BENCHMARK 100 HANDICAP
RACE 8 - 2000m

IMMEDIACY / BLACK RUN / POUNDING

IMMEDIACY is returning to a 2000m race after competing in the Mornington Cup over 2400m. In that event, he secured an early position and appeared to have a favourable opportunity, but in our assessment didn't sustain his performance over the full distance. We anticipate an improved outcome with a return to a shorter trip and a more strategically patient ride with Craig Williams taking the reins, who could position him up nicely for victory.

☆☆☆☆

BLACK RUN was trapped wide and back resuming at Randwick over 1800m and really did nothing in the run home. The Archibald-trained NATHANIEL gelding does have a strong 2nd-up record though and scored some nice victories last prep, including one at Randwick and two here over 2400m. May need this one as well, but will jump with only 52.5kg and a much better performance is expected if able to build some momentum late and charge into the finish. May surprise and a place is possible.

☆☆☆

POUNDING delivered an exceptional performance in the Mornington Cup with Luke Nolen aboard, truly deserving of a victory sticking to the rail. However, the seven-year-old stayer narrowly missed the win, finishing second to KINGS VALLEY. This Moody/Coleman trained stayer is clearly eager for a win after an enduring 63 run career and warrants considerable attention with Emily Pozman claiming 3kg. Will go forward and drawn to be in this a long way.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 100 HANDICAP
RACE 7 - 1440m

CAPPER THIRTYNINE / GREEN FLY / MARBLE ARCH

CAPPER THIRTYNINE demonstrated a strong performance, securing a victory at Flemington two weeks ago. He positioned himself favourably just behind the leaders before making a decisive move and finishing powerfully to claim the win. Given a smooth journey during the race, he is expected to perform well, particularly with the benefit of the claim which lands the VANCOUVER gelding on a super light weight.

☆☆☆☆

GREEN FLY is scheduled to re-enter competitive racing after a multi-week hiatus, following his recent participation in the Muswellbrook Cup. Despite an unfavourable starting position, his concluding performance in that event was noteworthy. The seven-year-old FRANKEL gelding trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman won the Listed Sprint (1400m) in Canberra the run prior and gapped then at Eagle Farm in Feb. Good enough to carry it off.

☆☆☆

MARBLE ARCH appears to be a promising contender, having demonstrated impressive performances in her previous preparation. The PER INCANTO mare scored a hollow victory in the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington alongside a BM100 victory over the mile there and another at Caulfield over 1500m. The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained six-year-old’s returned with a tidy run at Flemington for 3rd, only peaking late so don't underestimate here, but best may be 3rd-up.

☆☆


OPEN 3YO HANDICAP

RACE 3 - 1600m

BONA SFORZA / RISING STAR / JETT SMASH

A trip across for Central Districts filly BONASFORZA  
(Written By) following her win in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton didn't begin so well after landing the carpark visitors draw at Morphettville in the Australasian Oaks, standing no chance. Bona Sforza netted two stakes wins, a runner-up result in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m), and fourth placing in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), so there is some quality abour her. Gets the ace gate here and Logan Bates claims 1.5kg, so can bounce straight back.

☆☆☆☆

The Busuttin/Young trained RISING STAR does look like one and resumed with a tidy 2nd at Pakenham winding up steadily over 1400m. That was the filly's first run in Australia after winning two at Tauranga over 1200 and 1400m late last year and beat home a good one in CONFERSARA, so the ability is there. Being by the sire COMPLACENT further will be better and the mile should suit nicely second up. Expecting a top effort from this gate and has the talent to win it.

☆☆☆

JETT SMASH has been smashing them, and the only issue here is the wide draw and where he might end up in the running. The Danny O'Brien-trained BRAVE SMASH gelding won his maiden last August, then returned to win at Sale, Pakenham and Sandown Lakeside last start over 1400m. The trick here is the mile as likely to want the front and we don't see the sire as a big middle-distance producer. This is much harder and will need to go to another level.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP
RACE 5 - 1600m

OCEANA DREAM / EVERAIN / MAKDANE

OCEANA DREAM secured a significant win at this specific track and distance four weeks ago, delivering a compelling performance. The horse exhibits substantial potential for ongoing improvement and, notwithstanding the wide barrier draw, warrants considerable assessment being a nice OCEAN PARK type who thrives at the mile. Another ex-Kiwi, he won two in New Zealand earlier in the year and will measure up.

☆☆☆☆

EVERAIN has been running some great races and is a horse with plenty of upside. The Freedman's trained MANHATTAN RAIN gelding win well here at Caulfield early in the year, then swamped late up to the mile. Travelled sweetly and drove ahead to win at Sandown back to the 1400m before a short break. Kept coming down the straight resuming at Flemington and may be better equipped to handle the mile now but still a few question marks at the trip.

☆☆☆

MAKDANE resumes at the 1600m and may need a few to get going, although we like this IMPENDING gelding who has carved out a fine record and two tidy trials to prepare may have the Kent trained five-year-old forward enough ro make an impact first up. Will probably appreciate a bit further a couple of runs in, however, Molly Burke 2kg claim will soften the load and drawn to gain a sweet transit throughout the journey. Can get into this as a seriously strong galloper

☆☆

BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP
RACE - 1000m

ALONG THE RIVER / PIASTRI / PHILOSOPHER

ALONG THE RIVER is demonstrating exceptional performance for Michael & Luke Cerchi and its hard to find a knock on this WRITTEN TYCOON gelding. His victory last Wednesday on the Heath track was particularly noteworthy, as he successfully overcame an initial deficit to secure the win. This upcoming race presents a considerable challenge, yet we am confident in his ability to step up and deliver another strong effort with Billy Egan aboard.

☆☆☆☆

PIASTRI is a nice type from the Maher barn who could produce a much better run 3rd-up, although will need to go forward early and try to find a sit just in behind the speed, which could be at breakneck. Chased hard to win over 1100m at Rosehill last year, then couldn't find any dash resuming. Never saw daylight over 1150m at the Kenso last start after beinv held up until the 200m but with a bit of luck the CHOISIR gelding could fight his way into the finish and at tidy odds.

☆☆☆

PHILOSOPHER been banging away but looks the leader and we believe from the front on a firm deck he can push on with some determination from a wide draw. The ZOUSTAR gelding should be hitting peak and should be taken seriously with the weight relief as this is his pet distance. From this gate runs away and goes very close to winning in our analysis although it won’t be easy. That final 50m is where he may feel the pinch and he will be vulnerable late, but the upset horse who goes super fast and will attempt to break their hearts. The rail out 12M may be a burden or a blessing.

☆☆

BEST BET: CAPPER THIRTYNINE

NEXT BEST: OCEANA DREAM

BEST VALUE: BONA SFORZA

WILDCARD: PIASTRI