It won’t be a heavy 10 again, but 5. Kerguelen still has enough sting out of the track to be the horse to beat once again after a big win at Randwick, where he sat wide and was just the better wet tracker three weeks ago. Draws to get a perfect run with the speed engaged, and even if some of the speed comes out, he should still find a good stalking spot. 9. Catch The Glory is flying this preparation and converted two solid heavy track placings into a win on a soft 5, and a dominant one, two weeks back. She’ll do no work behind them again and is hard to ignore. 6. World Alliance likes to have the last shot at them in his races, and that’s the likely scenario for him fresh since chasing home Cigar Flick at Randwick just under two months ago. 7. Flying For Fun ran well against the likes of Autumn Glow and Enriched last time in and was runner-up at group 3 level before a spell. She’s raced largely on good tracks, so that’s a small query, but any improvement in the ground helps her out. 2. Fire Star comes right into play if the likes of Boston Rocks and Bonita Queen aren’t there.
How to play it: Kerguelen WIN
Race 6 – 2.50pm: CHANDON MING DYNASTY QUALITY (1400m)
6. Without Peer reacted really well to being ridden forward off a good gate at his second start, and he went within half a stride of nailing Ninja a month ago on a heavy track. Has a wider gate now, but a race that doesn’t look to have a high amount of speed, and he’s drawn just outside the likely leader. If he finds a spot, he’ll relish the trip and is a good each-way chance. 1. Autumn Boy has some raps on him from his two wins in June, where he scored on debut as a $51 chance, then backed it up with a Listed win as favourite in Queensland. He could be very smart, and he’ll get the chance to show it here. 8. Flying Orchid goes into the unknown category as he brings two soft wins at the provincials on wet tracks into his toughest test. Does look to let down quite well in his races, and it comes down to whether he’s ready for this company or not. 2. Grand Prairie has to stay in the mix. While he got the better of the interference to win the Up & Coming, he was still strongly to the line and backed up his game effort behind Skyhook on the heavy track.
How to play it: Without Peer EACH-WAY
Race 7 – 3.25pm: IRRESISTIBLE POOLS SHERACO STAKES (1200m)
2. Joliestar was the latest addition to the TAB Everest field this week, and she’s found a nice race to kick that campaign off in. The softer-than-expected track might make her a touch vulnerable, but it could work in her favour if they’re coming down the middle. As always, she’s trialled up nicely, she doesn’t run bad races and if she can get a reasonable gallop (unlike first-up last prep) she’ll be right there at the finish. 7. Lilac raced consistently without being noticed a whole lot against the likes of Lady Shenandoah back in the autumn, and she wound up her prep with an all-the-way win in the James Carr at 1400m. Probably bounces in front, if not just behind the lead, and while coming off one trial, it’s the right set-up for her to run well. 8. Gangsta Granny gave Autumn Glow a bit of a fright when they clashed in the Toy Show and can only be fitter for the run on what was testing ground. She probably lands on speed as well and can feature in the finish. 4. Ameena is an interesting runner; she’s only struck a wet track once and ran fairly, but that was at 1400m. All her best efforts so far have been at the 1200m or below, and she trialled up quite comfortably leading into this. 3. Manaal is worth another chance from a soft draw after being a shade disappointing first-up in Melbourne.
How to play it: Joliestar WIN
Race 8 – 4pm: YULONG RUN TO THE ROSE (1200m)
Outstanding contest. Can’t wait to see what 9. Tempted produces as a three-year-old. She was a bit stiff in the Golden Slipper and accounted for Savvy Hallie and Within The Law after that in an arrogant Percy Sykes win. Now with Ciaron Maher, she was trucking nicely in her recent trial, and while she hasn’t seen a wet track yet, her debut was on a soft 5. It’s the only real question mark as she looks like an elite type in the making. 3. Beiwacht was her former stablemate, and he had his first run for Chris Waller with a very brave third after racing wide in the San Domenico. He’s drawn to get a much smoother run this time, and he looks a big improver out of that race. 6. Skyhook was awesome when beating Grand Prairie in the Rosebud a month ago, and he’ll drop 3.5kg on that win. He trialled in the same heat as Tempted recently, so he’s ticking over, and if he turns up in the same mood, he can be a major player. 5. Raging Force is hard to fault with four wins on end now, and he has to just tick that 1200m box to be hard to beat again. His win in the San Domenico had plenty of merit, while he was on the fence he was kept working to hold his spot. Many other chances as well.
How to play it: Tempted WIN
Race 9 – 4.40pm: TOYOTA FORKLIFTS THEO MARKS STAKES (1300m)
5. Autumn Glow continues her rise through the grades, and things do look to have fallen into place well for her to make it six from six. She reacted well under some pressure to pick up when resuming at 1100m on the heavy ground last month, but her class shone through there. With only 12 runners, she should find a good spot from the middle gate, and if we’re back in the soft range, it’ll be even better conditions for her. Has to go on top. 8. General Salute was brilliant, winning the Star Kingdom back in April and was similarly eye-catching at only his second run since then when chasing home Lazzura at Randwick three weeks ago. Go well. 2. Pier enjoyed a fruitful winter in Brisbane; he was huge behind War Machine in the BTC Sprint, then an easy winner up to the mile. Hit the line nicely in his latest trial and handles all ground. Sure to run well with improvement to come. 12. Strait Acer has the talent on his day and he did find some form when runner-up in the Scone Cup before a break. Cruised to the line well to win his latest trial and an each-way chance on an improving track.
How to play it: Autumn Glow WIN
Race 10 – 5.15pm: ROSEHILL BOWLING CLUB HANDICAP (1500m)
6. Narbold looked all over a winner when he hit the front at Randwick three weeks back and was just outpointed at the end of the mile by Glad You Think So. Perhaps a bit of cover this time from barrier one might be his edge, the sting out is in his favour, and he’s just racing in career-best form. No reason he couldn’t go on with it. 5. Captain Furai did look to have his chance when a beaten favourite two weeks ago, but the softer ground would probably favour him a bit more. Should be right near the speed and in the finish again. 2. Cristal Clear led all the way to win that race in question, and he’s the likely leader again. Rises 1.5kg in the weights, and he’ll likely be prominent for a long way. If there’s an upset, it could be worth looking at 13. Justela. Not suited to leading last time, but her effort, albeit in a Midway, before that was a lot more like it. If she can run up to that showing then a place, or better, at odds is not out of the question.
How to play it: Narbold WIN
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au