Stawell – Soft 7
R1 – Gift Hotel Stawell Maiden Plate (1100m)
Positive Image gets the perfect draw and his best run over this track and trip reads well for this. He can bounce back from a plain run on heavy ground last start. Coral Jet resumes off a break and maps nicely, while Apache Sunrise can improve with race fitness. Packers Journey has shown enough in jump-outs to run better than recent form suggests.
Selections
3. Positive Image ($1.70)
- Coral Jet ($6.50)
- Apache Sunrise ($6.00)
- Packers Journey
R2 – Russ Studio Jewellers Maiden Plate (1300m)
Discover Lupino looks ready to improve with blinkers going on and should be ridden positively. Menzies Creek has been racing well and gets a soft draw, while I’m Da Boss has shown enough this prep to be competitive if he handles the going. Western Legend is a roughie who has trialled better than his race form suggests.
Selections
2. Discover Lupino ($3.50)
6. Menzies Creek ($2.05)
5. I’m Da Boss ($9.50)
8. Western Legend
R3 – Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park Maiden Plate (1600m)
Zetheros was excellent first-up at Warrnambool and looks ideally suited rising to the mile. Angel’s Gathering has been consistent and will be strong late if the tempo suits. Call Me Rhonda has claims off a solid Kilmore run, while Shamus Illusion can be included at big odds on debut.
Selections
6. Zetheros ($1.85)
- Angel’s Gathering ($2.90)
- Call Me Rhonda
- Shamus Illusion ($61.00)
R4 – Carlton Draught Maiden Plate (2000m)
Thunderbolt Way looks ready to peak third-up and should settle right on speed from a good draw. Epoch kept working home well at this track last start and stays in the mix. Mr Vegas looks suited rising in trip, while Barossa Valley can be strong late if they overdo it up front.
Selections
10. Thunderbolt Way ($5.00)
4. Epoch ($4.60)
7. Mr Vegas ($5.00)
- Barossa Valley
R5 – Discover Northern Grampians Maiden Plate (2000m)
Nothin’ Wong Here has been knocking on the door all prep and gets a great chance from a soft draw. Chouxdino maps well from barrier one and has been around the mark. Path To Victory can improve with blinkers going on, while Spicy Apple has place claims off a sound Kyneton run.
Selections
8. Nothin’ Wong Here ($1.45)
4. Chouxdino ($19.00)
9. Path To Victory
10. Spicy Apple ($19.00)
R6 – Mackays Family Jewellers 0-56 Handicap (2000m)
A tricky race where going wide in exotics looks the right play. Three Reel Roses can bounce back sharply from Kilmore, while Jaz Tycoon gets the inside draw and is on a quick back-up. Final Impact has claims at this level, and Smokin’ Rohie can improve getting back to a more suitable trip.
Selections
7. Three Reel Roses ($6.00)
2. Jaz Tycoon ($2.90)
3. Final Impact
6. Smokin’ Rohie ($12.00)
R7 – Manhari BM56 Handicap (1100m)
Fox Man gets a better setup from the inside draw and can settle much closer second-up. Forever With Ned drops in grade and can improve with a more positive ride. Prince Marionette resumes off encouraging jump-outs and has ability, while Eire Of Fortune is better suited back to this level.
Selections
2. Fox Man
8. Forever With Ned ($3.20)
3. Prince Marionette ($8.00)
7. Eire Of Fortune ($9.00)
R8 – Bet365 Bet Boost BM56 Handicap (1300m)
Princess Mess was dominant winning first-up and looks well placed to keep progressing. Matrooshi resumes off a break and has trialled well enough to run a big race fresh. Simply Sassy is very consistent and must be respected, while Triomphe can improve after another honest prep.
Selections
8. Princess Mess ($2.00)
11. Matrooshi ($7.50)
13. Simply Sassy ($7.50)
14. Triomphe ($6.00)
R9 – Thomas Foods BM56 Handicap (1600m)
Side Piece looks a big-price chance fresh after two solid trials and gets straight to a suitable mile. License To Excite is chasing three straight and should roll forward again. Pharoah’s Glory can improve with blinkers coming off, while Vincentina continues to race honestly this prep.
Selections
13. Side Piece
5. License To Excite ($6.00)
10. Pharoah’s Glory ($4.80)
9. Vincentina ($6.50)
