Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Race 1: MIDWAY HANDICAP (1800M)
10. Proxima Dea is the least experienced horse in the race but she’s also the most promising. Both her wins have been on the narrow side but there was a lot more merit in her victory against older horses, three of them, at Gosford last time. Plummets in weight, puts herself in her races and with a bit of speed drawn outside her could easily land in a position that will make her hard to beat. 3. Doradus ran them off their feet when scoring an easy Canterbury win second-up and with the draw you’d imagine he’ll be heading for the top again. If he gets control and leaves them flat-footed it’ll be dangerous. 7. Lugarno is a stablemate of Doradus and he’s due to hit some form. Nice weight drop in his favour on the second-up run at Hawkesbury, where he was a shade below par, and that gives him the chance to improve. 1. Federal Reserve comes back to midway grade after an upset second-up win at Canterbury. Lightly raced and worth including in the chances.
How to play it: Proxima Dea to win.
Race 2: BUY YOUR KOSCIUSZKO TICKETS AT TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1400M)
5. Xtreme hit the front a fair way out in his highway debut a couple of weeks ago and was cut down by a swooper. He didn’t exactly get away from them when he did strike the lead but was always holding them and looked strong on the line. Drawn nicely, back to a class 2 and a repeat will see him competitive again. 4. Whateley chased home Portofino in a 1500m highway in June so was a gap between runs and back 200m into the same race. He had his chance but battled on okay. Each-way hope with the benefit of that run. 8. Giddy Up Griff is an interesting runner coming into this at his fourth start and with a couple of wins at Quirindi as favourite under the belt. Drawn well. Keep in mind. 13. Lovecats backs up after running into third in an 1100m highway last weekend where she was supported into equal favourite. Jumps in trip but sure to be running on again.
How to play it: Xtreme to win.
Race 3: MERRYLANDS RSL HANDICAP (2000M)
3. Aethelwulf is going to start a short priced favourite and that’s not surprising given the margins he’s been putting on his opposition as he’s coming through the grades. Sent out $1.26 when cruising in at Canterbury this month and 2000m looks to suit him better. It’s not hard to have him on top, he does appear a very nice stayer in the making. 7. Appeared falls under the same category though he’s less exposed to date. Found a flat spot first-up at Newcastle before powering over the top to win. He’ll continue to improve and is worth watching. 6. Anthracite has started to hit form for the new stable and he backs up after a solid third behind King Of The Sea last week at the mile. Would be no shock to see him win one shortly, may have bumped into one that’s quite progressive. 5. Kenmare Bay was probably expected to do a little bit more last time when up to 1900m, he ran on but didn’t feature in the top four. Maybe wants it a bit wetter than it will be but 2000m really suits.
How to play it: Aethelwulf to win.
Race 4: MOUNTIES GROUP HANDICAP (1500M)
4. Scripted hasn’t been a punter’s pal of late but she rarely puts in a bad one and there’s a good chance she can get some on pace favours in a race lacking a leader. She worked home well beaten two lengths when resuming at 1200m but up in trip expect her to be a lot closer, in the top three at worst, and she might be able to get away with one. 5. Avista showed when she ran down Mind Ya Bizz four weeks ago that she possesses a sharp turn of foot. Same weight after the claim and back to 1500m suits. She’s going to be hard to hold out. 6. Transcend lost on protest a couple of weeks ago after she became a bit wayward late when looming to win. Another interesting gear change with the visors joining the ear muffs. She’ll get back you’d imagine and if she goes straight this time she can be in the finish. 1. Beside The Ocean was an eye-catcher when resuming at 1100m two weeks ago, it’s just the jump in distance that is the query.
How to play it: Scripted to win.
Race 5: BANKSTOWN SPORTS HANDICAP (1500M)
2. Mr Miller is set to be another short priced favourite coming up in class. Justified the $1.28 when resuming to post an easy Warwick Farm win and that extra 100m is in his favour. Can only see him getting a lovely run again, he’ll be fitter and his form around Nobler when unlucky last time looks good. 3. Puntin has found his form with a couple of bold efforts at Randwick and he’ll be backing up after bumping into a handy one in King Of The Sea last week. He’ll do his thing up front and give them something to run down. 6. Cuban Cigar is in great form and gave Attractiveness a bit of a scare second-up over this course. More depth here but a good each-way hope. 12. Engine Room is more than capable and has a better set up than last time when he went back from a wide gate and wound up two lengths off the winner. Best form sees him as an upset chance.
How To Play It: Mr Miller to win.
Race 6: CAMPBELLTOWN CATHOLIC CLUB HANDICAP (1100M)
7. Street Artist couldn’t have been missed as he charged through to run a close third behind Polyglot two weeks ago. He’ll be faced with a similar task from the wide gate but against that there does appear to be some generous speed engaged. It’s going to take a good ride and things to fall into place but if they do, he’ll go close. 1. She’s An Artist is a big query runner and betting will be a good pointer. She’s started a short price in just about all her starts in Victoria for three wins and three placings. Respect. 4. Kimberley Secrets will put herself on the speed from an inside alley. She was game two starts ago when run down late then drew the outside and stuck on well behind Polyglot. Well worth another chance. 14. Zumbo was due to resume a few weeks ago but was scratched at the barriers and went back to the trials. She has ability, goes well fresh and gets in with a light weight.
How To Play It: Street Artist WIN.
Race 7: CANTERBURY-HURLSTONE PARK RSL UP AND COMING STAKES (1300M)
9. Savagram must take the leap from a Canterbury maiden to a group 3 but only two of his rivals are stakes winners so that’s a big deal. Couldn’t have been more impressive in that debut win where he landed in front and showed a good dash around the turn, holding a good margin on the line. On the limit, drawn to be prominent or lead if desired, he can measure up. 10. Genesis Runner showed plenty of promise winning at Newcastle in June by a widening margin. Another that has a step to take but keeping him very safe. 6. Plagiarism will be fitter for the run when placed behind Steel Will in ordinary conditions two weeks ago. Down 5kg and while he is a maiden he’s sure to be a major player. 3. Southend was a group 3 winner at 1400m in the autumn and he’s been trialling well leading into a return. Likely has to go back from the gate but sure to be running on.
How To Play It: Savagram to win.
Race 8: SMITHFIELD RSL SAN DOMENICO STAKES (1100M)
It might not be his grand final but there’s definitely a scenario where 1. Guest House can return a winner and it comes down to what early pressure there is. He’s the Golden Slipper winner and his two trials leading in have been more than acceptable. No doubt he will improve with the run but if he’s within a few lengths on the turn he could run over the top. 4. Warwoven just had the bob in his favour when they met at the trials a couple of weeks ago. It’ll be interesting to see whether they go forward, like he normally does, or back from the wide barrier but he is without blinkers so perhaps back is the go. Check the market, he did start $8.50 in the Slipper, he’s dangerous. 6. Blue Door led them up in the Rosebud and was run down by Chilly Girl. It does appear that she lands on the front from that inside gate, the question is whether any pressure is applied and whether there’s any improvement. 8. Wild Atlantic has looked promising at the trials and makes his debut in a solid race so if he’s able to win he’d be well above average.
How To Play It: Guest House to win.
Race 9: WESTS GROUP MACARTHUR HANDICAP (1500M)
If the same 7. Althoff turns up that we saw a couple of weeks ago it would be hard to see him being beaten. He did enjoy a nice run with a light weight but put them away so quickly and this is certainly no harder. Has that outside gate but it’s a kind starting point and not a big field. Only third-up so should be close to peaking. The one to beat. 3. Fully Lit will be a lot fitter for running third in the same race and gets a 2kg turnaround in his favour. He has the gate speed to lead or be right up there and if that’s an advantage he can take some catching. 1. Run Harry Run was able to come off the canvas and score over this track and trip some four weeks ago and the runner-up has since won. Kept ticking over with a jump out win and sure to be competitive. 10. Rolling Magic should be able to come across from near the outside and he led them when fourth behind Althoff second-up. He was a month between runs so a bit fitter.
How To Play It: Althoff to win.
Race 10: CLUBSNSW HANDICAP (1200M)
2. Grand Impact has a win in him very soon and it could come his way now. He was excellent chasing Roselyn’s Star home first-up then again when narrowly beaten by Eagle Express two weeks ago. Sure to be close to his top after those two runs from a year off and the race looks to set up well for him. Chance to capitalise. 9. Photograph is a bit of a market watch first-up off a jump out win at Flemington a couple of weeks ago. Has a handy record and is worth keeping an eye on. 12. Amazing Eagle had a form upgrade when Prima Bella won a group 3 last week. She did run on well there when favourite against her at 1000m and down in the weights if he can get a strong 1200m these days he’s a definite chance. 3. Romeo’s Choice looks better suited back to 1200m from a nice gate after he didn’t fire behind Althoff. Previous form was consistent enough and he can run a cheeky race.
How To Play It: Grand Impact to win.
Supplied by Racing NSW
