QUALITY HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 2000m

GILDED WATER / STAR OF INDIA / SMOKIN' ROMANS

King Charlie's horse GILDED WATER hit the endurance trail over the Cup period after blazing away in late 2024. The royally-bred FASTNET ROCK gelding was solid winning over 1800m at Caulfield in Sept, then backed that up running clear over 2000m. Tired for 3rd in the Bart Cummings (2350m) then overhauled late in the Geelong Cup (2400m) before a well-earned spell. Trainer Ciaron Maher is clearly impressed with how well he's come up after Gilded Water’s recent 1400-metre trial win. The focus is the spring so likely to improve in a light campaign.

☆☆☆☆☆

STAR OF INDIA was much better running 2nd over 2000m at Flemington last start and it didn't hurt getting onto thr winners back and gaining a drag through to the line. The Chris Waller-trained GALILEO gelding typically needs things to fall his way and a firm track to shine, however this prep he has shown glimpses of brilliance and with a bit more luck would have racked up a win during the campaign. Won the Gr.3 JRA Cup in fine style at Moonee in the autumn and if that horse turns up - look out.

☆☆☆

Never underestimate SMOKIN' ROMANS who is a demon front-runner capable of stretching any field on his day. Won the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth (2600m) last November after speeding out to a lead before fighting hard for 2nd behind ARAPAHO in the Gr.2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield. Sound 3rd in the Mornington Cup surviving the late swoopers in the Warrnambool Cup (2350m). No good at Moonee Valley before a quality run for 2nd to REVELARE over 2000m at Caulfield, then beaten off in the Gr.1 Underwood (1800m) which was a bit rich. Well suited at this distance and can make a race of it.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1400m

BIG SWINGER / TUF TU MUS / ROADCONE

BIG SWINGER had a 2/2 record to commence his career for Charlotte Littlefield, both victories over 1200m at Ballarat. With each race, he demonstrated improvement, suggesting that he will thrive in the 1400m distance. Finished 2nd in the Fisher Stakes at Flemington, then went full bore late when running 3rd in the Testa Rossa at Caulfield. Pounced on them at Flemington shouldering his way through four wide and kept kicking despite chasing stride to win with some authority.

☆☆☆☆

TUF TU MUS is coming off a trial win at Traralgon and recently changed from David Vandyke to the Hayes boys, so this will be his first start for the stable. Absolutely nailed it up in Queensland from late 2024, winning seven straight up until August 2025 here over 1815m with well spaced racing and looking every part a good type. Hasn't raced since January but could run a cheeky one and just ignore this wide gate.

☆☆☆

ROADCONE was super fine in winning last start and if the ALMANZOR gelding starts for the Moody/Coleman team expect natural improvement to put him right amongst come go time. We thought he was really undervalued over the 1400m at Flemington, gaining the perfect passage through despite not beginning all that well from gate (12). Much better draw here to receive early cover and sitting on a fair weight, although thid is the most even race of the day if you wish to play away from the favourite.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 1100m

NEXT STEP IOWA / LUNA CAT / DELICATE LADY

We expect the BRAZEN BEAU mare NEXT STEP IOWA to perform up to expectations once again following two impressive wins at Pakenham and Mornington. Cruised away from the 250m to dick them at Pakenham, then hook out wide from midfield to produce a nice finale and take out a 1000m race on a Heavy 8 at Mornington, so some moisture about is not an issue. Drawn the inside here and down on s featherweight so she will be very hard to stop this momentum.

☆☆☆☆

LUNA CAT competed over 1100m during the Warrnambool Carnival with a tidy 2nd following a 3rd at Terang. In her previous race, she was positioned off the pace and encountered some interference before finding clear running. She finished strongly, narrowly missing victory and placing second to SALSA FELLOW. Her current form is good enough, and this particular race appears to be well within her capabilities.

☆☆☆

DELICATE LADY is coming off a win at Mornington for Jerome Hunter and this INFERENCE mare kept up a strong clip to gain the uppet hand over the concluding stages. Revved up four wide over 1000m at Caulfield Heath the run prior, looming up at the 200m before being outkicked to the line by ELECTRIC STAR. She really is a super reliable mare at 1100m or less and despite not having the class of a few here, her genuine nature and determined spirit has her in the frame for us.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 84 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1100m F&M

BAZABALL REWARDED / KA YING CHEER / SALSA FELLOW

BAZABALL REWARDED has been knocking it out of the park and nailed a couple of nice shots winning two over 1000m at Mornington in December before resuming with a 1000m win here resuming and was always in control. Ran a great race for 5th returning but hampered by the Heavy track but amped it up to win again at Sandown with a great Jamie Mott ride. Looks hard to stop.

☆☆☆☆

KA YING CHEER is another running extremely well for Team Hayes since returning from Hong Kong and this gelding winds up with real intent so shown when claiming victory last start. Won three in a row before a freshen up and a 3rd at Bendigo before leading near the line and only caught late at the 50m mark. Enough experience on this coutse to be prominent once again and this draw will work in his favour.

☆☆☆

SALSA FELLOW has an awkward gate to overcome here although it is hard to knock his recent formline and with some like can charge into it late with any significant rain an added bonus. Raced three wide throughout to win in a Heavy 10 at Terang and take all honours before getting up on the line with a super effort at Warrnambool, also on a testing track. Finished 4th in the Gold Topaz at Swan Hill last start and can bounce back with conditions to suit.

☆☆

BEST BET: GILDED WATER

NEXT BEST: NEXT STEP IOWA

BEST VALUE: KA YING CHEER

WILDCARD: LUNA CAT