VOBIS GOLD RUSH

RACE 2 - 1100m

THE SPEED MACHINE / KNURL / MAFFIANO

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained two-year-old THE SPEED MACHINE became a handful when saddling and Price took on strapping duties before the running of the Mornington Sires (1000m). The strategy proved effective as the HANSECTIC gelding secured a half-neck victory over the favored LUNA VEGA by immediately taking the lead and not relinquishing it. The Speed Machine is unbeaten in two outings having scored over 1000m in a four-horse field on debut at Morphettville Parks last month. He's a swift and robust horse and set to take them on again.

☆☆☆☆

KNURL is a promising young type from the McEvoy yard who is out of the speed sire BRAZEN BEAU from a well performed LONHRO mare in MOLLYCODDLE, who was a solid benchmark competitior. KNURL went full bore at the 250m when 4th on debut in the Darley Maribyrnong Trial Stakes over 1000m and kept coming. The two-year-old colt improved to win the next over 1000m at Bendigo, drawing well clear by 3.3L the final 150m. Only needs to act in a professional manner to be running into the money late.

☆☆☆

GOLDEN MILE (L)

RACE 9 - 1600m

HUGHES / OSIPENKO / SHOCKLETZ

The RUSSIAN REVOLUTION gelding HUGHES is flying and broke EXCEED AND EXCEL's 1400m Caulfield track record last start in the Gr.3 Victory Handicap. Few horses have won from near last on the rail at Caulfield - much less in a 16-horse field - but the gaps opened perfectly for Gavin Bedggood’s galloper and jockey Jett Stanley urged him through. The result was a lightning win that shaved 0.13 seconds off Exceed And Excel’s 2003 run of 1:21:20. He was coming off a win in the Eucha Cup (1400m) in March and the step up to 1600m here should be ideal with his slick turn-of-foot.

☆☆☆☆

Ugly watch on OSIPENKO last start when getting too far out of his ground from a wide draw in the Alan Brown at Randwick, although he tried to rally a bit and kept trying in the run home. Much better the run prior with a sound performance for 3rd in the Gr.2 Shannon Stakes behind WATERFORD and RISE AT DAWN. Chris Waller certainly hasn't overraced the PIERRO gelding this previous term, who should really hold a better record, but he typically finds a couple better in the day. A superior performance is possible if able to strike his best form.

☆☆☆

It's often a tough when SHOCKLETZ hits the track, usually trapped behind a wall of horse looking for an exit plan. Shockletz has to be given serious respect fresh up though having won 6 from 12. Won over 2500m at Flemington last July, then returned with a win at 1600m getting through the inside at Sandown Hillside. Got it wrong in the next two before finishing the prep with a nice win at Pakenham back up to the 2500m. Trialed up well in the last one so not completely out of this if Maher has prepped well forward but be better for it.

☆☆

BENDIGO GOLD BRACELET

RACE 5 - 1400m

MERRIGOLD / ROLL ON HIGH / OH TOO GOOD

Trainer John Sadler continued his successful streak at Flemington, securing a victory as MERRIGOLD delivered a powerful performance to win the VOBIS Gold Reef in January, having her first attempt at 1600m. A reliable mare she is a city class performer who chased hard for 2nd behind TAKEN at Caulfield up to the 1700m, before coming five wide to run 2nd back to the 1400m in thd VOBIS Gold Distaff. The five-year-old GOLD STANDARD mare is in career best form, and looms as serious threat back to the mile as a lightweight chance with Cartwright claiming 2kg - top draw, appears well up for it.

☆☆☆☆

BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1100m

STOLLI BOLLI / YOU'RE TOO VAIN / LEGACY BAY

BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1300m

XARPO / DUCHESS ZOU / SOUGHT AFTER