Race 3 - 2.25pm: MAIDEN HCP (1200m)

Lightly raced five-year-old 1. Corvalist is well-suited second-up off a lengthy break over a touch more ground. Stuck on okay from the front when first-up at Grafton, but with natural fitness improvement he rates on top in a weak race, especially in preferred soft going.

Dangers: Sparingly raced 3. Counterpart resumes off a soft metro trial. Watch the betting on 2. Bellascent who trialled quietly, although normally takes a run to hit her straps. 4. Elite Delight gets significant weight relief at her third start, and drops in class. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Corvalist to win

Race 4 - 3.05pm: MAIDEN PLATE (1400m)

Tough and improving four-year-old 2. Risk For Reward is primed to pounce fourth-up. Returned for a second prep, with two solid efforts just behind the placegetters before missing narrowly behind a promising sprinter who had the best run in a better maiden at Grafton. Peaks now off that start staying at the distance, and he’s right at home on rain-affected ground.

Dangers: Locally trained 3. The Riddler is still hunting a breakthrough win ahead of his 22nd start, but drawn to get a lovely run fourth-up, and comes through the same race as the top selection where he finished off okay late. Both 1. Howzat Harry and 7. Cool Machine can add value into trifecta and first four plays; while don’t dismiss 6. Whatever It Takes at big odds, also arriving via that same form line as the top two, and has a liking for soft ground.

How to play it: Risk For Reward to win

Race 5 - 3.40pm: CLASS 1 HCP (800m)

Back to the flying short course here, and that augurs well for consistent five-year-old 1. Mr Damage who boasts superior tactical speed and handles all conditions. Was only run down late as a heavily backed favourite at Port in a one-one fresh run eight weeks back before reloading off another break and leading all the way over 1000m at Kempsey. Again comes off a freshen-up and significantly over a furlong shorter, he can lead them a merry dance on preferred soft ground.

Dangers: Home tracker 2. Cool Man is a big watch first-up over this short trip. Won on debut over a bit further in heavy ground as a heavily backed favourite, and this is the lightest weight he’s carried. Be surprised if the winner comes from anywhere else, but keep safe ex-Queensland mare 6. Whitsunday Session, also resuming for a new local stable with gear changes. 3. Rhumb Line is the best of the rest second-up.

How to play it: Mr Damage to win

Race 6 - 4.15pm: MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)

Another one resuming, 5. Their Finest Hour emerges as the one to beat. Showed tactical speed in beating all but the winner across two starts through winter to start his career before spelling. Has looked good in two forward trials at Grafton, winning the latest in handy time, and proven to handle soft ground or worse.

Dangers: Big market watch on home tracker 1. Pal’s Reign, resuming for just his second start off a six-month break and easy trial. Similarly, track the market on lightly raced 10. Sweet Marlene who resumes for the new Port stable off a lengthy spell sporting blinkers for the first time. Ex-Victorian 2. Such A Dude resumes for his first run since early April for the new local stable; while emerging 4. Jumbled resumes for only his third start behind a nice trial.

How to play it: Their Finest Hour to win

Race 7 4.50pm: BENCHMARK 82 HCP (1000m)

Competitive higher grade sprint here, typically with plenty of chances, but headed clearly by progressive home track mare 5. Moskeeta who looks very well-placed third-up, with a 3kg weight claim. Was spelled after a tough and narrow win in BM 66 grade before twice hitting the line hard from well back in the two-race Jacaranda Cup Series at Grafton. That form reads ideally for this given four of her five career wins from just 18 starts have come on soft ground, and she will relish the longer straight at this track.

Dangers: Right in the race despite the big weight is 1. Cecil Street Lad, resuming for the Kristen Buchanan yard at Wyong off a controlled trial, and more than half his eight career wins have come on rain-affected ground. 2. Matter Of Honour resumes off a tidy trial win on soft ground; while last start BM 66 winner 10. Heir Apparent is down sharply in weight for the rise in grade. Include both 4. Andy who finds his best in rain-affected going; and 11. Monte Drifter freshened off a first-up CL3 win; in wider exotic plays.

How to play it: Moskeeta to win

Race 8 - 5.30pm: CLASS 1 HCP (1200m)

Lightly raced local mare 7. Sunny’s Girl can win the closer, and make it two wins from three this prep. Flashed home late to win her maiden here in soft going before running home late in deeper Class 1 company at Doomben over further. Looks well treated at the weights back from metropolitan company and carrying only 1kg more, and she will naturally love getting back on a bigger track with a long straight.

Dangers: Keep safe progressive mare 2. Got The Smarts third-up. 5. South Boambee stuck on well when resuming off a let-up, but is a risk at the end of 1200m; while 1. Veecee, dropping significantly in class fourth-up; and 3. Key Legend also fourth-up and down in weight; head the rest.

How to play it: Sunny’s Girl to win

BETS BETS
R5 1. MR DAMAGE
R6 5. THEIR FINEST HOUR

BEST VALUE
R7 5. MOSKEETA

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au