Race 1
Race Summary: The form of this almost hot race could be worth following. PLEASE BE TRUE and ARCTIC WIZARD made encouraging introductions and should improve with that experience to count on. LATE DECEMBER has acquitted himself competitively in each start and should make his presence felt again. MYSTIC MAJESTY could also get involved if building on the improvement shown last time. Newcomers RIVER HAWK, EMPIRE STATE, DUBBELOSIX, KING'S QUEST and WORLD SOPRANO are attractively bred and must be monitored in the betting exchanges - follow the market.
Selections:
#9 Arctic Wizard, #4 Please Be True, #12 Late December, #8 King's Quest
Race 2
Race Summary: CUMBRE VIEJA and SOUND OF THE SEA will be competitive for the leading positions given their form, experience, and the likelihood of improvement over this extended trip. However, the latter has a bit to find on LANDOFTHERISINGSUN who caught the eye with a fast-finishing third over 1400m last time and should, on the evidence of that display, have even more to offer over this distance. GNARLY ought to fare better against this (maiden) opposition, having contested a 2yo feature last time. WOOD WORLD and RED DAWN complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#8 Landoftherisingsun, #9 Sound Of The Sea, #10 Cumbre Vieja, #11 Red Dawn
Race 3
Race Summary: SAHARA CAT lost little in defeat when third in a 1500m Listed race and this shorter trip will be more to her liking. POLYNOMIAL caught the eye when winning on debut over course and distance, so can't be underestimated with improvement on the cards. IN THE GREEN ZONE and MARITZBURG MEMORY have the form and experience to make their presence felt too, while well-bred ARTISTE shouldn't be hastily condemned after a disappointing but excusable performance in a course-and-distance Listed race against male opposition.
Selections:
#6 Sahara Cat, #5 Polynomial, #7 Artiste, #2 In The Green Zone
Race 4
Race Summary: LOOK FORWARD reverts to the maidens after a freshen-up following a disappointing last start. She did, however, acquit herself well against winners in back-to-back previous outings, so is capable of getting involved. JET GREEN and PINK MOON have the ability to be competitive in this line-up, though are vulnerable to unexposed rival CHAMPAGNE KISSES.
Selections:
#6 Champagne Kisses, #9 Pink Moon, #2 Look Forward, #13 United We Stand
Race 5
Race Summary: CHAMPONELLE was only outrun late when finishing third over this distance 2 starts back and a repeat of that front-running performance from gate 1 should see him fight for victory. AMANCIO finished a career-best second when last seen over this trip (in his penultimate outing) and his rider's 4kg claim is a big boost to his chances. Preference, however, is for GROOVEJET who improved for the step up to this distance last time and is good value to go one better with further progress on the cards. COSMIC RHYTHM and GOLDEN GREY appeal most of the remainder.
Selections:
#8 Groovejet, #3 Amancio, #1 Champonelle, #14 Golden Grey
Race 6
Race Summary: SOLAR POWER and CHOLLIMA have rediscovered their form since returning from lengthy absences. Both ought to remain competitive off unchanged marks. MAGIC VERSE, FIBONACCI and FUTURE TURN are capable of getting into the picture too, along with unexposed BLUE BAY who is open to improvement after 14 weeks off. Good race.
Selections:
#3 Chollima, #6 Solar Power, #1 Magic Verse, #9 Blue Bay
Race 7
Race Summary: Hard knocker TWICE THE MASTER deserves a reward for his consistency but is unfavourably treated by these conditions. Best-weighted HELIOTROPE fluffed her lines when last seen over this distance but is worth another chance, especially on these terms. MOHANDAS showed his form and well-being with a good third over track and trip last time, and will be a factor in the finish if repeating that performance. MISTER MONOCLE finished 2-lengths ahead of that rival and ought to confirm his superiority on these terms. FAIRE ADVANTAGE is an unknown quantity over this distance, so is one to keep an eye on.
Selections:
#4 Mister Monocle, #7 Twice The Master, #1 Heliotrope, #2 Mohandas
Race 8
Race Summary: SUGAR MOUNTAIN built on the encouragement of his 1400m Cape comeback with a fluent 1600m success last month and, given the manner of that performance, is good value to defy a 5-point penalty by following up off a career-high mark. RAPIDASH and SACHDEV are held on that form and unlikely to turn the tables on the same weight terms. Stablemate PACAYA is closely matched with the selection on the form of their 1800m meeting in the Grade 2 Premiers Trophy earlier this year, so should pose a threat. LOVE IS A ROSE is weighted to make her presence felt.
Selections:
#4 Pacaya, #6 Love Is A Rose, #3 Sachdev, #2 Rapidash
Race 9
Race Summary: AMONG THE CLOUDS stayed on well from a handy position to finish second over track and trip last time ahead of re-opposing rivals COULDITBE and LICKETY SPLIT in a similar contest - her first attempt over this distance - and is good value to confirm her superiority on these terms. PLUM PUDDING fluffed her lines on that occasion but remains open to improvement and, as such, shouldn't be written off. A bigger threat, however, could come from last-start winner KAMAKAZI who kept finding from the front when tried over 1600m last time, and she could have even more to offer over the extra 200m.
Selections:
#5 Among The Clouds, #2 Kamakazi, #8 Coulditbe, #1 Plum Pudding
Best Win: #6 SAHARA CAT
Best Value Bet: #10 FUTURE PRINCE
Best Longshot: #10 FUTURE PRINCE
