Race 4 – JACK & CO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1312 METRES)
3 DEVOTED TO YOU – $8
Fitter for the recent run where she chased solidly on a testing heavy. Back on to a drier Soft 5 surface suits and gets the winkers off and blinkers back on again. Drawn out but likely presses forward and finds a spot off speed. Looks well placed with added race fitness and should be in this a long way if they roll along early.
7 SATONO INVADER (NZ) – $1.8
Smart type who attacked the line first-up and strips fitter here. Drawn perfectly to do no work and maps to get a dream run just off the leaders. Stable is flying and this looks a target race. Will take holding out if she improves off that solid return effort and gets the breaks.
17 MISS GRAYSEA – $23
Honest type who’s been knocking on the door in weaker provincial maidens. Third-up now and hitting peak fitness. Maps to get a soft run just worse than midfield and will be grinding to the line if tempo suits. Needs luck and others have more upside, but not hopeless for wider exotics.
Race 5 – BLE BUILDING COUNTRY BOOSTED CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1007 METRES)
2 CANNY PROSPECT – $8
Strong last-start winner who looks to be holding form. Suited around the 1000m mark and carries weight okay with the 2kg claim. Draw hurts but has early toe and might be able to slide across to sit just off the speed. Can figure in the finish if the track plays fair.
5 TOYGER – $15
Tricky draw but has the speed to overcome it with intent. Had excuses last start when caught wide throughout and still battled to the line. Drops back slightly in trip and finds a slightly easier race. Could improve sharply with a cleaner run. Knockout hope.
6 SO KOBY – $2.3
Progressive type who’s two from two and done it easily both times. Steps up in class but maps to get the perfect run just behind the pace. Hard fit, handles all going, and looks to have more upside than anything in this race. If he steps clean, he’ll be right there to pounce.
Race 6 – BAKEWELL HAULAGE ‘WIN & YOU’RE IN THE 2025 KRAMBACH CUP’ BENCHMARK 66 HANDICAP (1614 METRES)
4 MISSION TO WIN – $7
Flying this prep and gets a lovely map here midfield with cover. Loves soft going and the apprentice claim gets him in nicely at the weights. Up in grade but down in pressure. Looks like he’ll be in the finish again with even luck and the right ride.
5 HAZE – $4.2
Very honest on softer ground and suited back in this grade. Maps for a box seat run and the weight drop is significant. Gets a key jockey booking and ready to peak third-up. Any improvement in the pattern puts him right in the finish.
PHOENIX POWER – $2.7
Absolutely airborne and proved it with a powerful win last start in similar company. Maps to lob one pair back the fence and has the turn of foot to explode late. If the tempo is genuine and gaps open, he looks mighty hard to stop again.
Rusty’s Plays:
Best Bet: SO KOBY (Race 5) – Classy and unbeaten. Drawn well and the stable has him ticking over. Hard to beat again.
Value: MISSION TO WIN (Race 6) – Big effort last time and maps ideally. Down in pressure and should be there late.
Each-Way: DEVOTED TO YOU (Race 4) – Looks close to breaking through. Blinkers on and fitter now. Ticks enough boxes.
