BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP

RACE 9 - 1100m

ICE KOOL / BENEVAC / HAWKER HALL

ICE KOOL was scratched from the wet track at Rosehill last week but missing that run will have little effect based on the way this three-year-old ZOUSTAR gelding has been putting them away. Won twice here over 1000m in June, the last running three wide without cover and just kept coming to prevail in the final stages. David Pfieffer has a nice young sprinter on his hands here and he can continue to develop making it 5 from 6.

☆☆☆☆

BENEVAC was super smart winning over 1100m at Randwick at the latest and just raced away from the 300m after settling on the fence leading early. Previous three runs at Rosehill were almost as strong running up on the pace but not quite being able to finish it off. The Ciaron Maher trained BIVOUAC gelding has now found his winning mojo and with this positive racing style is sure to give another good account of himself.

☆☆☆

HAWKER HALL maps well here resuming under the training of Kris Lees and at is best is s dynamic sprinter. His most recent performance was in a Provincial Championship Qualifier, where he finished a bit gassed in behind MOGUL MONARCH. Given his fresh state, the suitable distance, coupled with a strong trial performance, and JMac, the fresh up intent is obviously clear.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP

RACE 8 - 1600m

LUGH / NARBOLD / THE CREATOR

We liked the look of LUGH fresh up at Randwick but in running 4th, but it was obvious the son of SNITZEL needed the hitout returning from a five week break. Won here a year ago over 1300m on a Soft 7, then dominant up to the mile in the Tuncurry Cup. Very lightly raced by Ciaron Maher last year, although crammed with ability and will strip a ton sharper we believe.

☆☆☆☆

NARBOLD has been close up in four out of his five runs this prep and only needs to find an ounce more in the straight to get across the line first. Finished 2nd at Caulfield and Sandown in May, then 3rd in Sydney with a sound effort. Ended up unbalanced from a wide gate at Rosehill then ridden quietly at Randwick and wide up to the line for 3rd. Good enough to win this for Waller and certainly deserves one.

☆☆☆

THE CREATOR performed exceptionally well against the established pattern at Rosehill two weeks ago, doing particularly well in behind EMIRATE. Despite being positioned at the rear and wide, and forced even wider on the turn, he demonstrated serious resolve in his closing efforts. Based on this performance, the WROTE gelding certainly merits significant consideration within this competitive field.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 10 - 1300m 4YO+

SIR ARTIE / ZOUPER FUND / HIGH BLUE SEA

SIR ARTIE, representing Team Archibald is considered a strong contender coming back to the 1300m. His recent performance at 1400m three weeks ago at Rosehill was particularly noteworthy, demonstrating strong closing speed and impressive late sectionals from the rear of the field. Given his current fitness level, a more forward position during the race would significantly enhance his prospects.

☆☆☆

ZOUPER FUND looks a fair chance in this. His performance two weeks ago at Caulfield saw him positioned too far back, and while he never posed a winning threat, his closing effort in defeat was quite respectable. Should he be able to secure a more forward position or benefit from a more favourable pace, he will be a formidable contender.

☆☆☆

HIGH BLUE SEA was impressive winning at Warwick Farm switching inside runners to prevail in the concluding stages but ended up three wide without cover at Rosehill last start and it proved an insurmountable task. The MERCHANT NAVY gelding was close up to the line when 3rd at Randwick twice and he really could be the surprise horse jumping away from a tidy draw.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 6 - 1800m C&G

CELEBRITY / TRAPALANDA / HOVLAND

The resuming run of CELEBRITY ended at the 200m fresh up over the mile at Rosehill and he was poor last start, but we expect the SHOCKING gelding to present in much sharper condition for the Baker stable on better ground. Won the only two runs late last year at Wyong, then Hawkesbury over this trip and blinkers going on here try and switch him on.

☆☆☆☆

While TRAPALANDA represents a fair opportunity, his poor performance at Warwick Farm was likely impacted by a lack of race fitness, preceding a challenging event at Canterbury that really should have resulted in a victory. His prior trial run was exceptional, suggesting he is currently in good condition. Coupled with a significant jockey upgrade and a favourable barrier draw, we are more optimistic about his prospects.

☆☆☆

HOVLAND returned after a four-week hiatus, having last competed at Rosehill over the same distance where he encountered a challenging track and was unable to accelerate effectively in the final stages, finishing behind SACRIFY. Beaten at the 200m in the run back but likely to come to hand quickly within the next couple of runs. Tommy Berry gets back on as the winning jockey.

☆☆

BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1800m F&M

HORIZONS / FULL HAO / SEO LINN

HORIZONS performed creditably despite defeat against ALL KINDS OF FOLK two weeks ago at this venue. She secured a forward position early in the race and appeared to have an opportunity, yet she demonstrated commendable resilience in her performance when given the slip. Her racing style is promising, indicating clear potential for improvement from the mare.

☆☆☆☆

FULL HAO goes up to 1800m, following her recent performance last Wednesday at Warwick Farm were she raced off the pace and, despite appearing to have had an opportunity and delivered a respectable effort. The increase in distance to 1800m is anticipated to be the key, and she is entering a race that appears to lack significant depth.

☆☆☆

The imported SEO LINN from the Waller barn was highly impressive mainly in mare Highweight grade in the UK and has only had the one run at Randwick in the Chairman's (2600m) in April. Will likely need more racing to reach full fitness but the ORDER OF ST GEORGE mare has completed a couple of sprint trials to prepare. Will be an interesting one to follow from here.

☆☆

BEST BET: ICE KOOL

NEXT BEST: BENEVAC

BEST VALUE: SIR ARTIE

WILDCARD: CELEBRITY