Race 2 – Showcase Picnic Championship (1400m)
9 BENYATTA – $41 ($9.00)
Veteran mare who’s been around the traps. Won’t know herself back on her home deck with a small field. Forgive the last couple where she was wide and chasing. Fitness no issue and the drop back in grade helps. Wouldn’t shock if she grabs a placing at odds.
11 I’M SCARLETT – $2.25 ($1.30)
Flying this prep and looks to be holding form better than ever. Gets through her work late and loves the 1400m. Has won carrying weight before and looks to get a tow into it from out wide. Class edge shows here.
14 POINT TO PROVE – $13 ($3.50)
Fit and firing. Mixing it at the picnics but always competitive. Likes this trip and can settle in the first half. If the tempo’s even, he’s one that’ll stick on and find the line when others are stopping.
Race 8 – XXXX Gold Vincent Gordon Flying Handicap (1100m)
6 DUROVA – $2.40 ($1.45)
Absolute rocket when on song. Put away a decent BM74 field two back and smashed the clock late last start over 900m. Third run in, race-fit and drawn to lead or box seat. Very hard to beat if she turns up.
8 STRATIFIED – $13 ($3.60)
Honest type who runs well fresh. Recent trial was sharp and his best form stacks up. Big watch with Anna Roper booked. Wide gate the knock, but if he gets cover, he’ll be charging.
10 SPECK – $4.20 ($1.80)
Savaged the line last start and draws to stalk the speed here. Knows how to win and sticks with Reece Jones. Third run in and primed to pounce. Serious each-way play.
Race 9 – Dubbo Gold Cup – Big Dance Eligibility (1600m)
4 CRISTAL CLEAR – $3.20 ($1.50)
Top pick on recent form. Back-to-back wins in town over this trip and gives the impression he’s still improving. Gets in well after the claim and maps to settle midfield with cover. Takes holding out if he gets clean air.
8 GALANO – $12 ($3.20)
Forget the Tuncurry Cup where nothing made ground. Previous two wins were smart and he’s shown he can bounce quickly. Capable of putting himself in the race and fighting on. Value hope.
10 TAVROS – $3.90 ($1.85)
Racing in career-best form and won the Moree Cup like a horse on the up. Drawn ideally, can sit off the speed and chime in late. Tough bugger who knows how to win.
Rusty’s Plays:
Best Bet: DUROVA (Race 8) – Flying this prep and drawn to lead. Hard fit now and too sharp for these.
Value: GALANO (Race 9) – Last start forgive. Has a turn of foot and can sit close from the draw. Overs.
Each-Way: SPECK (Race 8) – Set up perfectly third-up. Drawn to get the run of the race and will be strong late.
