Overview: The Kiwi galloper CODIGO looks promising. He won his maiden in fine style before leaping to Listed grade and proving too strong in the run home at Trentham. Has been gelded since and will put himself on speed. Big danger here. SUNSOURCE was a total forgive run in the Magic Millions after a few things went wrong. He has been super stylish in two jumpout wins and is ready to go first-up. STEPARTY looks a big, strong individual who won with ease on debut at Ballarat and will be further improved. PEROVIC won a recent jumpout in good fashion.
Overview: The Kiwi galloper CODIGO looks promising. He won his maiden in fine style before leaping to Listed grade and proving too strong in the run home at Trentham. Has been gelded since and will put himself on speed. Big danger here. SUNSOURCE was a total forgive run in the Magic Millions after a few things went wrong. He has been super stylish in two jumpout wins and is ready to go first-up. STEPARTY looks a big, strong individual who won with ease on debut at Ballarat and will be further improved. PEROVIC won a recent jumpout in good fashion.
Suggested bet: Codigo to win.
RACE 2:
Overview: I’m prepared to gamble on HOPEFUL returning to his best form here. This time last year he was placed in the Hawkesbury Cup and won the Lord Mayors Cup at Rosehill. He has failed in those two races this year in returning from a spell but his last effort was sound enough when he was in the mix with 250m to go but just weakened late. Will welcome drop in class, is fitter now and draws to get the run of the race. TEOFILO STAR has won his last two hurdle starts by big spaces. This is certainly tougher but he will lead, is rock hard fit and he could take running down at odds. NEVER AGAIN got home well behind Mimi’s Award two weeks back and has no weight after the claim. SWORDS DRAWN was placed in the Roy Higgins three starts back and that reads well for this.
Suggested bet: Hopeful each way.
RACE 3:
Overview: TICK TOCK LADY is only lightly-raced but she has talent and is improving all the time. She was stuck out three-wide facing the breeze the entire trip and loomed up to win 150m out but just wilted late behind Party For One here three weeks back. She is at her peak now, draws well and meets that horse 2kg better. Good each-way chance. No doubt PARTY FOR ONE is the danger despite rising in weight here and drawing awkwardly. She was quite dominant in that win. DAZZLING LUCY is very consistent and close to a win. FORTUNATE KISS was solid behind Party For One but won’t want it too wet.
Suggested bet: Tick Tock Lady each way.
Tick Tock Lady is ready to peak and looks great value in race 3. Picture: Getty Images
RACE 4:
Overview: Looks a good race for the progressive LEGIO TEN. He was gelded before resuming at Bendigo and swooping late to win running away. He clocked second fastest 400-200 split of the meeting and was eased down on the line. Second horse Setteveli has since won to frank the form. Carries 7kg less in this harder race and will be the one steaming home. MIDTOWN BOSS hit the line strongly behind Airman down the straight here last start and all the better for that run. Likewise WHO DARES, who was in the same race and finished alongside Midtown Boss. MAMBO DANCER was an easy maiden winner on debut and can measure up.
Suggested bet: Legio Ten to win.
RACE 5:
Overview: SON OF SOLLY is only lightly raced but he keeps on showing up every time the bar is raised. He was five weeks between runs when he beat all but First Immortal over this t/d two weeks back. He meets that horse 5kg better this time around after the claim. Draws perfectly to get a similar run and will be at his peak. MY BROTHERS KEEPER has been steadily finding his best and liked his effort in the same First Immortal race. Looks ready now. VERIFIER is still a maiden but he came home in race fastest last 200m split behind First Immortal and hard to beat here. RESERVOIR DOG was okay in the SA Derby last start and this class suits.
Suggested bet: Son Of Solly to win.
RACE 6:
Overview: I’m a PRIVATE JUMBO fan. He may not be a superstar but he is a real little trier and this looks a good race for him. No luck getting clear galloping room until the bird had flown and still chased hard behind Euphoric here three weeks back. He has drawn a little awkwardly here but he’s race fit, will put himself behind speed and just needs a bit of luck to go his way. GREY RIVER takes on the boys here after a fighting second behind Snapped in G3 level in Adelaide when nabbed on the line. Has her share of weight but she has drawn perfectly to get the gun run. No doubt SWEETENED should have finished much closer last start. Likewise LOUNGE BAR RUBI.
Suggested bet: Private Jumbo each way. Also take 1,4,8,11,14 in trifectas/first fours.
It’sourtime, ridden by Michael Dee, wins the Straight Six at Flemington.
RACE 7:
Overview: SHAIYHAR is an imported stayer who won two of three in France before gelded and debuting here with an eye-catching effort behind Altivo three weeks back. Step up in distance ideal, drops 3kg and looks highly talented. SILENT SURRENTE beat home subsequent winner First Immortal easily and then bolted in at Morphettville in the wet. Drawn to get the gun run. AZALY gave weight to Silent Surrente and beat her easily before winning with style at Ballarat. Big chance again. BLUE CUP was very good first-up and better placed with the extra trip here.
Suggested bet: Shaiyhar to win.
RACE 8:
Overview: IT’SOURTIME was super impressive winning down the straight in Listed grade here three weeks ago and is right at his top now. Only start this t/d, he was beaten a head by Looks Like Elvis. Drawn perfectly to get a gun run and will be hard to stop. CROSSHAVEN doesn’t win many but he is always thereabouts and suited again with the claim. Drawn to get a similar run as he did when just beaten here last start. KING MAGNUS goes up in weight after beating Crosshaven but he also strips much fitter. JIMMY THE BEAR was good behind It’sourtime and has a great record this trip and also this track and distance.
Suggested bet: It’sourtime to win.
RACE 9:
Overview: TREPORTI hasn’t raced for nine weeks but he has had two jumpouts, the latest a very soft hit-out indeed. He was beaten by the very smart Star Patrol down this t/d last year and was favourite behind Snapper here during the Cup carnival. Like the fact he’s drawn grandstand side and the claim helps. ALONG THE RIVER is the best roughie. Was doing good work late behind Sigh this course and trip last start and ready to peak. SENEGALIA is a winner this course and distance. DAILY BUGLE can hit the line hard late.
Suggested bet: Treporti to win.
BEST BET:
Race 4 No. 9: LEGIO TEN
BEST VALUE
Race 6 No. 8: PRIVATE JUMBO