been in strong form and from a favourable map should enjoy a nice run in transit and be in the finish again. The remainder of the field are somewhat inconsistent, but any could fill the minor placings behind the main chances.

Selections MOVES LIKE A LADY, PREPARATION (6), IAMAHUNTER (4), KNOCK OUT (2)

Race 2

RAKADAN (2) has returned to his best in recent starts, winning in good time when settling on speed. With his gate speed, he should again land in a forward position. WHISKEY CAVALIER (5) and ANOTHER NIEN (4) both possess early speed and are likely to be used out of the gate to secure handy spots, which should ensure a solid tempo. MAGIC JOE (3) is a strong finisher who will appreciate that tempo, though this is a rise in class. The Wayne Yole trio of KEAYANG FITZY (6), IRON CLAD (7) and VANQUISH STRIDE (8) will also be relying on speed throughout to bring them into the race late.

Selections RAKADAN (2), ANOTHER NIEN (4), MAGIC JOE (3), WHISKEY CAVALIER (5)

Race 3

The first of two races for the no more than two-win horses sees RAVISHING RUBY (5) return to the state after going down as a short-priced favourite in last year’s Sweepstakes feature. She looks likely to roll forward and take some beating. WEE GEORGIE WOOD (3) has excellent gate speed and will be looking to lead throughout, while SHEZ ALL HEART (1) has improved sharply in recent starts and again draws to advantage from the pole. LUVATINNY (8) and RAINBOW RANGER (9) are drawn on the back row and will be relying on genuine tempo to bring them into the race over the short trip.

Selections RAVISHING RUBY (5), WEE GEORGIE WOOD (3), SHEZ ALL HEART (1), RAINBOW RANGER (9)

Race 4

FIVE STAR SHARK (3) gets back to a favourable front row draw and should be able to use his gate speed to find the pegs, though he is typically better suited over the mile. COLBY ART (2) has been racing well and should again look to kick through early and settle on speed, giving him every chance. MY MATE LUKE (4) is chasing three straight wins after an impressive last start victory when coming from well back, and there’s no reason he can’t repeat that performance here. The remainder of the field is evenly matched, with TWILIGHT BEACH (7) using the mare’s claim to gain entry and likely to be running on strongly if there is genuine tempo throughout.

Selections MY MATE LUKE (4), FIVE STAR SHARK (3), COLBY ART (2), TWILIGHT BEACH (7)

Race 5

MY BETTER HALF (4) was a strong winner first up in the state when doing all the work outside the leader in a handy mile rate and may be asked to do similar again here. The talented three-year-old ALWAYS BETTOR (3) returns and has shown sharp gate speed at times — if fit and on his best behaviour, he could give the favourite a real test. ALOT LIKE PENDLES (8) draws awkwardly over the short trip, which makes it tricky, but if the tempo is genuine and gaps appear, he can be charging home late. IRIS BROWN (10) made good ground first up from a spell last start and should strip fitter for that effort. The main chances appear to be among those, while the rest will be hoping to fill the minor placings in what is a competitive race.

Selections ALWAYS BETTOR (3), MY BETTER HALF (4),  ALOT LIKE PENDLES (8), IRIS BROWN (10)

Race 6

KEAYANG LEXI (1) gets her chance to break through in the state from the pole draw over the short trip. She has enough gate speed to hold the front and will take catching. ROLLWITHARTY (3) has been in good form and battled on well last start after doing plenty of work in fast time. FAMILY REASONS (4) was a black booker last start when making good ground from back in the field and can figure again despite the awkward draw. STEEL RULER (5) brings strong Victorian metro form but also faces a tricky gate. AURORA REASON (8) could be the improver from the inside back row draw and is suited by the mile, while HAY MIKI (7) is racing well but will need a strong tempo to offset the wide draw.

Selections KEAYANG LEXI (1), ROLLWITHARTY (3), FAMILY REASONS (4), AURORA REASON (8)

Race 7

A race where many of these have met recently from the stand start. SAPPHIRE GAMBLER (4) gets back to the front row and with his excellent stand-start manners, should be able to find the pegs — either in front or behind the leader — and looks a key chance on prior form. SETTEBELLO (5) pinged away last start and was too strong in a similar field over the longer trip, and will be looking to repeat that effort. INVITATION ONLY (10) did all the work in that race and was only narrowly beaten — with a softer run in transit, his class can take him a long way. MONTGOMERY BURNS (11) drops back from stronger races, including an Easter Cup heat, and will be suited by any mid-race pressure to bring him into the contest late. It would not surprise to see others feature in the placings, including COLBY SANZ (2) and GOODTIME OSCAR (3), both of whom draw to advantage on the front row.

Selections SAPPHIRE GAMBLER (4), SETTEBELLO (5), INVITATION ONLY (10), MONTGOMERY BURNS (11)

Race 8

A mares’ field that looks quite competitive, with the Steve Davis duo OUR SWEET TRIXIE (1)  and CENTURIAN MISS (2) likely to play a key role early given their gate speed. Leaning to CENTURIAN MISS (2)  as the one with slightly more upside, and she may take control of the race. BROOKFIELD BEAUTY (6) has been competing in stronger metro mares races in Queensland and despite the awkward draw, her class should see her in the finish. FAR LEFT FLETCH (4) made good ground from back in the field last start and will be looking to slot in for a softer run to feature here. The remainder are evenly matched, with ANGELSHAVTIME (8) likely to enjoy a nice pegs run behind the speed and get her chance late.

Selections CENTURIAN MISS (2), OUR SWEET TRIXIE (1), BROOKFIELD BEAUTY (6), FAR LEFT FLETCH (4)

Race 9

LOUGLE (1) is building an impressive record and continues to win comfortably as he rises through the grades, doing so in fast time. He has the gate speed to lead here and looks extremely hard to beat. RAY DAN (3) returned to his best last start with a dominant win, he should secure cover and be finishing strongly, potentially following MR BONDI (4), who is likely to press forward and run his usual honest race. CAPTAIN PINS (5) has been hitting the line well from back in the field and could be one to watch at odds, while the remainder of the field appear to be battling for form and would need to lift to figure in the placings.

Selections LOUGLE (1), RAY DAN (3), MR BONDI (4), CAPTAIN PINS (5)