Race 1
Race Summary: LEGAL COUNSEL finished behind PALACE GIFT (2kg better off) on debut but would have come on with that experience and on pedigree should be better suited to this extended trip. GOLDEN DESTINY ran well enough in 2 starts as a juvenile to warrant respect on his reappearance after a rest and gelding. MANEKI NEKO has been costly to follow but wouldn't be winning out of turn and may have more to offer over this distance. WATER DRAGON fits a similar profile and would've tightened up after a pleasing comeback. Watch newcomers HARUN AL-RASHID, KING CELTILLUS, ARIOVISTUS, AMAZING and ASINANTANGA.
Selections:
#12 Water Dragon, #5 Golden Destiny, #3 Asinantanga, #2 Legal Counsel
Race 2
Race Summary: POCKET DIAL tired late when finishing behind MY ONLY WEAKNESS from a wide draw over 1600m but is 0.5kg better off and could be better suited to this shorter trip. MIDWICKET would've come on since her pleasing introduction over 1000m and this extended distance the benefit of that experience stands her in good stead. TIMELINE finished slightly ahead of that rival last time and is 1kg better off from a favourable inside draw. Year-older TIME IN PARIS, returning SHEETS AND GOGGLES, and fitter, unexposed EXPEDITION SOUTH have shown enough in sprints to warrant respect trying this trip.
Selections:
#1 My Only Weakness, #7 Pocket Dial, #2 Timeline, #10 Midwicket
Race 3
Race Summary: Well-bred LITTLE SUZIE was slightly disappointing when 3rd over 1400m after an eye-catching debut 2nd over 1250m but the form of that race has worked out well (the winner has won again since) so it could pay to give her another chance, especially with the likelihood of improvement of this extended trip. FORGOTTEN SONG finished 2 lengths adrift of that rival and 1.75 lengths behind SANSA STARK over this track and trip last time. PRINCESS BEAUTIFUL has improved with each start (step up in trip) and ought to continue her progress over the extra 200m. LAVENDER BAY concedes weight but is respected.
Selections:
#11 Little Suzie, #1 Sansa Stark, #10 Lavender Bay, #5 Forgotten Song
Race 4
Race Summary: HAPPY DAYS improved in first-time blinkers to finish a close-up 2nd over track and trip last time, with stablemate WOOD WORLD a further 2.50 lengths adrift. However, he is engaged without the headgear which the latter will be fitted with for the first time. CONGRESSMAN renews rivalry on identical terms and should acquit himself competitively in his peak outing. COURTLY and COMMANDER GREEN could have more to offer over this extended distance so shouldn't be discounted. Open.
Selections:
#9 Happy Days, #3 Congressman, #6 Wood World, #4 Commander Green
Race 5
Race Summary: Tricky. VOORLOOPERTJIE, SAN PEDRO and GALLIC DREAM return from respective absences but aren't taken lightly, particularly the unexposed latter with Richard Fourie a notable jockey booking. OLIVER should remain competitive under a 5-point penalty and without headgear fitted. However, preference is for LINDBERGH who would've tightened up after an eye-catching 1600m comeback and been given relief from the handicapper. CHARLIE CROKER and MAGIC VERSE shouldn't be underestimated despite wide starting berths. DUMBLEDORE, ZOOMIE and rejuvenated TYRION LANNISTER could also have a say in the outcome.
Selections:
#4 Lindbergh, #5 Oliver, #12 Magic Verse, #13 Charlie Croker
Race 6
Race Summary: KNOCKOUT defied an alarming market drift to win a similar contest in her first start over 1400m and on the evidence of that last-to-first victory, a 6-point penalty shouldn't halt her momentum. SCHOOL POLICY and FUN ZONE are consistent performers weighted to get closer on these revised terms but a bigger threat could come from progressive CALLMEGETRIX who has a good record racing fresh and is ideally distance suited. HAMPSTEAD HEATH will be tested stepping up to this class but remains open to improvement, especially with blinkers fitted for the first time. WUGUG and FATAL GEM could also earn.
Selections:
#2 Knockout, #4 School Policy, #5 Callmegetrix, #7 Fun Zone
Race 7
Race Summary: Quality Listed Settlers Trophy renewal. Stablemates RAPIDASH and CALL TO UNITE produced career-best performances when winning their respective last starts over 1800m. Both earned 5-point penalties but should remain competitive for victory. PAS DE NOM impressed on his Cape Town return, overcoming a slow start to win going away over 1600m. He has won over 1900m so should make his presence felt over this extended trip with just 52kg on his back. LOVE IS A ROSE, NAVY STRENGTH and SACHDEV are better off at the weights with those last-start winners so aren't taken lightly. PONTE PIETRA is capable.
Selections:
#3 Rapidash, #2 Pas De Nom, #9 Love Is A Rose, #6 Call To Unite
Race 8
Race Summary: This represents a good opportunity for OZARK to recapture the winning thread. He has held his own in a higher grade off higher marks recently over further and ought to take advantage of the drop in class and his career-low mark, especially with his rider claiming a handy 1.5kg. Last-start winner NAUSHON and stablemate GOLDEN GREY (maiden) concede 6kg and 4kg respectively but could give the selection most to fear. UNSOLVED RIDDLE has rediscovered form and will make his presence felt if proving as effective over this extended trip, which he tries for the first time.
Selections:
#6 Ozark, #2 Naushon, #9 Unsolved Riddle, #5 Golden Grey
Race 9
Race Summary: TRES CHIC hasn't been beaten far in recent starts at this level but has dropped in the ratings to an attractive career-low mark she ought to make the most of. However, the same applies to LOVERS LANE, NILE THE BOSS and TRY ME so they should also acquit themselves competitively. Both UNITED WE STAND and SOLARTRIP ran improved races last time with headgear fitted and need only confirm that form/improvement to have a say in the outcome.
Selections:
#1 Tres Chic, #6 Solartrip, #8 Lovers Lane, #9 Nile The Boss
Race 10
Race Summary: Best-weighted NORDIC QUEST looked better than ever when trouncing her rivals over 1100m in June and, on the evidence of that impressive career-best performance, a 6-point penalty shouldn't prevent her from making a winning reappearance. Course-and-distance specialist BLUE HOLLY, capable LADY LOOK ALIKE and freshened ONI SAN are held on that form but weighted to pose more of a threat. THE CHARLESTON and MISS MARGUERITE are versatile performers who have won over this distance - they shouldn't be taken lightly off their current (reduced) marks. PORQUE TE VAS is also capable of getting involved.
Selections:
#4 Nordic Quest, #2 The Charleston, #10 Miss Marguerite, #8 Blue Holly
Best Win: #6 OZARK
Best Value Bet: #4 LINDBERGH
Best Longshot: #4 LINDBERGH
