5.30am Race 1: Smiling Face @ EVS
Race 1 on the card and hopefully off to a good start. Smiling Face ran an incredible race on debut when you consider the trouble he had going down to the start before rearing when loaded into the stalls and seeming to get caught up. So all in all not a good experience. Removed and passed by the vet, that would have taken a lot out if him so finishing second was impressive.
He finished in front of Changeng Prince in that race and if he can learn from experience and relax he can win here with top jockey Joao Moreira in the saddle. Super Ten makes his debut and could be the main danger so note any market moves.
6am Race 2: Demons Rock @ 11/4
Class 5 race and Demons Rock has really caught the eye recently. While he is winless to date his form is much better than that suggests and has finished second in his last two starts. Very unlucky latest he got stopped in running on a couple of occasions and when he eventually got a run it was no surprise to see him weaken slightly. He is more than capable of winning a Class 5.
Grand Harbour on best form is a danger kept wide latest a line can be drawn through that form and jockeys claim will help here, so a big run can he expected.
6.30am Race 3: Eagle Way @ 7/2
Eagle Way ran an a blinder in last weekend’s big race QEII Cup when finishing third. Calmer waters in this Group 3 for the seven year old and is Zac Burton’s best ride on the card. Trainer-jockey combo will expect a win.
Helene Leadingstar is looking for his third consecutive win and no reason to suggest he cant succeed here and is a former Group 1 winner down under. Will certainly be finishing faster than most. Savvy Nine gets in light in the weights and has the magic man in the saddle so obvious danger.
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8.35am Race 7: Galactic (NAP) 5/2
Class 4 handicap over 1600m and Galactic gets the NAP vote on the card. Lightly raced 3 year old with just the two runs. Minded on debut ran a cracking race last time when finishing third. A potential Group horse in the making – if he is to live up to expectations he needs to win here and Joao Moreiro has been booked.
Enjoy Life finished like a train last time and can make the frame again but it’s all about Galactic here. Get on folks.
9.35am Race 9: Golden Four @ 11/2
Golden Four is in flying form with a win and two seconds in his last five starts and with a big field here is the best drawn horse on the card. He can dictate from the start and if Neil Callan can get the margins right he can go in again.
Party Genius was backed like there was no tomorrow latest and in fairness was very unlucky in running and finished second. My heart went out to punters then and with a bit of luck in running here is a real danger. It looks between the two but slight preference goes to Golden Four.
- All prices correct at time of publishing.
- All race times DST
BET SUMMARY:
- 5.30am Race 1: Smiling Face @ EVS
- 6am Race 2: Demons Rock @ 11/4
- 6.30am Race 3: Eagle Way @ 7/2
- 8.35am Race 7: Galactic (NAP) @ 5/2
- 9.35am Race 9: Golden Four @ 11/2
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