6. Sly Boots is going to appreciate getting away from the heavy tracks, so it illustrates how well he’s going to see him run second on a heavy at Wyong in the Cup Prelude two weeks ago where he was just run down by a handy one in Royal Supremacy. Has an excellent set-up here to be on the pace and should be very competitive. 1. Travolta has a 2kg turnaround in his favour for a narrow defeat at the hands of 3. Amusing, which just got the better of him late in a two-horse war down the straight two weeks ago. Both should be hard to beat if they can bring their form away from the heavy tracks. 11. Tazima is a lightly raced import on the way up, and he was dominant winning a benchmark 64 third up when out to 1800m. Skips a couple of grades here and drops a bit in weight. Would not surprise if he measures up.
How to play it: Sly Boots each way.
Race 6 – 2.40PM CANTERBURY HURLSTONE PARK RSL UP AND COMING STAKES (1300 METRES)
3. Grand Prairie is up and running and in good form. While he did get some weight off Skyhook in the Rosebud, he acquitted himself well against a classy galloper at his first stakes appearance. From an ideal draw, the 1300m should not be too much of an issue, and he has that solid race fitness on his side. Good chance in a race up for grabs. 2. Providence is one of those Chris Waller colts that showed a bit in his first prep and went to Brisbane to run well in the two-year-old features there. He trialled up quite well, and if he’s not looking for more ground at this stage, he’s a big threat. 1. Aerodrome hit the ground running winning his first two starts and he finished just behind Providence in the JJ Atkins before a break. Puts himself on the speed and gives himself every chance. 4. Sixties clearly loved the heavy ground in winning his maiden by seven lengths a couple of weeks ago. Has to step up now and perform on a drier track, but also has that race fitness edge.
How to play it: Grand Prairie to win.
Race 7 – 3.15PM MERRYLANDS RSL CLUB HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
10. Without Parallel has to step out of Highway company now, but it’s difficult not to be impressed with what she’s done to date, winning all four starts. She has the speed to make use of barrier two in a race that is potentially going to be strongly run, so that will test out her versatility. A drying track is no negative, and she’s in nicely with just 54kg. The one to beat and a realistic Kosciuszko prospect if she can win again. 6. Polyglot might have been that half a run short when he was runner-up to Mal Coupe two weeks ago. Looked like he was going to charge past them early in the straight, but was left a little flat before dashing again late. Would relish a strong tempo and is a threat if that unfolds. 3. Roselyn’s Star was excellent out of the same race at his first run for 16 months. He tracked wide and hit the lead at one point in the straight before the effort told. Nicer gate, fitter and drier track are all pluses. Right in the mix. 1. Cosmonova can’t be forgotten, especially if they do put the speed on. She’s waited out the wet tracks since running second to Cloudland in early July, which isn’t bad form to drop to a benchmark 78 with. Each-way chance.
How to play it: Without Parallel to win.
Race 8 – 3.50PM SMITHFIELD RSL SAN DOMENICO STAKES (1100 METRES)
This is a cracking edition of the San Domenico. 2. Rivellino had an excellent two-year-old season, beating the likes of Within The Law and Skyhook, before running well in the Slipper and the Sires. He showed he’s ready to go, trialling well behind Briasa at Canterbury recently, and don’t mind him jumping from gate one. He’ll be midfield or worse on the fence, and he has a great turn of foot, so if he’s come on into the new season, there’s no reason why he can’t be in the finish. 7. Raging Force has the fitness from his last run in early July where he completed the hat-trick with an easy win at Rosehill over the same trip. He sat off the pace there and sprinted clear. The form behind him isn’t particularly strong when you’re talking about a group 3, but he’s always shown promise and this is his chance to step up. 4. King Of Pop had no luck in the Slipper after drawing wide, but his other two-year-old form was excellent. He closed off his recent trial as you’d like to see, but the draw is a little sticky. He’s a definite chance. 5. Wodeton ran well in all the major two-year-old races in the autumn after an easy debut win, including his second in the Slipper. He’s been given three barrier trials leading into this, so fitness won’t be an issue, and he’s drawn to get that soft run. Gets his chance.
How to play it: Rivellino each way.
Race 9 – 4.30PM MOUNTIES GROUP HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
15. Our Gold Hope is well overdue for a change of luck and in a big field she’ll need her share, but there was more than enough merit in her first-up run to say she’s come back well and can improve. Barrier one played against her fresh and she only finished two lengths off War Eternal. If she can avoid being buried too far back behind horses looking for more ground and settle midfield or better, it’s a prime chance to show her best. 7. McHale has an excellent first-up record and managed to beat Gringotts fresh last time in, a year ago, before contesting the Epsom. He’s obviously had issues, but if all is in order, he’s capable of showing up. 13. Half Yours is being set for the Metropolitan, so this is short of his best, and from the draw, he does look under the odds. But can’t dismiss him as a chance because he is still lightly raced and if they do overdo it up front he will be strong late. 9. Grebeni will love an improving track, and while he’s better known second up, he can put himself somewhere in the finish fresh. An each-way chance and worth following up on if he does run well.
How to play it: Our Gold Hope each way.
Race 10 – 5.05PM CLUBSNSW HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
So many with convictions, or look unsuited for one reason or another. It’s a bit of a stab but 18. Tulsi is an interesting runner, now with Bjorn Baker. She did run a close second over the Rosehill 1200m fresh last time in and was respectable in a couple of mares stakes races after that. Worked to the line well in a recent trial and could be a good each-way chance. 15. Emirate showed some early promise and is coming off two starts in Brisbane during the winter carnival. He’s still an entire, the blinkers are on, he’s a trial winner leading in and perhaps that bit of extra fitness will be to his advantage. 16. Sergeant Major was a stakes winner at 1400m in the autumn and did run well behind Autumn Glow in the Darby Munro before that. Hard to take a lot of out his two trials where he wasn’t asked to compete. Drawn well and a big market watch. 6. Colourful Emperor is another big query having not raced for more than a year since leaving Hong Kong where he had a good record. Three trial wins spaced over a bit of time. Could make a case for a heap of them: 2. Disneck if he can stay in touch; 3. Lord Of Biscay should be running on; 10. Perfumist might like a drier track to name a few.
How to play it: Tulsi each way.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
