2. Malkovich reacted to be gelded by winning the Hawkesbury Rush first-up and it was a sign the gelding might see him go up a notch or two as a racehorse. It was his first fresh win too. So he can only be fitter and has only been penalised 0.5kg for the win. We know what we’ll get with Malkovich, he’ll look to lead and if he’s as controlled as he was first-up he will take running down again. 3. Quantico hasn’t raced for two months since contesting the G1 Canterbury Stakes and he held his ground okay beaten three lengths. Rushed home late under some riding into second behind Giga Kick in a trial and he does react well fresh. 5. Andermatt seemed to have his chance behind Malkovich at Hawkesbury and on the face of it he was a touch disappointing. Expect he will be ridden cold from the wider gate this time around and gets 2kg of assistance from that last clash.
7. Dehorned Unicorn enjoyed a nice preparation in the summer and it started with a win over 1100m at Rosehill.
How to play it: Malkovich to win.
Race 6 – 2PM SCONE RSL BENCHMARK 78 HCP (1700m)
17. Just A Jedi produced a very nice first-up run over an unsuitable trip on Anzac Day, despite the form guide saying ninth of 14. He was last on the turn and had some ducking and weaving to do but he was the one finishing full of running at the end of 1400m. He’ll be much better for that and steps closer to his comfort zone distance wise. Hoping from a nice soft draw he can be that bit closer in the run and that’ll give him a nice each-way chance. 5. Estadio Mestalla started favourite first up at Hawkesbury and bumped into Palmetto, who has since won The Coast just as easily. So that has to be decent form for dropping to a Benchmark 78. He does have a tricky draw but so long as he can find some cover he’ll be in the finish. 8. Unspoken caught the eye first-up then sent out as favourite at Hawkesbury three weeks ago and ran a patchy race. He looked gone around the turn then rallied late to pick up ground. The blinkers go on him so he’d be well worth forgiving one below par run.
How to play it: Just A Jedi E/W.
Race 7 – 2.35PM COOLMORE DENISE’S JOY STAKES (1100m)
16. Once Again My Girl has been thrown in the deep end, or deeper end at least, after two dominant wins from as many starts on her home track. She has to leap from C1 to Listed grade but this is the right sort of time to do it. And she has the home track advantage. It comes down to whether she does measure up, she’ll put herself in the race and if she’s good enough she’ll go close. 12. Ithadtobezou had excuses with a wide run in the G3 PJ Bell six weeks ago on a heavy track. Forgive that. Her form around Kazou previously isn’t bad and she’ll appreciate a firmer track. One to keep an eye on. 1. Portray has to come back from 1400 but she has the proven group form against her name after a game second behind Olentia in the G3 James Carr a month ago. Won first-up on a good track at 1100m and drawn to be prominent.
How to play it: Once Again My Girl to win.
Race 8 – 3.10PM SCONE EQUINE HOSPITAL LUSKIN STAR STAKES (1300m)
Local filly 9. Opal Ridge takes on some hard heads here but she’s a tough filly herself and if she produces her best she’s right in this. Dominant first-up at Rosehill against her own age then an enormous run in the PJ Bell after copping a decent mid-race check. Put in a head scratcher in the James Carr but still only beaten a couple. Home track, good ground, middle draw all point to her being a major player. 2. Oscar Zulu has a nice set up to run well fresh since a game effort in the Magic Millions Cup in January. Aside from an uncharacteristic showing in The Gone he’s hardly put a foot wrong and he should land in a trailing position not far off the speed. Respect. 5. Titanium Power will be fitter for his first-up effort in the Hawkesbury Rush where he wasn’t able to ride the speed. Going to 1300m with blinkers on should see him look to take it up early and if he gets any control he’s always hard to run down. 7. Waihaha Falls has a touch of class about him on his day and be bumped into a smart one in Vilana in the Hall Mark when runner-up.
How to play it: Opal Ridge to win.
Race 9 – 3.50PM EMIRATES PARK DARK JEWEL CLASSIC (1400m)
9. More Prophets hasn’t won for quite a while but she’s shown when she draws well she’s not too far away from the good mares. Showed that first and second-up this prep and was beaten under a length by Hope In Your Heart in that second run back. She’s drawn the car park in her past three and still produced some handy sectionals from impossible positions. With speed drawn outside her she can land in the first half or middle and if she gets a crack at them has the finish on her to cause trouble late. 1. Expat is a very good wet-tracker but both placings this time in have been on good ground, the latest a second in the Hawkesbury Crown, so it says she’s racing well for the new stable. She will roll forward as she always does and give a sight. 13. Short Shorts is another speedy mare and she was back 200m in trip when narrowly beaten by Flag Of Honour at Gosford last week. Had excuses in the Provincial-Midway Final but showed what she can do in the qualifying race at Kembla.
How to play it: More Prophets E/W.
Race 10 – 4.30PM MUSWELLBROOK FORD BENCHMARK 78 HCP (1100m)
3. With Your Blessing relies on a bit of luck having drawn the outside alley but on the last race of the carnival it might not be such a bad thing. He’s a consistent type and while his trial form shows rear finishes he’s been excellent in both of them. A big first-up winner last preparation and only needs a back to follow to have his chance to mow them down. 4. Soami raced quite well without winning last time in and he was only beaten 1.4 lengths by Think About It at the end of the prep. Looked well in his trial win at Kembla and should get the kind of run to allow him his chance.
1. Spiranac is a talented local mare and she did steam into third in this grade at Rosehill when resuming last time in. That was coming off a long break so she’ll likely be better for it and can hit the line strongly.
How to play it: With Your Blessing to win.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au