Another very evenly graded battle for the older girls and early tempo will be crucial. Lightly raced provincial four-year-old 8. Syzygy Stars returns off a lengthy break for her second prep. Won two from three last time. This is a tougher test, but she’s unbeaten on soft ground and has had two forward trials up to 1000m for a stable who loves to get them ready.
Dangers: Two sound trials suggest talented four-year-old 1. Ita is ready first up. Strung three wins together up to this grade last prep, but the handicapper hasn’t missed her with 61kg. Improving 3. Sweet Angeline did her best work late over this trip fresh, and she’s already a second-up winner. Provincial mare 4. Ciccina draws well and resumes behind two quiet trials after winning four from five last prep in two states. No doubting 6. Russbuss has the ability at this level and is hard fit but draws wide and her starting price profile is not great.
How to play it: Syzygy Stars each way and box trifecta 1,8/1,3,4,6,8/1,3,4,6,8; Odds and Evens: Split

Race 5 5YO & UP BENCHMARK 78 HCP (1250m)

Another typical wide and even race for this level. Tough eight-year-old 9. Accelerato chased home the topweight third up carrying 2.5kg more despite drifting in betting and from a soft draw can produce a superior final 300m. Over the odds.
Dangers: Lightly raced six-year-old 1. Bergan has built a better than 25 per cent winning strike rate from only 23 starts. Was dominant first up from the front carrying a hefty 61kg, but it was a hot leader bias that night in slightly weaker grade, although he normally carries that form into the next run. Include 5. Score fourth up, last-start winner 6 Bugalugs third up, and 11. Sessions Road fourth up in exotics for a race where trifectas and first fours could be easier to find than the winner.
How to play it: Accelerato each way; Odds and Evens: Odds

Race 6 3YO & UP BENCHMARK 72 HCP (1100m)

Very keen on progressive mare 3. Star Cherie, who led all the way second up at Warwick Farm and boasts a 50 per cent win rate from only eight starts. Draws to get a good on-speed run and has the superior turn of foot over this trip.
Dangers: Talented mare 1. Salina Dreaming didn’t get much luck when it counted first up in Saturday grade, and the winner of that race has since exploded home to score again. Her second-up form is sound and she likes it soft but, as is the case for many provincial gallopers racing in metro company, poorly off at the weights. Capable 2. Sixgun was only a length behind the top selection second up. 5. Land Of Valens shoots for a hat trick of wins from the inside draw.
How to play it: Star Cherie to win; Odds and Evens: Odds

Race 7 3YO & UP BENCHMARK 72 HCP (1550m

Now that five-year-old 2. Savoury has found the winner’s stall again, he can repeat the dose in a similar race, unless he goes to a much stronger race at Randwick on Saturday. Stalked the speed before surging clear for a dominant win two weeks ago and draws to follow the same path.
Dangers: On-speed six-year-old stablemate 1. Off Shaw (also accepted for Randwick) hasn’t been far away in two runs back and top jockey takes over, but there’s little or no margin for error over further under 62.5kg. Lightly raced three-year-old 7. Zoumon resumes behind two improving trials; while 3. Zell and 8. Glamour Fox can run into a place.
How to play it: Savoury to win; Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS
Race 2 (4) CALIFORNIA SURREAL; Race 6 (3) STAR CHERIE
BEST VALUE
Race 5: (9) ACCELERATO

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

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