OTAKI

Race 5: TEXAS TEA  was heavily backed in on his second run in late December and duly won under Sam. Did nothing next time out when last at Ellerslie, and though eleventh at Trentham last time out, he ran a good race. Will be at odds today ($14 at the mo) but can run a place.

BET: 3 units ew.

Race 6: BEADMAN  finally fulfilled early promise two runs back, getting home for us at $9. Was a mile back next time out at Trentham, so place best today for him at $26.

BET: 2 units ew

MATAMATA

Race 1: FIVE SCHILLINGS  has done little after hitting his straps back in October. Drops back in grade for this one, but another one with a place shot today at $23…

BET: 2 units ew

Race 3: RIDGEVIEW CHIEF was noted winning well in September, then ran three ordinary ones before a win ($8.50) and two thirds for us. Gets his fav jock back onboard, and is 1/1 here at $6.50.

BET: 5 units ew

CAULFIELD

Race 3: EL PATRONESS  came with a huge finish on her return three weeks back here, and was marked as next-time. Gets JKah up today, and will need to be good against the joint fav, both around the $3.80 mark…

BET: 5 unit win, 10 unit quinella the two favs

Race 4: DECENT RAINE  was so-so last time out, maybe coming to the end of her prep, but she’s been consistent over the summer… Certainly hasn’t been $7 over that period, so ew not out of the question today, though she hasn’t won here…

BET: 3 units ew

Race 6: EXTREME FLIGHT  and I’M THUNDERSTRUCK  contest the Futurity… EF noted with a booming win at Moe in September, which he followed for us with a $10 win at Sandown and a $2.90 win here. Ran at the back up in grade at HQ next time out, then went to the paddock for 3 months. Emerged earlier this month with a close fourth to Marine One, and is not out of this at $14. IT has all the stats, his fifth on resuming only the second time out of the frame. Resumes his battle with Tofane and can win at $3.90.

BET: 5 unit win TS, 2 units ew EF

Race 7: This is a tough one, the Blue Diamond producing COUNTTHEHEADLIGHTS, DAUMIER and SEBONACK for us. Sebonack was a classy winner on debut, as was both Daumier and CTH, the latter two having had further close up runs since. A myriad of chances in this, you can back all three of ours ew, and included in exotics and the qadi.

BET: 3 units ew all three, exotics…

Race 8: The bar gets set a bit higher each time for MARABI but she keeps on winning… She destroyed them at MV last time out (see link), won easing down. She’s got a wicked turn of foot, and dropping back to the 1100m shouldn’t both her at all. Can’t back against her, but we’ll chuck in GENERAL BEAU from the book for exotics and the qadi. Will need to be at his very best to run a place here, but $23 on offer. Include in exotics.

BET: Marabi 10 unit win, GB 2 units ew… exotics…

https://www.racing.com/replays/#/replay-hub/search/Marabi

Race 9: DESERT ICON had been building towards the last start dominant win here 3 weeks ago after coming over from the UK. Even money at the mo, and Waller will have him perfectly set to win this one.

BET: 10 unit win

MORPHETTVILLE

Race 9: RUSTY HALO went in the back last July then won twice for us at $15 and $6.50. Jumped up to BM68 without placing, though not far away, before heading to the paddock for nearly 5 month. Back to BM64 today and has trialled ahead of this. No noted first up stats, but if he can sit on the speed he can a piece of this at $13.

BET: 3 units ew

NEWCASTLE

Race 8: TYCOON HALLIE is backmarker who was noted in September running on into third. Has been well-backed in subsequent runs for placings before stepping up in grade last time out at Randwick and finishing well down. Back in grade today and rates an ew chance again in an open betting race at $5/$2.

BET: 5 units ew

CAULFIELD LATE QADI

OK, gone wide early, narrowing down as we go:

Field

1-3-4-5-6-10-11

5

5

56 units