1. Mortar Platoon | Finished midfield last start at Nowra and up in trip. Likely to settle back in the field. Must respect. |
2. Microna | Can't knock the form with two wins from 11 attempts this campaign and faded to finish on the winners' heels last start at Newcastle on a soft track. All wins have come when faced with dry ground. A good chance. |
3. Dip Me Lid | Led all the way to win last start at Canberra and draws to do no work. Carrying more weight. Forward showing no surprise. |
4. Hemmerle | Returns from six week let-up and faces a rise in distance. two from three wins have been in the dry. Expect to be right up there. |
5. Garros | Short back-up of four days and up in distance. Goes down in weight. Should go well. |
6. Genoveffa | On a four day back-up and faces a rise in distance. Has placed in two runs from six this campaign. Rates as one of the key chances. |
7. Bulwark | Placed when unwanted in the betting last start at Wyong but widest barrier is a concern. Has placed in four runs from eight this campaign. Forward showing no surprise. |
8. Hypernicus | Unplaced in all four runs this prep and up in trip. Likely to settle back in the field. Seems unlikely. |
9. Cloud Nine | Slowly away 1-1/4 len, 2-1/4 len 3rd of 7 (2) $8.50 55.5 River Charge, Hot Bahama 1600m Sapphire Coast Hcp (C2) Soft(6) Dec 27. 15-3/4 len 4th of 7 (5) $31.00 59.0 Lamington Drive 2000m Canberra Plate (C1) Good(4) Jan 13. |
10. Bendethera | Faded to finish two lengths off the winner last start at Moruya on a soft track and up in journey. Has not won at the track previously. Prefer others. |
11. Fly Blue Peter | Finished worse than midfield last start at Bathurst and this campaign's form has left a lot to be desired. Goes down in weight but still prefer to watch go around. |
12. Rangarush | Unplaced in all seven runs this prep and ran four lengths back from the winner last start at Moruya. Has not won at the track previously. Seems unlikely. |