BOB CHARLEY AO STAKES (L)

RACE 8 - 1100m

MEMORIA / GENERAL SALUTE / ROMEO'S CHOICE

The Bob Charley, Saturday's sprint feature in Sydney presents an opportunity for a horse with whom we have previously achieved success with. We are confident that MEMORIA, known for its exceptional performance when fresh, possesses the capability to measure up here and secure a favourable position from the barrier draw. Won 6 from 4 fresh up and has performed well on the track and at the distance, so well over the odds in our opinion and up to winning this following a jumpout victory at Gosford.

☆☆☆☆

The Ryan/Alexiou team present GENERAL SALUTE fresh up and this RUSSIAN REVOLUTION gelding was sound last prep in top company without winning one. Ran 3rd in the Healey at Eagle Farm last June, then 3rd behind LAZZURA in the Show County at Randwick. No match behind AUTUMN GLOW in the Gr.2 Theo Marks but still finished 2nd to the mighty mare followed by a 3rd in the Allan Brown and 2nd in the Five Diamonds Prelude behind TRANSATLANTIC. One jumpout win to prepare so just has to be the best hope in this field.

☆☆☆

ROMEO'S CHOICE presents a compelling opportunity for an investment. We anticipated a strong performance from him in the Takeover Target at Gosford upon his return, but he was positioned unfavourably during the race and did not challenge. His recent trial demonstrated promising progress, indicating he will exhibit strength in the latter stages of the competition and will be amenable to softer track conditions if they prevail. Forget that first up as likely to go much better.

☆☆

OPEN HANDICAP 3YO+

RACE 9 - 1600m

NARBOLD / GOD'S WINDOW / YET HE MOVES

Waller can score the trifecta here but in what order we're not 100% sure, although we do prefer NARBOLD down in the weights and sitting at really tidy odds. This CHURCHILL gelding won over the mile at Caulfield in Jan, then made a good return for 2nd to MAKDANE over 1600m at Caulfield before another solid effort for 2nd in tight room behind SEAFALL at Sandown-Hillside last start. Does appear well placed by the astute trainer and can win with Schiller aboard.

☆☆☆☆

GOD'S WINDOW is coming off a tidy victory in the wet at Randwick last start and the DUBAWI gelding led from the 50m to the line and was very good. Wasn't too far off them over further in the spring, finishing 2nd over 2000m at Rosehill and 2nd to ASTERIX in the Beaufort (2300m) at Newcastle. Possibly would be better suited going up in distance, although Waller is probably keen on another top run at the mile with Sienna Grima retaining the ride.

☆☆☆

The ADELAIDE gelding YET TO MOVES could be ready to produce something now, and at better odds than the other two stablemates. He has been competing up on the metro tracks in Brisbane for the past two years with good results pushing him towards half a million in earnings. Came down to compete in the Hawkesbury Cup without much luck, but was better running 3rd to GOD'S WINDOW and the key here may be the third attempt at the 1600m after three runs back.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 94 HANDICAP

RACE 7 - 1300m

MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE / IMPOSANT / POINT AND SHOOT

This draw for MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE makes it extra tough over 1300m, unless Josh Parr can rush forward quickly to position up in a handy spot, although it is hard to knock his current high class form. Regardless, these short odds make for slim pickings and we'd rather shop around in the anticipation this wide gate could prove to be a tough mission for the up-and-coming Baker star sprinter.

☆☆☆☆

Might give IMPOSANT another chance here despite a poor effort last start where we thought the mare could go much better stepping up from Midway grade, but was trapped three wide with no cover in the Gr.3 Dark Jewel and ended up the widest on straightening. Finished 2nd in the Midway quali and in the Provincial Championship Final, so the mare has been a nice little earner for Kris Lee. Drawn well here with McEvoy in the saddle and can leave an imprint with a better run.

☆☆☆

POINT AND SHOOT is expected to come on strong at the end, just like it did three weeks ago in the Luskin Star when settimg at the back before amping it up. Thr Bjorn Baker trained BLUE POINT gelding really kicked in late from behind the leaders to snag a close second place to SUN GOD. Even though it can be a bit up and down, its last race makes this horse a serious contender and we know Bjorn thinks very highly of the gelding who has been a bit out of sorts.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1000m

ISTOLEA MERC / ISLAND DEC / BIG RED TEQUILA

Bjorn Baker believes his WINNING RUPERT gelding ISTOLEA MERC can carry on improving, and he a full brother to IOWNA MERC via the SNITZEL mare MERCEDES. That horse has always looked a little special in the Baker stable, and his bro has hardly put a hoof wrong in twelve starts. Just a touch off them in the spring after winning at Warwick Farm, with a 2nd place at Canterbury Park and 3rd over 1400m at Mudgee. Trialled up nicely twice behind quality horses and fresh up the go.

☆☆☆☆

ISLAND DEC, representing Team Price, presents a significant competitive threat. This capable mare is returning to racing following two trial performances at Warwick Farm, where she demonstrated effortless speed. We were eager to observe her performance in the competitive field fresh up, but the KERMEDEC mare never got totally cleat despite chasing over 1000m at Gosford. Month between runs so could present in fine fashion ready to cause an upset.

☆☆☆

Joe Pride has a fine galloper in BIG RED TEQUILA who racked up a string of wins at Warwick and Randwick to finish the last prep and chased hard to find the front in both events. The SHAMUS AWARD mare has won 4 from 8 starts but as a lightly raced type may need this run back. Two jumpouts to prepare and tjis short course distance is most certainly het go, so no way can we rule her out jumping from this inside gate.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1400m

NITRO / CROSSBOW / HIGH BLUE SEA

NITRO possesses the ability to blow them off the park in the last event and the three-year-old DEEP FIELD gelding ram on well for 2nd resuming at Scone. Arrived late to win on debut at Warwick Farm followed by two placings over 1200m at Rosehill. The Peter Snowden trained galloper will need to step it up once again but he obviously has a strong constitution and can go very close to winning.

☆☆☆☆

Chris Waller has demonstrated excellent horsemanship in developing CROSSBOW through the various BM grades since its two-year-old season, exhibiting a consistent and progressive pattern since his departure from age-restricted competition. Pretty good chasing hard but couldn't reel in winner over 1400m at Randwick last start, although it was a sound 2nd-up effort and the BETTER THAN READY gelding should be in peak shape now.

☆☆☆

HIGH BLUE SEA should do well with the longer 1400m race, especially after his last run at Randwick's Kensington track over 1250m where he was in a good spot last time, just off the pace, and looked like he was going to win, but he just wasn't fit enough being first-up. Now that he's in harder condtion and going a bit further, he should perform really well.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 4 - 1600m

NASEBAH / BRAVISSIMA/ AMREEKIYAH

Despite the reduced distance, NASEBAH remains a formidable competitor. Her debut performance in Australia at Kenso was exceptionally impressive. While the race conditions favored her attributes, her decisive burst of speed and subsequent victory unequivocally demonstrated her capability as a Stakes-level athlete. We eagerly anticipate her future endeavors.

☆☆☆☆☆

BRAVISSIMA, under the guidance of Matty Dale, presents a formidable challenge and is considered a top contender. Her recent performances have been commendable, particularly her last outing over 1400m two weeks prior, where she demonstrated a strong finish despite not posing a direct threat. With her current fitness level and a preference for the 1600m distance, she is expected to deliver a strong performance.

☆☆☆

The JUSTIFY mare AMREEKIYAH is a nice progressive type from the Snowden stable who won at Kembla and Newcastle early last year before another over 1250m at Canterbury Park coming back. Couldn't get up in the next few at BM78 grade before returning with a nice fresh up win over 1400m at Randwick in February. No match for MODELLA in the concluding stages at Rosehill and only clear late up to 1700m at Scone last start, so well up for this.

☆☆

MIDWAY HANDICAP

RACE 2 - 1500m

HORIZONS / FLYING EMBERS / FORBIDDEN RIFF

HORIZONS is anticipated to perform well in this upcoming race, following her previous outing four weeks ago at Gosford and we're keen to catch this mare at decent odds. While outpaced in her return over 1200m, her persistent pursuit and strong finish were commendable. Looks well setup for this event, especially since she was never troubled to coast home by almost six lengths from the smart KING OF ROSEAU in her last trial. Should be ready to fly.

☆☆☆☆

FLYING EMBERS is better than most of these Midway types but finds herself drawn out in the cheap seats for this one. Nash on top will help, and the fact the 1500m at Randwick should allow for time to get in somewhere safe before launching late. Look for the SHALAA mare to be chasing hard at the sharp end of the race.

☆☆☆

FORBIDDEN RIFF is a reasonably handy galloper and his campaign over the Christmas period was very impressive. Won at Hawkesbury, the Beaudesert before Zac Lloyd provided a fine ride to win over 2100m at Gosford and had no luck when trapped wide when 2nd over 2400m at Rosehill in January. Kept going fresh up but couldn't quicken over 1400m at Randwick, so this step up in distance could suit 2nd-up.

☆☆

BEST BET: NASEBAH

NEXT BEST: NITRO

BEST VALUE: NARBOLD

WILDCARD: MEMORIA