Expected weather: Sunny 28°C
Expected track rating: GOOD4
Race 1 - 12:53PM THE ASSOCIATION OF GREAT CHINA PLATE (1000 METRES) – FULL FIELD
5. YOU AM I is a first starter from the astute Michael Lane stable. His two trials have been excellent for a second and third. He wanted to lay out in those trials but the lugging bit goes on for raceday to try and help him race more tractably.
6. CHANTILLY GIANT compounded last start on Saturday 10 December when punching into a strong headwind at Ascot. She would have improved since then and comes out of the powerful Simon Miller stable.
1. MY DEMI’s two starts so far have been good and suggest that there is a win around the corner. He's drawn well again and should be a challenger on what he's shown to date.
4. KENTOO trialled well recently and is prepared by Stephen Miller. He will run a good race.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 5-6-1-4
SUGGESTED BET: 5. You Am I - WIN
Race 2 - 1:33PM LUCKY ROOSTER MAIDEN (1200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
4. WHO'S THE GURU looks to have more upside than the rest of his rivals in this. From the Geoff Durrant and Jason Miller stable, the recent trial suggests that he should be hard to hold out.
13. MARTAHLIA is a lightly-raced five-year-old mare which is having only her third start. These maidens have been known to throw up rough results so don’t be surprised to see this improving mare run a nice race at big odds.
10. MAGGIE'S COMMAND comes into this race first up after a nice trial win. Is drawn well and that trial effort would have improved her for this.
1. AND SO AM I ran well for second last start at $101. He is still a maiden after 24 starts which is a concern but is worth a go at good each-way odds.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4-13-10-1
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Who’s The Guru - WIN
Race 3 - 2:13PM AMELIA PARK HANDICAP (1600 METRES) – FULL FIELD
5. ROYAL STAR is another talented three-year-old filly for Grant and Alana Williams. She has treated her rivals with contempt at her only two starts and she would have to be one of the best bets of the day.
8. FONTAINEBLEAU looked to be no chance in the run last start when well back in the field on straightening but she found a late burst and flew home to win impressively. That was only three-year-old maiden grade but the win was full of merit.
1. VEUVE DE VEGA will travel near the speed and could run into a hole again at a reasonable each-way price.
2. CLOAK AND DAGGER has been knocking on the door for a maiden win and finally got it last start when showing versatility to sit on the speed and draw away in the closing stages. He will get a soft run from barrier two and will be there in the finish if good enough. This is his first real test.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 5-8-1-2
SUGGESTED BET: 5. Royal Star – WIN & 8. Fontainebleau - PLACE
Race 4 - 2:50PM JAMES BOAG'S PREMIUM HANDICAP (2200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
4. PRESELECTION has been unlucky at her two most recent starts. With the speed from KIROV BOY, BOWL A DOOSRA and ELEVEN SECONDS, she should be able to get home over the top of that strong speed.
2. OUTLAW PETE was super in winning over 2150m last start. He really looked to appreciate getting out over the extended journey and was full of running at the end the trip. His second run over the longer distance will suit.
9. TOPPA DAWOZZA always runs an honest race no matter what the grade is. He gets another soft barrier here and should run another good race. Beware though, as his record suggests, he does not win out of turn so maybe just a place chance.
7. ELEVEN SECONDS was ultra-impressive last start when leading all of the way in dominating fashion. The word from the Gangemi camp is that he is a serious horse and will only improve out to 2200m. He has some other speedy types to contend with, which will make his job harder, but he could not have been won easier last start.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4-2-9-7
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Preselection - WIN
Race 5 - 3:25PM AUTO CLASSIC BMW TROPHY (1200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
1. GEE BOSS is a serious galloper which has drawn well in barrier five. The claim down to 57.5kg suits. The one-week backup suggests that he has done well during the week and will be the one to beat.
2. RAGAZZO D'ORO is another very good three-year-old. He has drawn sticky in barrier 10 so will have to go back and try to run on. The son of Medaglia D'oro will get better over more ground though. Potentially a Derby?
10. SALORSCI showed super ability on debut when winning a maiden by four lengths at Bunbury. This is a big step up in class but the time recorded for that win was very sharp. A serious contender.
5. PRECIOUS MEMORIES comes into this race fresh after finally breaking through for her maiden victory last start at Pinjarra in three-year-old set weights and penalties grade. She's Listed-placed and has a stack of ability but will be tested from barrier nine.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 1-2-10-5
SUGGESTED BET: 1. Gee Boss – WIN & 5. Precious Memories - PLACE
Race 6 - 4:05PM AUSTRALIAN CHINESE TIMES HANDICAP (1100 METRES) – FULL FIELD
7. THREE VOTES was devastating last time out over 1000m when leading all of the way to win by over five lengths. There does look to be a lot speed in the race but, having drawn barrier two, jockey Jarrad Noske has the option to push forward or take a sit just off them. One of the better bets on the card.
8. RED PADDY was really good last start behind Bombs Away. He has drawn poorly again but, with the speed expected, he should be getting home late from back in the field. The son of O'Reilly is yet to run a poor race this preparation.
10. CUANZO didn't have too many excuses last start over 1000m. Back to 1100m, the same distance he won impressively over two starts ago, may be the factor that gets him over the line. The aforementioned speed will suit this galloper.
3. IT'S IT was scratched from last week's Listed Scenic Blast Stakes for this race. He was heavily considered for that tough assignment so has to be respected first up here.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 7-8-10-3
SUGGESTED BET: 7. Three Votes – WIN & 10. Cuanzo – EACH WAY
Race 7 - 4:42PM GET THE TABTOUCH HANDICAP (1200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
4. REAL ICON will be fitter after two solid runs this preparation. He should be close enough from barrier two and Aaron Mitchell's 1.5kg claim could well prove to be the difference.
3. PATRIMONIO has drawn inside of REAL ICON and should box seat on the rail. The verdict is still out on whether he is just a fresh horse but he has run well second up previously. This run will prove whether he has come back as a serious mature horse or not.
2. KEY TO FAME will roll to the front and set the speed. Senior jockey Peter Knuckey goes on and should get to the lead cheaply. Back to 1200m from 1400m should be seen as a positive.
12. WICKED HUNTER has a wide gate to contend with and will be hoping for a rolling tempo in front. If he gets that, he should be able to run on from the back of the field.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4-3-2-12
SUGGESTED BET: 12. Wicked Hunter – EACH WAY
Race 8 - 5:20PM FIFTH LEG HANDICAP (1500 METRES) – FULL FIELD
6. FIRST AFFAIR won very impressively last start on a day where it was hard to make up ground from back in the field. This small mare has a big heart and always tries her hardest. From the good draw, she'll settle closer and is able to run away from her rivals.
5. SHADY GRAY has drawn very awkwardly but is the best runner in the field. Aaron Mitchell will have to go back and ride for luck but he will be guaranteed a genuine tempo with the capacity field.
11. PRYING TOM is a lightly raced galloper and comes into this 1500m affair without a trial but just trust that Sharon Miller has the gelding fit. He showed good ability last preparation and, with any amount of improvement, can run well in this.
14. KING OF WU will be one at odds but has drawn to get a soft run in the race from barrier one, unlike last start where he had to work too hard to get outside of the leader. He likes the 1500m trip and has been racing in reasonable form this preparation. One of the chances at big odds.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 6-5-11-14
SUGGESTED BET: 5. Shady Gray – EACH WAY
HAVING A BET?
BEST BET: Race 4 – 4. Preselection
BEST VALUE: Race 3 – 8. Fontainebleau
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