Race One: Claire Andrews Handicap (70) 1000m Form Guide

Back Me: Given there is very little depth here, I think the winner will come from either Romancingthestone (Best Odds: $5.00) or Maroon Bay, with a leaning towards the former given she was a bit unlucky not being allowed to build up momentum on the turn while Maroon Bay was in front and doing as she pleases. Romancingthestone gets the weight pull in her favour now, along with the barriers.
Big Danger: I thought Maroon Bay (Best Odds: $4.60) was a good thing first up at Kembla after trialling so well, but she was the first horse beat there. So Team Hawkes decided to send her South and she jumped, ran along in front and clung on. She’ll look to adopt similar tactics again and pinch it.
Roughie: Leicameares (Best Odds: $26.00) looked to be bolting on the turn when making her debut at Terang, gave a good kick at the 200m, but just got tired the last little bit. With that experience under her belt, and a firmer track, she could run a decent race at odds.

$250 Romancingthestone Free Bet

Race Two: Lisa Clarence Handicap (84) 1600m Form Guide

Back Me: Going for a bit of value in the shape of Roxanne Of Sydney (Best Odds: $17.00). She was crunched in betting on Ballarat Cup Day and came from near last to win, then went to the Valley and didn’t appear to handle the track at all when a fair seventh to Tilla Bell Rings. Back to a bigger track here, gate one and on the minimum.
Big Danger: Flying Hostess (Best Odds: $2.90) was exposed a bit early by Yendall last start over this track/distance, but she seemed to appreciate it as she charged clear late to win impressively. The horses she beat in that race that are lining here she meets better off at the weights. Massive threat.
Roughie: The drop in weight could spark some sort of improvement from Spellrocker (Best Odds: $16.00), who got anchored down by the big weight at Flemington behind Kiss Me Ketut, but still worked home okay. Tumbles down to 52kg here after the claim, should roll forward and give plenty of cheek.

$250 Roxanne Of Sydney Free Bet

Race Three: Equiano Speed Yearlings Handicap (84) 1600m Form Guide

Back Me: The good thing on the card in the shape of Quick Snitzel (Best Odds: $1.80). He got left out the back first up and charged home for fifth behind Winta Chiller, then again was last in the run before again savaging the line for a close up second to in form mare Sistine Demon. This is a very, very thin race outside him, and if he is to go anywhere, he should beat this lot and I think he will.
Big Danger: Given the race is pretty ordinary outside our top tip, I reckon The Wingman (Best Odds: $13.00) could run a bold race here. He wasn’t too bad fresh, then was back in a slowly run race and made ground late. Out to the mile now and back on his home track could spark improvement.
Roughie: Bombalatomba (Best Odds: $17.00) finished near last, but his closing sectionals were okay late. He is better suited over a bit further, but as I keep saying, it is a thin race, and once upon a time, he was an unlucky runner in the Australian Guineas.

$250 Quick Snitzel Free Bet

Race Four: Kellie Turvey Handicap (90) 1200m Form Guide

Back Me: Looking for some value here and have come up with the former Chris Waller galloper Silk Pins (Best Odds: $21.00), who is now in the care of Brett Cavanough. She promised to win a race under the care of Waller, but her barrier manners and a lack of wanting to attack the line means she has been transferred. One from 15 doesn’t read well, but she has raced against some quality gallopers and did trial nicely behind stablemate Prince Pedro early last month.
Big Danger: Lady Of Harrods (Best Odds: $6.00) was really struggling during the Spring, but a drop in class has seen her improve and run more competitive races up on the pace, which is what she should do here from the wide barrier, and back to her own sex and around a bend should see her prove hard to run down.
Roughie: I give a sneaky first four chance to Royal Bender (Best Odds: $41.00), who once upon a time was a stakes class mare and was running good races in that company. But in recent times, she has really struggled for some form. In saying that, I thought her run behind Danestroem was okay, and good enough to suggest she can run a cheeky race here.

$250 Silk Pins Free Bet

Race Five: Harris Walker Gold Carat 1200m Form Guide

Back Me: Good three year old race to highlight the program. Was really taken by the win of Wild Fire (Best Odds: $12.00)first up at Yarra Valley, where he bolted in, and ran really good time and was quicker than the older horses on the same program, and that is always a sign that the winner must be taken seriously. Drawn wide, but should be able to get over without too much drama and I’m happy to be on his back.
Big Danger: Trust In A Gust (Best Odds: $2.60) hasn’t been seen since bolting in the Eureka Stockade on Ballarat Cup Day under the guidance of Brad Rawiller. Has been given a freshen up since that run, Ollie takes over, barrier one, hard to beat.
Roughie: Many horses to include in the exotics. They are Kievann (Best Odds: $14.00), Written Up (Best Odds: $12.00), Gallant Express (Best Odds: $51.00) and Magnus Opus (Best Odds: $26.00), all of which are capable of filling a first four spot.

$250 Wild Fire Free Bet

Race Six: Tim Sando Handicap (78) 1200m Form Guide

Back Me: Really liked the way The Travelling Man (Best Odds: $12.00) relaxed in the run last start and the turn of foot he showed at the top of the straight. The run presented itself, and he probably got to the front too soon hence the short margin, but a win is a win, and now that he has got that one, he can go right on with it.
Big Danger: Prince Stratum (Best Odds: $3.80) can be forgiven for his last start failure as a heavily backed favourite because I think, due to circumstances, he was ridden a touch too close to the tempo, and he was left in front a fair way from home, which isn’t his go. He needs a bunny to chase, and from the wide barrier, Beriman should be able to get midfield cover and have the last crack with only 53.5kg to carry.
Roughie: Cahier (Best Odds: $10.00) strung together three impressive wins on the Geelong Synthetic before failing in a metro race at Mornington. Resumed in a 55 second heat and was very stiff, ended up being hard held on the line, finishing sixth to Cahier. That run has proved he can perform away from the Synthetic, so he rates as a definite chance.

$250 The Travelling Man Free Bet

Race Seven: Equiano Speed Handicap Heat 5 (84) 1400m Form Guide

Back Me: Giving Pillar Of Creation (Best Odds: $17.00) another chance here. Loved his run first up here when wide with no cover yet sticking on well, then I have no idea what happened last start at Flemington. He looked to be going okay, then as soon as he was let go, he went backwards. Prepared to forgive him as he comes back to a bending track, drops in weight and drawn well.
Big Danger: Ollie almost weaved the magic wand enough to get Too Deadly (Best Odds: $8.00) home last start here, but couldn’t quite get there when a close up third to Floatmyboat and Praesentia. Meets the former 2kg better off at the weights, and Newitt is back on board.
Roughie: The drop back to 1400m could spark an improved showing from the talented but frustrating galloper Bradman (Best Odds: $18.00), who has been running in Adelaide in recent times over slightly longer distances and not finishing his races. He travels well, looks the winner, but doesn’t run a trip out, so back to 1400m, a good gate and a half kilo over the minimum will help his cause.

$250 Piller Of Creation Free Bet

Race Eight: Adam Meyer Handicap (78) 2000m Form Guide

Back Me: Nisos (Best Odds: $7.50) for me. Didn’t mind his run first up behind Loot ‘N’ Run, then raced flat behind Sistine Demon before working home nicely late behind Initiator. He meets that horse 2.5kg better off at the weights, Boss is on, drawn well, and should be just about at peak fitness.
Big Danger: Canonized (Best Odds: $9.00) had the alarms ringing with his eye catching fourth behind Inxed Linked over this distance at Flemington. He is flying this prep, but can’t draw a gate, which is the case again here, but he is racing too well to ignore.
Roughie: Proper Madam (Best Odds: $51.00) was good from the back and out wide when fifth to Zoomania at the Valley. She is probably looking for further and a track like Flemington, but is another who has upside and good previous form.

$250 Nisos Free Bet