1. Great Marlow | Let-up for seven weeks. Never in the race last start at Coffs Harbour when fresh. Generally settles back in the field. Forward showing no surprise. |
2. Kirra Lass | Disappointed when only placing as favourite last start at Ipswich. Should look to roll forward and has four placings from five runs this prep. Right in this. |
3. Sniperess | Resumes after a 34 week spell and has shown potential in trials. Will come to hand quickly and ran second when last first-up at Grafton. One of the main hopes. |
4. Kiki Coco | 2-1/4 len win of 8 (2) $5.00 52.0 Miss Hustle, In Order 1100m Gold Coast Mdn Plate Heavy(9) Dec 12. 4-1/4 len 4th of 12 (7) $7.50 56.0 Parksville 1000m Ballina Hcp (C1) Good(4) Jan 15. |
5. Sailing | Blundered at start. Crowded early stages 4-3/4 len 5th of 9 (4) $7.50 58.0 Sulking 1100m Lismore F&M Hcp (C1) Soft(7) Aug 3. 1-3/4 len, 3/4 len 3rd of 9 (7) $3.80F 57.0 Surf Sonic, Runamuk 1410m Lismore Hcp (C1) Good(3) Aug 24. |
6. Silvaplana | Has got off to a poor start this campaign but should improve with fitness and ran eighth last start at Ipswich. Faces a rise in trip. Unlikely. |
7. Bay of Dragons | Wide throughout 4-1/2 len 7th of 10 (8) $41.00 55.5 Ask Audrey 800m Ipswich (Bm60) Good(4) Jan 1. 2-3/4 len 5th of 11 (2) $26.00 54.0 Gideons 800m Ipswich Hcp (C3) Good(4) Jan 16. |
8. Come Alive | Has placed in three runs from 12 this campaign and in the money last start running second at Ballina. No wins in five past runs at Lismore. Seems unlikely. |
9. Flying Pretty | Resumes after spell of 23 weeks and first start for a new trainer. Returns to shorter trip. Place chance. |
10. Qukes | Ran seven lengths back from the winner last start at Coffs Harbour on a heavy track. Should race on the speed and just the one placing this campaign at Coffs Harbour. Look to others. |
11. Rich Velvet | Faded to finish ninth last start at Coffs Harbour on a heavy track when first up but has run well on a soft track. Placed at Port Macquarie in only second-up attempt but still look to others. |
12. Safely Home | 1-1/2 len win of 8 (8) $2.20F 55.5 Direct Drive, Winnipeg 1310m Ballina Mdn Soft(6) Dec 26. 15-3/4 len 11th of 12 (1) $101.00 55.0 Avowal 1400m Ballina Hcp (C2) Good(4) Jan 15. |
13. Northern Star | Finished midfield last start at Ballina when fresh and wide barrier is a concern. Goes up in weight. Outsider. |
14. Pharaohs Rush | Faded to finish seventh last start at Inverell and carries an extra 3kg from last run. Just the one placing this campaign at Inverell. Prefer to watch go around. |