Race 1 (1900m) CL1
Things didn't work out for ALL ABOUT OLLIE at Newcastle 22 days ago, but he was beaten a whisker there and at Gosford the two before over a mile. Placed perfectly in a country Maiden and Penza is a key jockey booking. EL BRAVO has had one blip in a string of threatening efforts. Three-back he was beaten less than 1L in a 64 at Kembla Grange and that stacks right He's capable of sitting closer from an inside gate and is on a quick backup. A danger. POKER DICE was no match for the impressive Dashing Elgee here at the last meeting but covered the others and will be better for In the premier Canberra yard and that's always a condition. PENSO would be very competitive at best but has been struggling to find Has switched from a metro barn on a 61-day return and may be appreciating the change of scenery and routine. The race-day market will tell plenty with him.
Race 2 (1080m) BM45
A Benchmark 45 and not all that easy to assess. HOT SUNDAE has the best 12-month form and has been racing well without winning. She draws for the run of the race and the in-form Heywood's booking is a lead. Draws for a soft run and despite lugging top weight will be hard to beat. HAMISH THE SWIFT sped along in front here at the last meeting and was only pinged in the shadows of the post. Draws wider today but he's tough and will give a sight if he gets things his own way. NEWTOWN IS COMING is hard to catch but the 1L defeat two-back at Nowra reads okay. Didn't get into it off an outside gate here last time. 2x winning rider Nisbet is reunited and racing at peak the veteran can go better. GAME COVE placed at Wagga and then folded up from the speed here at the last meeting in a CL1. Has the blinkers on again and Owen is a key jockey switch. He races forward and can't be ruled out.
Race 3 (1280m) MDN
SHERMAN (10) drew wide and was only beaten 1.8L here 14 days ago behind the fancied Peak Contributor. Was even better missing a lip here three runs ago when he used the low barrier. Draws to advantage today and finds the right race. INVETERATE finally found his best beaten 1.5L at Forbes from the front. He can potentially get a soft lead today and is a threat holding the form. PROPHET TIME came home hard to place in the Sherman race and is busting to break through. Has the outside barrier but is a winning chance if things work out. STONE LIZZIE (11) has the rail and can box-seat Returned in good order at Wagga and has more up the sleeve. SEEYA LATER GATER settled last and got busy late here a month ago finding one too good. This looks touch harder but has to be considered with the extra fitness.
Race 4 (1080m) MDN SW
WAL'S ANGELS (12) resumes for the sharp Nick Olive yard. Made an impression when narrowly beaten in a Wagga Open 2 on debut and then was spelled after settling too far back in the rich Wellington Boot. They obviously have an opinion and he looked good in his recent Goulburn trial. Owen sticks and he can sit just behind the speed from an inside gate. COMB OVER CON has switched from a metro barn on a 74-day return. His last three starts have been on the Ballarat synthetic, and he was just nudged twice. He's a leader well-suited and Penza's booking suggests they mean business. RUBIROSSA (10) debuts and is in good hands. Had a soft trial at Goulburn and that's proved a good form reference. DAICOS switched from a metro yard and looked a run short on resumption. The near miss at Cranbourne three-back more than stacks HALF MOON could be the smokey. Looked good the first preparation and ran favourite first up for the new barn. Gets the blinkers and a low gate and keeps Krogh.
Race 5 (1280m) BM55
A good contest. CALMER KARMA led as an equal favourite here a month ago and maintained a clear margin over the promising Missile Leader. And he went on to win easily here 14 days ago as a $1.45 favourite. Calmer Kama had to be used up early which added merit. Penza is a key jockey switch, and he is sure to take catching. CHASING A QUID comes out of the same race and fought on to place. Peaks now and the rails barrier should advantage. KNUCKLE WARRIOR wasn't beaten far here twice before delivering at 58 level at Moruya. Has an awkward gate but keeps Ward and the Dryden yard is hard to risk at home. STARLIV is hard to catch but was only beaten 1L here three-back in a Federal at 70 level. Just missed after and forget the latest on a heavy track. Heywood is a positive jockey switch for the apprentice.
Race 6 (1900m) BM70
SHE'S ALL IN will use the rail and has a handy 7lbs claim. Just missed in a country Open off the big 70 win here prior at 1 1⁄16 m. That's good form this and using the rail she'll take beating. DASHING ELGEE improved again walloping a CL1 field here by 3.8L over 1 1⁄16 m. Picked up impressively and gets in light in this grade with the 7lbs claim atop. In good local hands and he can go on with CALL ME ARTIE has been around the mark in country NSW and his figures stack right he can secure the run of the race from an inside barrier and Penza's booking is a positive lead. SHAFTY came off three runs in town and demolished the 65 graders here two weeks ago. The low barrier should prove an advantage and the in-form Owen stays aboard. Hard to knock. BRINGBACKTHEBEARS was a big drifter in the same race and placed second beaten 2.3L. Didn't have the best of it and is in the mix.
Race 7 (1206m) BM70
A terrific race. HEART OF VANCOUVER (10) peaks and is busting to win. Has been narrowly beaten her last two in easier grade off the place here first-up. Impressed the latest and tipping he will see the longer sprint right out. Has weight relief and that brings him right into DEVINE MISS came hard to win the 65 here comfortably and has a low draw and a handy 7lbs claim. In sharp local hands and is a chance to go INVERTATIONAL resumes and has shown enough to say she can be very competitive. Has won fresh and is well graded. Has a 7lbs claim and is looking to make it 5/8. SAIKO (12) finds harder but missed a nose at her only start on the new Acton surface and rates well off a narrow defeat at Moruya his latest. Has the winkers again and drops 5.5ks. Keep safe.