Race 1
CARMEN EMJAY (3) was very good first up from a spell and with the mares’ claim bringing her into this race, she may have enough speed early to cross to the pegs and give them something to chase. OH NO NEVER AGAIN (4) has been super consistent in this grade of late and is another that possesses enough gate speed to put himself on speed. EVERYTHING BUT THE (1) and ROLLWITHARTY (2) both draw favourably and should settle close enough to the speed to give themselves every chance with economical runs in transit. MONEYS NO ISSUE (8) has been thereabouts of late and could be finishing strongly if the gaps appear, while ROCKS ROY (10) was improved last start and will be relying on genuine tempo throughout to bring him into the race late.
Selections: CARMEN EMJAY (3), OH NO NEVER AGAIN (4), EVERYTHING BUT THE (1), ROLLWITHARTY (2)
Race 2
ZOE ELLA (2) is a three-year-old filly taking on the older horses here, but she has more upside than most and may be able to cross to the pegs early, which would make her very hard to beat. CUZZY JUNIOR (1) has sufficient gate speed and will have options from the draw, though he is expected to take a sit and get his chance up the sprint lane. SMILING MIA (3) looks the obvious runner to upset the expected speed map with her sharp gate speed, though she has not been finishing off her races of late. IDEN OLIVER (4) and ITSMENOTU (5) are both consistent performers, but have come up with awkward barriers. CAN FEEL THE FURY (8) looks the best of the back row runners and should enjoy a cosy pegs run.
Selections: ZOE ELLA (2), CUZZY JUNIOR (1), IDEN OLIVER (4), CAN FEEL THE FURY (8)
Race 3
LADY IN LINE (6) set a hot tempo first up in the state before being run down late in fast time. She is expected to roll forward again from the wide draw over the mile and should take plenty of beating. JEREMY WELLS (10) drops back slightly in grade from the company he has been meeting and should be running home strongly. MIRA DOMINA (1) gets her chance to improve from the pole draw and could be in the finish if she can reproduce her previous New South Wales form. It would not surprise to see several others run into the minor placings, including AURORA REASON (8), who may be the value runner if the gaps appear from the pegs draw.
Selections: LADY IN LINE (6), JEREMY WELLS (10), MIRA DOMINA (1), AURORA REASON (8)
Race 4
MISS COLLANN (5) resumes from a spell and makes her first appearance for Team Davis, whose stable has been going well of late. After a handy recent trial performance, she is expected to use her sharp gate speed to settle on speed and prove hard to beat. HAMMER DAN (1) has been encouraging at his past couple of starts from awkward draws and should be suited by the pole over the mile, particularly if he can hold out MY WAY (2) from crossing him after the start. WE SALUTE YOU (8) should enjoy the perfect pegs run from the inside of the back row and will be finishing strongly if the gaps appear. The other back row runners, SMOOTH REASON (9), GOODTIME OSCAR (10) and PREPARATION (11), will all be relying on genuine tempo throughout to bring them into the race, though their class should see them charging home regardless and may prove decisive in this field.
Selections: MISS COLLANN (5), GOODTIME OSCAR (10), WE SALUTE YOU (8), HAMMER DAN(1)
Race 5
BARBARY TALES (4), last season’s star three-year-old filly, resumes here off a nice trial. There is some handy gate speed drawn inside her and her chances would improve if IMPERIAL LAZ (2) found the front, as expected, and elected to take a trail on her, something he has done previously. MCMAYHEM (1) broke in the early stages last week but still made up good ground in sharp time and should enjoy a cosy run on the pegs from the pole draw, giving him every chance. It would not surprise to see any of the other runners work into first four calculations with the right run in transit, particularly if the favoured runners overdo things up front.
Selections: BARBARY TALES (4), IMPERIAL LAZ (2), MCMAYHEM (1), THE CHANCER (6)
Race 6
RAINBOW RANGER (6) is a handy three-year-old coming off a quick let-up and should be suited by the small field, allowing him to be running home strongly late. SOHO TUXEDO (2) has produced encouraging efforts at his past two starts and should enjoy a good run from the favourable draw to give himself every chance. It is best to ignore MILLYCENT (4) run last start when she was restrained to the rear as a short-priced favourite and was unable to work into the race late. MUZZAME MATE (7) has ability and will be relying on genuine tempo throughout to run into the finish, while RESURGENT WARRIOR (5) returned to the winner’s circle last start after finding the front and running even sectionals and may attempt to employ similar tactics again. COUNT YOUR BLESSING (1) is first up in the state with strong New South Wales form, though after only fair trial performances and times since arriving, it may pay to watch.
Selections: RAINBOW RANGER (6), SOHO TUXEDO (2), MILLYCENT (4), RESURGENT WARRIOR (5)
Race 7
A small but competitive field assembles for the Brighton Cup, where SHES ALLABOUTLUV (5) will attempt to continue her winning ways after a series of impressive performances climbing through the grades since arriving in the state. However, she may not have things all her own way this week, with all four runners drawn inside her possessing handy gate speed, which may see her driven more conservatively early. It is difficult to be confident about how the early speed map will unfold, with ANOTHER NIEN (2) likely to have a look for the pegs before potentially taking cover on CUSTOM HARLEY (3), a scenario that would enhance his chances. However, PADDOE PLUGGA (4) can really run the gate when asked. Either way, there should be genuine tempo throughout, which would suit SHES ALLABOUTLUV (5) and the evergreen THE SHALLOWS (6), who will both be charging home strongly. Keep an eye on WAVES OF CHANCE (1), who resumes first up in the state after a nice trial earlier this week and should get every chance from the pole draw.
Selections: SHES ALLABOUTLUV (5), CUSTOM HARLEY (3), THE SHALLOWS (6), WAVES OF CHANCE (1)
Race 8
A small field for the maiden rounds out the night, where IYLAC CHAMBER (6) looks to get his chance to break through. Despite drawing the widest gate, he should appreciate the 2090 metre trip more than others in the field. LETHAL REPLICA (4) has trialled nicely at times and appears to have the most upside, being one of the more lightly raced runners. OMYBACKNKNEES JUDGE (1) could be the improver from the pole draw at his third run for the new stable. MAJOR POPPI (3) has shown speed at times and has been capable of running into the placings, while VOODOO RANGER (5) will be looking to break through at start 26 and will no doubt loom as the winner late, as he has done on several occasions throughout his career.
Selections: IYLAC CHAMBER (6), LETHAL REPLICA (4), VOODOO RANGER (5), OMYBACKNKNEES JUDGE (1)
