Race 3 Class 2 Hcp (1000m)

Race with good depth. Very keen here on the returning mare 3. Majestic Pedrille who raced in good city and provincial company back in the autumn, although she has accepted for R5 as well. Trained on the track and usually comes to hand quickly. Will park midfield off the fence and launch late.
Dangers: The clear challenger is Mudgee galloper 6. Reprimand who won back-to-back Dubbo races effortlessly at the tail end of autumn before a break. Looked good in a recent home-track trial win and just has to overcome the wide barrier to be in the finish. Don’t leave Randwick-based 8. With Purpose out of the Exotics.
How to play it: Back Majestic Pedrille E/Way.

Race 4 Class 3 Hcp (1450m)

Follow the pattern with the very progressive 2. Velaro from the same stable as Reprimand in the previous race. Won his Maiden resuming over virtually the same trip at Coonabarabran back in February and then improved again into impressive Benchmark wins around the Central-West. Looked smart and ready in a recent trial and stable has booked leading senior rider for the return. The one to beat.
Dangers: Newcastle mare 1. Aberration didn’t have a lot of luck at Mudgee a week ago but still finished off okay and is used to carrying big weights. Should be in the finish. Locally trained mare   5. I Wear Prada has won her last two from off the speed and again looks in a race to suit, and lightly raced 6. Kulnura has  returned this prep in good fashion.
How to play it: Back Velaro to win and box 1-2-5 in trifecta.

Race 5: F and M BM 66 Hcp (1250m)

Returning 6. Majestic Pedrille accepted for this race, but I’m banking on her returning in R3. If it goes that way, the stablemate 2. Love None is ready to explode back after a six-month break. Has sound fresh form and was close-up behind some very smart gallopers in Country Championship qualifiers back in the autumn.
Dangers: I’m not leaving out Newcastle mare 3. Princess Pattern  who won two starts back at Quirindi and her form is rock solid for this.  Mudgee-trained 7. Taking Liberties is the other clear threat, although cops a decent weight hike after her last-start win at Bathurst, while Scone-trained 10. Lips “n” Lashes just missed on this track last start, will go forward and is bred to get through the ground.

How to play it: Back Love None to win.

Race 6: BM 58 Hcp (1750m)

Wide open race that might just be a blanket finish. Newcastle mare 7. Bellabrook is ready to win fourth-up after hitting the line hard from well back last start on this track. Her form too is deeper than most behind high-class finishers like Our Winnie two runs back, and her last win back in February was on this track.
Dangers: There are several, but heading the charge is the well-placed 8. Elaborate who broke his Maiden in a Class One win last start and is still on the rise. Both 9. Athena’s Voice, who should be suited finishing hard down the middle late in the day, and last-start winner 4. Albert Of Monaco is from a good Gosford stable and also “maps” to hit the line hard from the off the pace.

How to play it: Back Bellabrook E/Way.

Race 7: Class 1 Hcp (1280m)

Another open one to finish, although lightly raced Tamworth-trained 12. Rubble is very good value. Resumed in good style coming from well off the speed to win on this track, still in well here at the weights, and like the fact she stays at the same trip. Don’t be concerned by the wide gate. Late in the day, she “maps” good and only needs cover in the first half of the race.
Dangers: City-trained 1. Highly Desired broke his Maiden from the front at Nowra last start and again will try and control the race, so tempo is a big factor, while 13. Sweatball, from a very shrewd Gosford stable, is having only his second run in nearly three months  but is suited big time on this track with just 54kg.

How to play it: Back Rubble E/Way.