Race 1
Race Summary: Sparingly raced TRAIL RUNNER returns from a 15-week absence and remains open to improvement in just her 7th appearance but she has already shown enough to play a leading role in this lineup. Stable companion FLIGHTLIGHT, SAVARA'S PRINCESS, PLEIADES STAR and WINTER WEDDING have the means to acquit themselves competitively. However, it will probably pay to follow the progress of BABETTE'S FEAST who, on the evidence of her fast-finishing and eye-catching 3rd over 1600m last time, will have more to offer stretching out to this trip.
Selections:
#11 Babette's Feast, #1 Trail Runner, #6 Winter Wedding, #5 Pleiades Star
Race 2
Race Summary: Hard race to assess, as 4 of the 8 runners are carded to run at an earlier meeting. Hard-knocker EIGER SANCTION is proven at this level and will likely acquit himself competitively over a track and trip that suits. Recent Vaal winner PAGE BOY, his last-start conqueror (7 days ago) FOLLOW THE MASTER, and runner-up that day OLYMPIAN GOLD also have the means to play leading roles - their participation has to be monitored. ROBERT BROWNING has found his niche with this headgear fitted, winning twice. He won well last time and a 5-point penalty isn't likely to halt his momentum.
Selections:
#2 Robert Browning, #1 Eiger Sanction, #7 Olympian Gold, #5 Follow The Master
Race 3
Race Summary: COUNCILLOR improved after an introductory outing to finish a staying-on second over track and trip last time out. With further progress expected and benefit of a sex allowance, she could prove hard to beat. GAVIUS MAXIMUS and KAVOMOLKA have improved with each outing and are likely to pose the biggest threat. Of the remainder, NARETOI and HEROIC ACT have the form and experience to fill the Quartet positions. Well-bred GONNA CATCH YOU could show more stretching out to this distance.
Selections:
#10 Councillor, #4 Kavomolka, #3 Gavius Maximus, #1 Naretoi
Race 4
Race Summary: ANAHITA confirmed the promise of her 1450m debut third when collared late over 1400m last time out. On pedigree, the step up to this distance should unlock improvement so she's good value to open her account. Well-bred KORCULA fits a similar profile, but she jumps from the widest gate. FRANGIPANI and BLOOD OF EDEN were outrun late over shorter trips by their recent conquerors and they ought to remain competitive over this extended distance. ONCEINABLUEMOON and FLYING WORLD aren't taken lightly either, as both are bred to improve stretching out to 1800m.
Selections:
#8 Anahita, #2 Frangipani, #3 Korcula, #1 Blood Of Eden
Race 5
Race Summary: STREISAND acquitted herself well at a higher level last time and she should play a role in the outcome if repeating that performance in this grade off an unchanged mark. FUTURE DATE, KISSING MACHINE and AZALEAS FOR ALL showed their form and well-being at this level recently, and they should remain competitive off their current ratings. However, a chance is taken on recent hat-trick scorer HAZY DAZY making sufficient progress to defy the step up in class and five-point penalty. She gets weight from her older rivals and benefits from apprentice Trent Mayhew's 1.5kg allowance.
Selections:
#6 Hazy Dazy, #4 Kissing Machine, #3 Future Date, #1 Streisand
Race 6
Race Summary: Debut winner DRUMNADROCHIT and well-bred last-start maiden scorer ONETWOBUCKLEMYSHOE are promising 3yo fillies open to any amount of improvement over this extended trip after recent 1600m wins on this track. MATCHA MINT, LITTLEMISSSPLENDID and REJUVENATE also have scope for improvement and could get into the picture. Hat-trick seeking NKWENKWEZI isn't underestimated despite top weight.
Selections:
#7 Onetwobucklemyshoe, #3 Drumnadrochit, #5 Matcha Mint, #1 Nkwenkwezi
Race 7
Race Summary: PALACE ATTACK and FRERE JACQUES lost little in defeat in their first post-maiden appearances, and the latter's course-and-distance experience will stand him in good stead. However, the well-related former is expected to improve for the step up to this distance, so he edges the vote. OMBUDSMAN, UNSOLVED RIDDLE and COMING IN HOT are hard-knockers capable of making their presence felt.
Selections:
#6 Palace Attack, #7 Frere Jacques, #2 Ombudsman, #5 Unsolved Riddle
Race 8
Race Summary: CHABAL was backed at long odds when capitalising on a drop in the ratings and the five-point penalty for that win is negated by his rider's 2.5kg apprentice allowance. However, he is engaged to run at an earlier meeting. PEACE TREATY did likewise when finishing an eye-catching second last time over 1800m, so the ease in grade and extended trip should be to his liking. Cases could be made for hard-knockers HAT FURIOUS, BOB LEE SWAGGER and THE MERCIFUL too.
Selections:
#2 Peace Treaty, #1 Chabal, #9 Hat Furious, #8 Bob Lee Swagger
Best Win: #8 ANAHITA
Best Value Bet: #2 PEACE TREATY
Best Longshot: #2 PEACE TREATY
