Not much between a few of these. Despite mixed form this prep, 7. Whatadilemma can claim an overdue second career win. Worked home well in consecutive provincial races at BM 64 and CL1 level before failing to run home here in a strong BM 64 field two weeks back. Didn’t get the breaks that day after being backed from $5.00 into $3.70, and while this is a shade tougher, he gets a significant weight drop
Dangers: 3. So Sleek twice hit the line from well back up to BM 72+ metro company before failing to finish off here a fortnight ago when ridden way too close. 1. Cheval Savant comes back in grade over more ground third-up. From the inside draw, 5. Seething Seb will be hard to hold out after finishing less than two lengths from Flying Bandit, who then won convincingly again at Randwick on Tuesday. Country-based 2. Knights Armour will find this much easier third-up.
How to play it: Whatadilemma to win.

Race 5 4YO & UP MAIDEN HCP (1100m)

Capable four-year-old 7. Royalify resumes with the blinkers coming off in an ideal and moderate race behind two forward and spaced trials at this track, the latest tracking the speed and sitting wide, but strong through the line. Hasn’t lived up to his potential yet, tailing off against deeper opposition last prep, but he can come to hand quickly from a low draw.
Dangers: 6. Monte Braveheart ran home hard late first-up at Kembla as a well fancied favourite and kept ticking over via that same recent trial as the top selection. Keep safe 1. Kazotsky, coming back sharply in distance fourth-up off a four-week freshening, while 4. Montigo Bay resumes having come through a steady effort in that same trial here.
How to play it: Royalify to win.

Race 6 BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1500m)

Lightly raced three-year-old 3. Strong Trade can make it two straight this prep, stepping up from a fast-finishing Super Maiden win at Warwick Farm, where he finished in front of Superhero, who is a serious chance in an earlier race. Normally holds form and the extra furlong is right up his alley, with the Big Dance-winning jockey keeping the ride.
Dangers: Home track mare 5. Leandra is banging on the door for a third career win having missed narrowly in a deeper Midway BM 68 here three weeks ago. Big watch on 1. La Vesuvius, who resumes off two progressive country trials up to 1100m. Big weight offset by a 3kg claimer, and he has a tidy fresh record. Include both 3. Verbek and 4. Star Legacy in exotic plays.
How to play it: Strong Trade to win.

Race 7 LADIES DAY CUP (1500m)

An open feature race run at Listed level presents nicely for 10. Raf Attack, who’s the best weighted runner in the race down on the 54kg limit. Was close-up in the placings in consecutive metro BM 88 races before a very weak performance as a hot favorite in the Port Macquarie Cup. Prepared to forgive coming back sharply to the preferred shorter trip, and he’s drawn to get a lovely run on speed.
Dangers: 6. Felix Majestic struck on bravely from the front in group 3 company third-up, and has since won a city trial in heavy going. Tough and honest 2. Bandersnatch has been holding his own in much deeper group and carnival races, although covering three states in seven weeks, including the latest run for a new provincial stable. Draws to get a handy trail off speed, but hasn’t won since March last year. Over the odds is 3. Berkshire Shadow, down in weight from the inside draw. Both 5. Robusto, second-up, and 9. City Of Lights, freshened via an easy trial, can add value into trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: Raf Attack to win.

Race 8 MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1300m)

Not much separates the leading contenders in the closer, but talented mare 2. Monte Supreme emerges clear on top at the value over a bit further. Roared home to be beaten under three lengths in a deeper metro Midway BM 72 only 12 days ago, and importantly draws to settle a bit closer this time.
Dangers: Progressive 3. One Last Shot has been given four weeks since a comfortable maiden win here, and draws to get a similar close trail. Keep very safe too 1. Bindi’s Choice, fourth-up from a sound trailing draw. 10. Flying Embers comes off an eye-catching and fast-finishing maiden win at Newcastle, but under the odds in this line-up. Debut winner at Canberra 11. Miss Spacegirl heads the rest.
How to play it: Monte Supreme to win.

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